Air Freight
The most reliable air freight forwarder in China
In an ever-changing global economy, businesses increasingly seek fast and efficient shipping solutions for their products. Air freight from China has emerged as a popular and reliable option for importing goods quickly and securely.
This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information about air freight from China. We will cover topics such as air freight rates, the cost of air freight, and the step-by-step process of shipping air cargo from China. Whether you are a seasoned importer or new to the industry, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate the world of air freight and make informed decisions for your business.
About air freight
What is air freight ？
Air freight, a swift and efficient mode of transportation, involves the conveyance of goods by aircraft from one airport to another. When it comes to shipping large packages, such as furniture, car parts, and other voluminous items, air freight from China to USA and overseas destinations emerges as one of the fastest cross-boder logistics options available.
Before arranging air freight from a Chinese supplier to your destination, familiarize yourself with documentation requirements, transit times, charge weight calculations, and estimated rates. This knowledge helps prevent deception by unscrupulous China shipping agents regarding pricing and charge weight.
Why Choose Air Freight?
Air freight offers numerous advantages that make it a preferred choice for businesses. Here are some reasons why businesses opt for air freight:
- Speed: Air freight is renowned for its unparalleled speed. It allows goods to reach their destination within days, offering a significant time advantage over other modes of transport like sea or land.
- Reliability: Airlines adhere to strict schedules, resulting in more reliable arrival and departure times, which results in fewer delays and ensures timely delivery of goods.
- Global Reach: Air freight provides extensive global coverage, allowing businesses to ship their products to any global market.
- Security: Airports maintain stringent security measures, enhancing the safety of goods during transit.
Air shipping services: choosing the right option
For air freight from China, businesses can choose various service options based on their specific requirements and budget.
Economical air shipping:
Economical air freight is a cost-effective option with a longer transit time. Shipments using this service take around 7 to 14 days to arrive at their destination.
Standard air shipping:
Standard air freight service strikes a balance between cost and speed. It offers a moderate transit time, with shipments usually taking between 3 to 5 days to reach their destination.
Urgent shipping:
Urgent air freight service is the fastest option, ensuring swift delivery. With this service, cargo can arrive in as little as 2 days, making it ideal for time-sensitive shipments.
Air Freight and Cross-border E-commerce
The rise of e-commerce has made air freight an essential tool for online businesses. In this digital age, products are prepared and packaged in China and shipped directly to customers or e-commerce platforms such as Amazon.
Air freight provides a vital advantage to e-commerce businesses by enabling faster product delivery. This enhances customer satisfaction and boosts competitiveness in the online marketplace.
Understanding Air Shipping Rates
Air shipping rates are influenced by several factors, including the weight and volume of the shipment, the type of goods being transported, the origin and destination of the cargo, and the chosen service type. Typically, air shipping costs are calculated based on the weight of the shipment per kilogram. However, if the cargo is light but occupies a large volume, the volumetric weight is used for billing purposes.
- Weight and Volume:
The concept of “chargeable weight” is applied, which considers both the actual and volumetric weights of the shipment. The higher of the two is used to calculate the freight cost.
- Fuel and Security Surcharges:
Air shipping rates incorporate additional charges for fuel and security. These surcharges are necessary to account for the fluctuating fuel costs and the stringent security measures implemented within the air freight industry.
- Other Charges:
Additional charges may be associated with air freight, such as container freight station fees, terminal handling charges, and airport transfers. These charges vary depending on the specific requirements and services involved in the transportation process.
Which documents do we need for air freight shipments from China?
When beginning air freight from China, please ensure the completion and accuracy of several crucial documents. We recommend the following:
Airway Bill
When using air freight service from China to other countries, an Airway Bill is issued. This document contains essential information like sender and receiver details, quantity, cubic meterage, gross weight, shipping time, estimated time of departure (ETD), and more.
