Key Takeaways

• Air Freight is suitable for shipments where speed is a priority, such as urgent goods, spare parts, high-value products, samples, and goods with a limited shelf life.
• Air freight charges are not based solely on actual weight. Actual Weight is compared with Volumetric Weight to determine the Chargeable Weight.
• Shipments containing batteries, liquids, chemicals, perfume, or Dangerous Goods must be checked against the relevant requirements before Booking.
• Flight Time is not the same as total Transit Time, which may also include Pickup, Customs, Handling, Transshipment, and Delivery.
• Before requesting a quote, prepare complete information about the goods, number of packages, dimensions after packing, weight, origin and destination, and any special requirements.

International freight can be transported in several ways, including by sea, road, and air. Air Freight, or the transportation of goods by aircraft, is a suitable option for businesses that prioritize time and need goods to move between countries faster than many other transportation methods.

However, Air Freight is not suitable for every shipment. Its costs are often higher than those of sea freight, and it is also subject to restrictions concerning dimensions, weight, cargo type, and air transportation safety.

Before choosing air transportation, consider the goods, timing, cost, dimensions, weight, and destination requirements together.

What Is Air Freight?

Air Freight is the transportation of goods by aircraft, either internationally or between airports.

A shipment process may include:

Pickup → Export Customs → Airport Handling → Flight → Destination Handling → Import Customs → Delivery

Air transportation therefore does not refer only to the time goods spend on an aircraft. Several Logistics Processes take place before and after the Flight.

The Service Scope may vary, for example:

• Airport to Airport
• Door to Airport
• Airport to Door
• Door to Door

Shippers should confirm exactly which points are covered by the service provider’s quote.

Are Air Freight and Air Cargo Different?

In general usage, Air Freight and Air Cargo are often used to refer to air transportation of goods in similar ways.

Air Freight is commonly used when discussing a transportation service or its charges, while Air Cargo may refer to the cargo itself or the system for transporting goods through an Airline.

For customers, the terminology matters less than checking that the following details match the actual shipment:

• Service Scope
• Airline
• Flight Schedule
• Airport
• Chargeable Weight
• Cargo Requirement
• Customs Process

Suggested Internal Link: What Is Air Cargo? Air Freight and the Types of Goods It Is Suitable For

What Types of Goods Are Suitable for Air Freight?

Air Freight is suitable for goods whose transportation time has business value.

Examples of goods commonly considered for Air Freight include:

• Urgent goods
• Machinery spare parts
• Electronic Components
• High-value products
• Samples
• Fashion and Seasonal Products
• Products for a Product Launch
• Goods requiring urgent Stock replenishment
• Certain types of Perishable Cargo
• Certain Medical or Pharmaceutical Products
• Goods with a limited Lead Time

However, belonging to one of these groups does not automatically mean the goods can be shipped by air. Check the requirements for each item before Booking.

1. Urgent Goods

One of the main reasons businesses choose Air Freight is speed.

For example, a factory’s machinery may stop working and require an urgent Spare Part.

If the factory waits several weeks for Sea Freight, Production Downtime may cause losses greater than the difference in air freight charges.

In this situation, the business should compare:

Air Freight Cost

with

Cost of Delay

rather than looking only at which transportation option is cheaper.

2. High-Value Goods

Goods with high value relative to their weight and Volume may be suitable for Air Freight.

Examples include:

• Electronic Components
• Precision Parts
• High-value Equipment
• Certain Luxury Goods

The higher Freight cost may represent only a small proportion of the goods’ value.

However, high-value goods also require consideration of:

• Security
• Packaging
• Cargo Insurance
• Handling
• Declaration

3. Samples and Products for Market Testing

Businesses selecting suppliers or developing new products may not need to ship a full Container.

Air Freight is suitable for sending:

• Product Samples
• Prototypes
• First Lots
• Trial Orders
• Goods for Quality Inspection

This can reduce Waiting Time before deciding whether to place a commercial order.

Once Volume increases, compare Air Freight with Sea Freight again.

4. Fashion and Seasonal Products

Fashion, Seasonal Products, and goods with limited selling windows may lose business opportunities if they arrive too late.

Examples include:

• New Collections
• Christmas Products
• New Year Products
• Campaign Products
• Event Merchandise

If the goods arrive after the selling period, the business may lose Sales Opportunities even if Sea Freight would have cost less.

Logistics planning should therefore also consider the time available to sell the goods.

