What is Air Freight?
Air freight, in the context of freight forwarding, refers to the transportation of goods from one airport to another using passenger or cargo aircraft. This allows people to quickly and efficiently receive the goods they have purchased, and it is also one of the most important modes of transportation in international trade.
What is an air freight forwarder?
An air freight forwarder refers to a company that provides air freight services, offering logistics, transportation and cargo handling services to customers. Typically, air freight forwarders work with airlines, customs and other relevant agencies to ensure that goods can be smoothly transported from the point of origin to the destination.
The responsibilities of an air freight forwarder may include coordinating the transport and delivery of goods, handling customs clearance and related documentation, arranging cargo insurance, providing consulting services and handling tracking and tracing of goods. They need to be familiar with domestic and international regulations and rules of air freight operations, and have good organizational, communication and coordination skills to ensure that customers' goods are transported safely, efficiently and on time.
What can ABL LOGISTICS do for me?
If you want to transport goods by air, whether on EXW or FOB terms, we can pick up the goods at the supplier's designated address according to their requirements, handle customs clearance in China, inspect the goods, purchase cargo insurance, book flights and deliver the goods to the airline until they safely arrive at the destination airport.
What procedures are usually required after air freight arrives at the destination?
Import declaration: Upon arrival at the destination, the consignee or their agent needs to submit an import declaration to the local customs and provide necessary documents such as information on the goods and tax payment.
Customs inspection: Customs will inspect the goods, including checking whether the information on the goods, such as the name, quantity, and specifications, is consistent with the declaration, and carrying out more stringent inspections of prohibited or restricted goods.
Tax payment: According to local regulations, customs will levy relevant import taxes, tariffs, value-added taxes and other fees on the goods, and the consignee needs to pay the relevant fees within the specified time.
Release of goods: After passing the customs inspection and paying the fees, the goods can be released and delivered to the consignee or their agent.
What size of cargo can be transported by air?
The size and weight of cargo that can be transported by air depends on the type of aircraft used, as well as the cargo hold space and payload capacity. Generally, large cargo aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Antonov An-225 can carry over 100 tons of cargo, while narrow-body cargo aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 can carry about 20 to 30 tons of cargo.
In addition, the volume-to-weight ratio of the cargo also needs to be considered in air transportation, as airlines typically calculate shipping fees based on the greater of the actual weight and volumetric weight. If the cargo is not very heavy but has a large volume, higher shipping fees may be required.
In summary, air transportation has advantages such as fast speed, high efficiency, and long transportation distances compared to other transportation modes. However, due to its high cost, it is suitable for transporting small quantities, high-value or urgently needed goods.
Can oversized and overweight goods be transported by air?
Air transportation is divided into passenger aircraft and cargo aircraft. The height of most passenger aircraft's belly cargo hold is 1.6 meters, so as long as the height, length and width do not exceed these limits, the cargo can be transported by passenger aircraft.
The maximum height that can be transported by air cargo aircraft is 3.18 meters, but there may be differences depending on different destinations and aircraft models. If you need to transport oversize and overweight cargo such as molds or machinery, please contact us. With 15 years of experience in air transportation, we can provide the best transportation solutions.
How can I track cargo transportation information through an air waybill?
An air waybill is an important document in the air freight process, which records key information such as the basic information of the goods, the origin and destination, and the carrier. By using the relevant information on the air waybill, you can track the transportation status of the goods. The specific steps are as follows:
Obtain the air waybill: After the goods are shipped, contact the logistics company or airline to obtain the air waybill.
Check the waybill number: On the air waybill, there is usually a unique waybill number (also known as an air waybill number or AWB number). You can use this number to check the transportation status of the goods.
Check the official website of the airline: Enter the waybill number on the official website of the airline, and then check the real-time status of the goods, including the take-off time, arrival time, current location and estimated arrival time, etc.
How do I clear customs after the goods arrive at the destination airport?
After air freight arrives at the destination, customs clearance procedures are usually required. The specific customs clearance process and procedures vary from country to country and region to region, but generally include the following steps:
Submit an import declaration: Upon arrival at the destination, the consignee or their agent needs to submit an import declaration to the local customs and provide necessary documents such as information on the goods and tax payment.