Commercial Invoice
The commercial invoice is required by customs authorities to determine the value of imported goods, and identify the buyer and seller, provide the sale date and conditions, specify quantity and weight or volume, and unit and total values. Detailed commercial invoice facilitates smooth customs declaration and prevents delays in customs procedures.
Insurance Certificate
Shipping insurance certificates furnish specific information about the insurance coverage associated with the shipment. These documents confirm the type of policy, terms and conditions, and the contract number with the insurance company.
Packing List
The packing list serves as an inventory document, providing a detailed account of the cargo. It should include the same information as the commercial invoice to ensure consistency.
Certificate of Origin (C/O)
A certificate of origin, also known as a C/O or Form A. It helps establish the country of origin for exported goods, providing evidence of their manufacturing origin.
Delivery Order
The delivery order serves as proof of the carrier’s obligation to deliver the goods to the consignee or their authorized representative.
Besides the 6 basic documents for air freight, there are some special documents needed depending on the destination Country and product name.
Get in touch with us now to clarify the specific documents required for your shipments !
How long does it take for air freight shipments from China to arrive?
The shipping time for air freight from your China supplier factory to your local airport or destination door consists of three components:
1. Pick up time
The Pick up time typically ranges from 1 to 3 days, depending on the distance between your China supplier factory and the selected airport in China. If the factory is located in the same city as the export airport, pick up can be completed within a few hours. However, if the supplier is based in northern China and the shipment needs to be transported to southern China airports for lower unit prices, the pick up process usually takes 2 to 3 days.
2. Air freight time
The Air freight time from airport to airport generally takes 1 to 3 days. In cases where a direct flight is available, the transit time can be as short as a few hours. However, if the shipment requires a transit at a middle airport before reaching the final destination, the overall air freight time can extend to 1 to 3 days.
3. Delivery time
The Delivery time typically requires 2 to 3 days. Prior to dispatch, each shipment undergoes entry customs declaration, which usually takes 1 to 2 days.
How is the billing weight for air freight calculated?
Billing weight for air freight shipment follows the following principles:
- If the gross weight (actual weight) of the shipment is greater than the volumetric weight (dimensional weight), the final billing weight for that shipment is the gross weight.
- If the volumetric weight exceeds the gross weight, the final billing weight for that shipment is the volumetric weight.
Gross weight > volumetic weight
The gross (actual) weight refers to the total weight of the cargo, encompassing both the shipments and the pallets.
Consider a pallet with dimensions of 120cm * 110cm * 100cm and a gross weight of 300KG.
To calculate the volumetric or dimensional weight, we use the formula: (120cm * 110cm * 100cm) / 6000 = 220 kg.
Comparing the gross weight of the pallet (300 kg) to the volumetric or dimensional weight (220 kg), the gross weight exceeds the volumetric weight.
Therefore, the pallet final billing weight for the pallet would be 300 kg.
Volumetic weight > gross weight
Volumetric weight is determined based on the dimensions of the cartons the length, width, and height.
Take a sofa set as an example, the gross weight of the sofa is 80KG, and the dimensions of the sofa package are as follows: length 250cm, width 100cm, and height 110cm.
Volumetric weight : (250 * 100 * 110)cm / 6000 = 458.3KG ≈ 454KG.
Comparing the volumetric weight (454 kg) to the gross weight (80 kg), so the volumetric weight exceeds the gross weight.
Therefore, the sofa billing weight should be 454KG.
Send us your shipment's packing list
our expert team will calculate the chargeable weight within 5 minutes of receiving your inquiry. Benefit from our efficient services to optimize your shipping process and make well-informed decisions.
What are the shipping rates for air freight from China?
Air freight costs from China to overseas destinations typically consist of two components:
01.
Pick-up cost in China
The pick up cost is relatively low. Selecting NewSmartShip as your freight forwarder , we offer the added benefit of complimentary pick-up services from your suppliers’ factory for small shipments.
For larger shipments with substantial weight, it is important to provide us with the precise pick-up address and the designated airport in China to ensure accurate pricing.
02.