5. Goods with a Limited Shelf Life

Some products are not suitable for long Transit Times, such as:

• Certain types of fresh food
• Fruit
• Flowers
• Certain food ingredients
• Products with a limited shelf life

Air Freight can help reduce Transportation Time.

However, if the goods require temperature control, the Cold Chain must be planned from Pickup and Airport Handling through the Flight and Destination Delivery. Do not consider only the time spent in the air.

6. Goods Requiring Urgent Stock Replenishment

Businesses may use Air Freight as part of their Inventory Strategy.

For example, the main stock may be shipped by sea, but demand exceeds the Forecast. The business can then import part of the stock by air to help prevent a Stockout.

A plan may look like this:

Air Freight = Emergency / Urgent Replenishment

and

Sea Freight = Regular Replenishment

This can help balance Speed and Cost.

What Types of Goods May Not Be Suitable for Air Freight?

Air Freight may not be cost-effective for certain goods, such as:

• Products with very low value per Unit
• Bulky goods
• Heavy goods
• Large quantities of Commodities
• Large Furniture
• Large volumes of Raw Materials
• Non-urgent shipments
• Goods that do not meet Airline requirements

Freight per Unit may be too high for the Business Model.

In such cases, Sea Freight or Road Freight may be worth comparing.

What 7 Factors Should You Consider Before Choosing Air Freight?

Choosing air transportation should involve more than asking whether the goods need to arrive quickly. At least seven factors should be considered together.

1. Urgency

When must the goods arrive, and what would happen if they arrived late?

2. Product Value

What percentage of the Product Value does the Freight cost represent?

3. Weight and Dimensions

How heavy are the goods, and how much space do they occupy?

4. Type of Goods

Are they General Cargo, Perishable goods, batteries, liquids, or Dangerous Goods?

5. Route

Does the Origin and Destination have suitable Flight options?

6. Customs and Permits

Do the goods require additional documents or permits?

7. Total Logistics Cost

In addition to Air Freight, what are the costs of Pickup, Handling, Customs, and Delivery?

Consider all seven factors before making a decision.

How Is Air Freight Charged by Weight?

Air Freight is not based solely on Actual Weight.

The following are compared:

• Actual Weight
• Volumetric Weight

The higher value is used as the Chargeable Weight, subject to the service’s terms and conditions.

What Is Actual Weight?

Actual Weight is the actual weight of a Package after Packing.

For example:

A packed shipment weighs 50 kg.

Actual Weight = 50 kg

What Is Volumetric Weight?

Volumetric Weight converts a Package’s dimensions into a weight value to reflect the space the Cargo occupies on an aircraft.

A commonly used formula for estimating Air Cargo weight is:

Width × Length × Height (cm) ÷ 6,000

For example, a Package measures:

60 × 50 × 40 cm

The calculation is:

60 × 50 × 40 ÷ 6,000 = 20 kg

If Actual Weight = 12 kg,

Volumetric Weight = 20 kg.

Therefore, 20 kg may be used as the Chargeable Weight.

Always check the actual formula and terms with the Airline or Forwarder, as they may differ between services.

Why Does Packaging Affect Air Freight Costs?

Because Freight calculations use the dimensions after Packing.

The product itself may be small, but if it is placed in an unnecessarily large box, its Volumetric Weight can increase.

Products that commonly encounter this issue include:

• Lamps
• Decorative Items
• Furniture Components
• Plastic Products
• Lightweight products packed in large boxes

Businesses should design Packaging to be:

Safe + No More Voluminous Than Necessary

Suggested Internal Link: How to Pack Goods Safely: 5 Ways to Reduce Damage During International Shipping

Can Products Containing Batteries Be Shipped by Air?

Some types can be shipped, but the details must be checked before Booking.

Lithium Batteries in particular are subject to specific air transportation requirements.

Information to provide includes:

• Battery Type
• Lithium-ion or Lithium Metal
• Whether the Battery is installed in equipment or shipped separately
• Number of Batteries
• Watt-hours
• Specification
• Packaging
• Relevant documents, where applicable

For products such as:

• Laptop
• Power Bank
• Electronic Device
• Bluetooth Device
• Battery Pack

Do not tell the Freight Forwarder only that the goods are “Electronic Products.”

Clearly state whether they contain Batteries.

Can Perfume, Liquids, and Chemicals Be Shipped by Air Freight?