Customs inspection: Customs will inspect the goods, including checking whether the information on the goods, such as the name, quantity, and specifications, is consistent with the declaration, and carrying out more stringent inspections of prohibited or restricted goods.
Tax payment: According to local regulations, customs will levy relevant import taxes, tariffs, value-added taxes and other fees on the goods, and the consignee needs to pay the relevant fees within the specified time.
Release of goods: After passing the customs inspection and paying the fees, the goods can be released and the consignee can pick up the goods according to the requirements of the local airport.
Top 5 air cargo forwarding companies in China
China International Freight Forwarders Co., Ltd.
Sinotrans Air Transportation Development Co., Ltd.
China Southern Airlines Guangzhou Branch
ABL LOGISTICS Limited
Shenzhen CIMC Aviation Logistics Co., Ltd.
How long does air freight typically take when departing from China?
Most countries around the world have direct flights to and from China, with destinations including the United States (Los Angeles/New York/Chicago/Miami), London in the UK, Toronto in Canada, Mexico City, Frankfurt in Germany, Paris in France, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Singapore, Tokyo in Japan, Incheon in South Korea, Sydney in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand, Bangkok in Thailand, Istanbul in Turkey, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Doha in Qatar, and many more. These destinations can usually be reached within one day.
Of course, there are also many international airports around the world that can be reached through transfers, and most international airports can be reached from China within 1-5 days.
What are the mainstream Chinese airlines that fly to the world?
- Air China
- China Eastern Airlines
- China Southern Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- Sichuan Airlines
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Co., Ltd.
- Shenzhen Airlines）United Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Air France
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- British Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- All Nippon Airways
- Japan Airlines
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- Qantas Airways
- Air Canada
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Lufthansa
- Austrian Airlines
- Finnair
- Korean Air
- Oman Air
- Air India
- EgyptAir
- Turkish Airlines
- El Al Israel Airlines
- Alitalia
- Iberia
- Eurowings
- IHG Airlines
- Thai Airways International
- Aerolíneas Argentinas
- Aeroméxico
- LATAM Brasil
What are the international airports in China?
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG, China)
- Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX, China)
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN, China)
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG, Hong Kong)
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK, China)
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH, China)
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO, China)
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU, China)
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN, China)
- Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO, China)
- Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG, China)
- Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG, China)
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN, China)
- Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH, China)
- Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY, China)
- Ningbo Lishe International Airport (NGB, China)
- Fuzhou Changle International Airport (FOC, China)
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC, China)
- Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX, China)
- Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE, China)
What are the major world airports in the world?
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG, Hong Kong)
- Dubai International Airport (DXB, United Arab Emirates)
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS, Netherlands)
- Singapore Changi Airport (SIN, Singapore)
- Incheon International Airport (ICN, South Korea)
- Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK, Indonesia)
- Miami International Airport (MIA, USA)
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD, USA)
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR, United Kingdom)
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA, Germany)
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG, France)
- Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT, Japan)
- Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH, United Arab Emirates)
- Brussels Airport (BRU, Belgium)
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM, India)
- Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP, Italy)
- Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE, Argentina)
- Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC, United Arab Emirates)
- Istanbul New Airport (IST, Turkey)
- Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG, Algeria)
- Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO, Italy)
- Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD, Hungary)
- Kotoka International Airport (ACC, Ghana)
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR, Canada)
- El Dorado International Airport (BOG, Colombia)
- Munich Airport (MUC, Germany)
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK, Thailand)
- Hamad International Airport (DOH, Qatar)
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD, Spain)
- Benina International Airport (BEN, Libya)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK, USA)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX, USA)
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL, India)
- Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO, Russia)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW, USA)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA, USA)
- Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ, Canada)
- Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD, Australia)
- Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL, Belgium)
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN, China)
- Heathrow Cargo Centre (LHR, United Kingdom)
- Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW, Poland)
- King Khalid International Airport (RUH, Saudi Arabia)
- Koltsovo International Airport (SVX, Russia)
- Shannon Airport (SNN, Ireland)