Air freight costs
The air freight cost incurred from the airport in China to another country‘s airport.
Air freight costs from China to different countries are subject to frequent changes, making providing exact quotations with unit prices challenging. However, if you need a rough cost estimate for a project budget, the following ranges can be used as a reference:
- Air freight cost from China to the United States: $5-$9 per kg
- Air freight cost from China to European countries: $6-$10 per kg
- Air freight cost from China to Australia: $6-$10 per kg
- Air freight cost from China to Africa: $10-$15 per kg
These figures are approximate and should be used as an initial reference only. Consulting with a freight forwarder or logistics provider is recommended for accurate and up-to-date pricing information based on your specific shipment requirements.
Directly inquire about prices with us
To ensure you receive the exact and most competitive price, we highly recommend submitting an inquiry directly to us before each shipment. This proactive approach will help you avoid any financial losses resulting from unfavorable shipping decisions.
Top Export Airports in China
Top 10 export airports in China
Beijing Capital International Airport
The Beijing airport is one of two international airports located in the Chinese capital city, Beijing.
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
Situated in the southern region of China, the airport is conveniently located just an hour away from Hong Kong by car or train.
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
Situated in the capital city of Zhejiang province, Hangzhou, Xiaoshan International Airport serves as a significant transportation hub for the region, which connecting to major cities across Asia and even Europe
Fuzhou Changle International Airport
Recognized as one of China’s significant airports, holds a unique distinction as an “autodrome.”
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Major airport in Chengdu, China, serving domestic and international flights.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
It is one of the busiest airports in China and a major aviation hub, connecting China with destinations worldwide and providing crucial logistics services.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Located on the outskirts of Guangzhou City, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is the second busiest airport in China.
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport
It serves as a gateway for various airlines, including Delta, American Airlines, United Airlines, and more. Also, the airport offers connections to major cities worldwide, enhancing global connectivity.
Xi’an Xianyang International Airport
The busiest airports in Northwest China and serves as a key transportation hub for the region. The airport offers a wide range of domestic and international flights, connecting Xi’an to many cities worldwide.
Kunming Changshui International Airport
Kunming Changshui International Airport is the main airport that caters to Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan Province in China.
What benefits can you get from our air freight service?
Our company offers 6 benefits for air freight service, which have led to our longstanding partnerships with our many clients for over 8 years.
1. You can get FREE collecting and warehousing services.
Collecting and shipping these cargo together can be difficult if you need to purchase goods from different suppliers. Considering these needs, our company offers free warehousing services, which presents a valuable opportunity for your imports from China.
2. Customs clearance support.
We assist in customs clearance for Chinese exports and entry into the destination country. You can depend on our expertise and customs cooperation to facilitate the smooth importation of any desired products to your country.
3. Picking-up cargo service in China.
NewSmartShip offers a cargo pick-up service in mainland China. We have built a strong cargo shipping network with many logistics companies in China, which allows us to provide a cost-effective pick-up service and proves more economical than having your suppliers directly ship goods to our warehouse.
4. The most cost-effective shipping insurance.
We recommend buying shipping insurance, especially for high-value commercial goods, to provide added protection. We assist in obtaining insurance at competitive rates without handling fees, ensuring a safer journey for your goods.
5. Free inspection of your cargo.
If you want to confirm whether the product your supplier sent is correct, we will provide free unpacking and inspection services when the goods arrive at our warehouse.
6. Shipping time guarantee for all your Express freight shipments.
We prioritize timely shipping for your express freight cargo, ensuring prompt delivery to your destination.
FAQ
The estimated transit time for air freight from China is about 3-5 days. However, to provide you with a more precise reference time for your shipment, please provide us with the pickup address in China and the airport in the destination country.
To track your air cargo, you can visit the airline’s website and locate the “Track Shipments” section. Enter your AWB number in the designated field, and the website will generate the necessary information, including air route details, tracking report, status updates, and estimated time of arrival for your shipment.