Some can, but it is necessary to check whether they qualify as Dangerous Goods.

Products that should be specifically declared include:

• Perfume
• Aerosol
• Spray
• Paint
• Glue
• Chemicals
• Alcohol-based Products
• Flammable Liquids

Potentially required information includes:

• SDS / MSDS
• UN Number
• Hazard Class
• Packing Group
• Flash Point
• Quantity
• Packaging

Airlines may have different Acceptance Policies depending on the Route and Aircraft.

Check the requirements before delivering the goods to the Warehouse or Booking the Flight.

What Are Dangerous Goods?

Dangerous Goods (DG) are goods with properties that may pose a risk to:

• Aircraft
• Passengers
• Crew
• Cargo
• The Environment

during Transportation.

The term does not refer only to visibly hazardous chemicals.

Some everyday products may also be classified as DG, including:

• Batteries
• Perfume
• Spray
• Paint
• Magnets
• Dry Ice
• Chemical Products

Detailed Product Information is therefore important for Air Freight.

What Documents Are Required for Air Freight?

A commercial shipment may generally require documents such as:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Air Waybill
• Export Customs Declaration
• Import Customs Declaration, as required by the destination country
• Certificate of Origin, where applicable
• Export / Import Permit
• Product Certificate
• SDS / MSDS for relevant goods
• Dangerous Goods Documentation, where applicable

The actual documents depend on the product type, Origin, and Destination.

Do not use the same checklist for every type of goods without checking the applicable regulations.

What Is an Air Waybill (AWB)?

An Air Waybill is a Transport Document for air cargo.

It may include:

• Shipper
• Consignee
• Airport of Departure
• Airport of Destination
• Number of Packages
• Gross Weight
• Cargo Description
• Flight / Routing Information, as shown on the document

The information on the AWB should be linkable to the following documents for the same shipment:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Customs Declaration

Can Air Freight Be Shipped Door to Door?

Yes, depending on the Service Scope offered by the service provider.

Examples include:

Airport to Airport

The service provider handles the Main Air Freight from the origin airport to the destination airport.

Door to Airport

The goods are collected from the origin Address and delivered to the destination Airport.

Airport to Door

The service begins at the origin Airport and continues to the destination Address.

Door to Door

The service covers Pickup at the origin and Delivery to the destination Address, according to the agreed Scope.

However, Door to Door does not always mean that Duty and Tax are included. Check the Quote before Booking.

Suggested Internal Link: What Is the Difference Between Door to Door, Door to Port, and Port to Port? How to Choose the Right Option for Your Shipment

What Is the Difference Between Flight Time and Transit Time?

Flight Time is the time the aircraft spends travelling.

However, a shipment’s Transit Time covers more, including:

• Pickup
• Export Customs
• Cargo Acceptance
• Waiting for Flight
• Flight
• Transshipment
• Destination Handling
• Import Customs
• Inspection
• Final Delivery

A flight that takes six hours does not mean the goods will reach the recipient within six hours.

Before Booking, ask for the shipment’s Estimated Transit Time, rather than looking only at Flight Duration.

Is a Direct Flight Always Better Than a Transit Flight?

A Direct Flight can reduce the number of transfer points and may shorten Transit Time, but it is not always the best option.

Consider:

• Flight Frequency
• Space Availability
• Rate
• Cargo Acceptance
• Destination Airport
• Cut-off Time

Some connecting routes have more frequent flights and may suit a shipment better than a Direct Flight with limited departures.

Does the Destination Airport Affect Freight Costs?

Yes.

Major airports with high Flight Frequency and Cargo Volume may offer more options than smaller airports.

If the Destination is far from a major airport, include the following costs:

• Truck Delivery
• Destination Handling
• Remote Delivery

Sometimes, choosing an airport with a lower Freight rate but a longer distance to the Consignee can increase the Total Logistics Cost compared with another route.

What Costs Are Included in Air Freight?

The total cost is not limited to the Air Freight Rate.

It may include:

• Pickup
• Origin Handling
• Export Customs Clearance
• Documentation
• Airport Handling
• Air Freight
• Fuel / Security Surcharge, according to the terms
• Dangerous Goods Charge, where applicable
• Destination Handling
• Import Customs Clearance
• Duty & Tax
• Storage
• Delivery

Before comparing Quotes, check whether the service is:

• Airport to Airport
• Door to Airport
• Door to Door

Also check which costs are included or excluded from each quote.

