Air freight shipping is the transfer of goods with an air carrier. The air carrier may be commercial or charter. Air freight shipping travels from passenger and commercial gateways to almost any destination.
Dedicated air cargo planes, air parcel and air charter for emergency shipments are three different types of air freight shipping. Air freight shipping is used to move parcels, documents, cars, construction equipment, letters, and more.
Dedicated air cargo planes use a cargo aircraft. A cargo aircraft is currently the most used way to ship freight. Air cargo planes are made to use all available space to handle freight of any size. Cargo airplanes can carry a large amount. A cargo airplane can carry 26,000 cubic feet of hazardous, heavy and large freight.
Air parcel is air freight shipping that is moved on passenger lines. Shipping on passenger planes is a regular practice for airline companies.
Air charter can be used when you have emergency freight that you need to be delivered. Air charter is when you have a required deadline and do not want any transit stops. Air charter is much more expensive than other options. Some industries that use air charter include pharmaceutical items, mining, energy, and movie production.
When you need air freight, you will go through an easy process. You will decide on a shipping provider. You will pick a company or a third-party provider to take what you are shipping or schedule a time to pick up your freight. The airline then takes your shipment to load on the plane. After the plane arrives at the destination, a carrier takes your shipment and delivers it to your shipping address.
There are many pros of air freight shipping. One of the pros is the shipping speed. If you need your shipment delivered by the next day, air freight shipping is the only option. Air freight shipping also offers large service areas, shipment safety, and few disruptions. Air freight shipping also offers reliable departure and arrival times. Generally, airplanes leave every hour compared to the more random nature of ground shipping. Another pro is that air shipments usually need less packing materials than ocean shipments.
Additionally, air carriers offer high levels of security, proof of delivery, and is suitable for sensitive packages. You will receive proof of delivery via text, email, or phone call. An experienced logistics provider can handle any type of shipment, including high-value and confidential packages. Another plus is that air freight ships on a tighter schedule. Since there is a tighter schedule, you will have to pay for less warehouse space.
Air freight also offers better security for shipping than other shipping options. Most airports have an excellent level of security. There is less of a risk for both theft and damage. Insurance costs are lower for air freight shipping compared to other shipping options. The only real con of air freight shipping is that the price, in general, will be somewhat higher than other shipping options. Using passenger planes and parcel shipping is the least expensive. Delivery with charter planes is the most expensive.
Understanding how air freight shipping rates are calculated is important. Some factors that can influence the cost of shipping are fuel surcharges, airline handling charges, container freight station fees, airport security costs, trucking costs, and customs clearance fees. Some delivery options that you have for air freight shipping are same-day, next-day air, second-day air, and deferred air.
Same-day shipping is the quickest option to ship by air. Your shipment will be delivered on the same day that it is flown out. Next-day air is when your shipment will reach the destination by the following business day. Second-day shipping is when your shipment will arrive by the second business day. Deferred air is when the airline can wait to ship until there is available space on a flight.
International shipping generally has two options. The first option is deferred service and the second is express service. Deferred service is the regular option for those looking to ship on international flights. Freight generally arrives at the destination within three to five days. Express air generally arrives within two to three days.
There are some important documents that you will probably need to fill out if you choose air freight shipping. The first document is a commercial invoice. The commercial invoice has a detailed description of all items in your shipment. The name and address of the shipper and seller need to be included.
A consular invoice is another important document. The invoice has to be purchased from the country that you are shipping the goods and should be prepared in the country’s language. The certificate of origin is another important document. The certificate of origin says which country the shipment started. A bill of lading is another important document that identifies the consignee, shipper, and the quantity and types of goods.
Whatever your air freight needs, getting in touch with your local logistics provider can streamline the process.