When air freight makes sense
- Personal things you need as soon as you land abroad, while the rest follows by sea.
- Urgent samples, spare parts and documents.
- Goods that are light but valuable, where speed matters more than cost.
How air cargo is priced
Airlines charge on the chargeable weight, which is the higher of two figures: the actual weight, and the volume weight. For most air cargo, the volume weight in kilos is the length × width × height of each package in centimetres, divided by 6,000.
So a large, light carton can cost as much as a small, heavy one. Good packing that keeps cartons compact helps keep the bill down.
How we ship by air
- Details and quote. What is going, the weight and size, and where.
- Packing. Strong cartons or crates suited to airline handling.
- Booking and airway bill. Space booked with the airline and the airway bill issued.
- Export customs. Documents filed and the cargo handed to the airline.
- Arrival. Customs clearance at the destination airport and delivery.
What cannot go by air
Airlines follow strict rules on dangerous goods. Loose lithium batteries, aerosols, perfumes, flammable liquids and gas cannot be packed in ordinary air cargo. Tell us about anything unusual before packing, and we will check what is allowed.