What Is the Difference Between Air Freight and Air Courier?

Both use aircraft, but their Service Models differ.

Air Courier

Suitable for:

• Parcels
• Small Shipments
• Express Delivery
• Door to Door service through a Courier Network

Tracking and Last-Mile delivery are generally handled within the provider’s network.

Air Freight

Suitable for:

• Commercial Cargo
• Shipments with greater weight or Volume
• Cargo requiring Flight arrangements
• Shipments requiring Customs and Handling to be managed as separate steps
• Airport to Airport or business-specific Service Scopes

Do not choose based only on the price per kilogram because the Service Scope may differ.

Suggested Internal Link: What Is Air Courier? Which Goods Are Suitable for Door-to-Door International Shipping?

Air Freight or Sea Freight: Which Should You Choose?

When choosing between Air and Sea, consider four main factors.

Time

Air is faster on many routes.

Volume

Sea is generally more suitable for shipments with very high Volume.

Cost

Air has a higher Freight cost per Unit when goods are bulky or heavy.

Inventory

Air can help reduce Lead Time and the amount of stock that must remain in transit.

Businesses should therefore consider Total Supply Chain Cost, not just the Freight Rate.

What Information Should You Prepare Before Requesting an Air Freight Quote?

Prepare the following information:

• Product Name
• Product Description
• Product Images
• Number of Packages
• Dimensions after Packing
• Gross Weight per Package
• Total Weight
• Packaging Type
• Stackable / Non-Stackable
• Origin Country and City
• Pickup Address
• Destination Country and City
• Delivery Address
• Incoterms
• Ready Date
• Whether the goods contain Batteries
• Whether the goods are Liquids
• Whether the goods are Chemicals
• Whether the goods are Dangerous Goods
• Temperature Requirement
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List

The more complete the information, the more accurately the Forwarder can select a Flight and estimate Freight costs for the actual shipment.

Checklist Before Shipping Goods by Air

Before Booking, check:

• Whether the goods are suitable for Air Freight
• Product Regulation
• HS Code
• Permit
• Dangerous Goods Status
• Battery / Liquid / Chemical status
• Dimensions after Packing
• Gross Weight
• Chargeable Weight
• Origin and Destination Airport
• Flight Schedule
• Customs Documents
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Cargo Insurance, as appropriate
• Service Scope
• Estimated Transit Time
• Final Freight Quote

Checking everything before the goods arrive at the Airport helps reduce the risk of cargo being held or rejected at Cargo Acceptance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Freight (FAQ)

Is Air Freight Suitable for Heavy Goods?

Heavy goods can be shipped by air, but the Weight and Dimensions per Package and the aircraft’s limitations must be checked. Heavy or Oversize cargo may require a specific Route or Aircraft, and Sea Freight should also be considered.

Is Air Freight Calculated Based Only on Actual Weight?

No. Actual Weight is generally compared with Volumetric Weight, and the higher value is used as the Chargeable Weight, subject to the service’s terms.

Can Goods Containing Batteries Be Shipped by Air?

Some types can, but the Battery Specification, Packaging, Documentation, and Airline Acceptance must be checked before Booking.

How Many Days Does Air Freight Take?

There is no fixed transit time. It depends on the Route, Flight Schedule, Transshipment, Customs, Handling, and Service Scope. Ask for an Estimated Transit Time for the actual shipment.

Is Air Freight Always Door to Door?

No. It can be Airport to Airport, Door to Airport, Airport to Door, or Door to Door, depending on the selected service.

Which Is Cheaper: Air Freight or Air Courier?

There is no universal answer. It depends on weight, dimensions, Route, cargo type, and Service Scope. Compare the Total Cost for the same shipment.

Air Freight Services with CPL INTER

CPL INTER provides international air freight services, along with Pickup, Packing, Shipping Documents, and Customs procedures according to the Service Scope agreed for each shipment.

To obtain an Air Freight estimate, prepare the product name, images, number of packages, dimensions after Packing, weight, origin and destination, Ready Date, and any special cargo requirements. The CPL INTER team can then help review the Route and suitable transportation options before Booking.

Tel: 02-519-4426 / 091-519-4426
LINE: @cplinter

Written by: CPL Inter Logistics Operations Team, specialists in international freight transportation and Customs procedures, with more than 15 years of experience and a commitment to internationally recognized quality management standards under ISO 9001:2015.