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Air freight shipping: Meaning, benefits and process
Air freight shipping is the transport of goods by air, which involves various documents and licenses. Learn more about its working, benefits, and costs in the blog.
With increasing sales and demand for Indian products in international markets, the need to choose a reliable and quick shipping method has become important for exporters. Air and ocean shipping are two popular international shipping modes. Of the two, air shipment is faster and reduces the overall turnaround time taken to deliver a product internationally, leaving customers happy and satisfied.
What is air freight shipping?
Air freight refers to the commercial transport of goods by air. Air freight shipping involves the actual movement of cargo and the logistics, expenses, and regulations involved in ensuring safe and prompt delivery. It is frequently utilized shipping method in international trade due to its rapidity and effectiveness in transporting goods over considerable distances.
While air freight transport is more expensive than ocean or ground shipping, its main benefit is the swift delivery time. Items transported by air can arrive at their destination within a matter of days, making it particularly suitable for time-sensitive or high-value items such as electronics, perishables, and medical supplies.1
While air freight transport is more expensive than ocean or ground shipping, its main benefit is the swift delivery time. Items transported by air can arrive at their destination within a matter of days, making it particularly suitable for time-sensitive or high-value items such as electronics, perishables, and medical supplies.1
Types of air freight shipping
Air freight shipping includes can be classified into various types based on the nature of the cargo, timeliness, and cost factors. Some of the most common types are:
Standard air freight
Standard air freight is the transportation of cargo by regular scheduled airlines. This is the most appropriate option for products that are not time-sensitive. It is cheaper than any other express mode of delivery but may take a little longer to deliver.
Chartered or express air freight
This service is intended for urgent shipments, providing expedited delivery, often within 24 to 48 hours. It is typically used for essential medical supplies, perishable goods that require timely delivery, or high-value items.
Special cargo
This is used to ship items that require specific handling conditions during transit, such as temperature-controlled products or hazardous materials.2
Process of air freight shipping
Here's an overview of how the air freight shipping process works:
Booking and documentation
First, arrange your shipment through a freight forwarder or logistics provider. Then, provide information regarding your cargo, such as its weight, size, and nature. Accurate documentation, such as the air waybill (AWB), is critical for ensuring smooth processing.
Cargo inspection
Once the consignment is ready, it is screened for prohibited and hazardous materials. After the inspection, goods receive clearance for transport.
Handling at the origin airport
Following preparation and inspection, the cargo is transported to the airport, where it is subjected to security checks. Once it passes these checks, it is loaded onto the aircraft for transport.
Arrival at the destination airport
During the flight, the airline is responsible for the cargo. Once it reaches the destination airport, it is again cleared through customs. The documents are inspected and, based on the destination country's laws, duties or taxes are applied.
Final delivery
After clearing customs, the goods are collected and delivered to the specified address, thereby concluding the air shipping process.3
Did you know?
You can ship your products through air freight with Amazon Global Selling SEND
Amazon SEND is a cross-border shipping solution that helps you send your products from India to Amazon fulfillment centers in the US, UK, and Germany in a cost-effective manner. You can book shipments, schedule pickup, and track shipments with partnered air carriers through Amazon Seller Central.
Amazon SEND is a cross-border shipping solution that helps you send your products from India to Amazon fulfillment centers in the US, UK, and Germany in a cost-effective manner. You can book shipments, schedule pickup, and track shipments with partnered air carriers through Amazon Seller Central.
Documents required for air freight
While export licenses might vary depending on the product, origin, and destination country, some documents that are usually required before shipping via air freight are as follows:
● Shipper’s letter of instruction: Shipper’s letter of instruction (SLI) is issued by the exporter to their agents or freight forwarders. This authorization document details shipping terms and lays down directions for the carrier on how to handle the shipment without causing damage.
● Packing list: Packing list contains the list of contents of the export products.
● Air waybill: An air waybill is a document between a shipper and a carrier used for tracking. It is a guide for handling goods and customs declarations.
● Certificate of Origin: Certificate of Origin verifies the country where the goods were manufactured.
● Export declaration: Required for certain shipments to ensure compliance with export regulations.
● Insurance certificate: Covers potential loss or damage to the goods during transit.
● Import/export licenses (if applicable): Permits required by countries for certain goods.
● Commercial invoice: A commercial invoice shows the commercial transaction between the seller or exporter and the importer in the destination country.
● Shipper’s letter of instruction: Shipper’s letter of instruction (SLI) is issued by the exporter to their agents or freight forwarders. This authorization document details shipping terms and lays down directions for the carrier on how to handle the shipment without causing damage.
● Packing list: Packing list contains the list of contents of the export products.
● Air waybill: An air waybill is a document between a shipper and a carrier used for tracking. It is a guide for handling goods and customs declarations.
● Certificate of Origin: Certificate of Origin verifies the country where the goods were manufactured.
● Export declaration: Required for certain shipments to ensure compliance with export regulations.
● Insurance certificate: Covers potential loss or damage to the goods during transit.
● Import/export licenses (if applicable): Permits required by countries for certain goods.
● Commercial invoice: A commercial invoice shows the commercial transaction between the seller or exporter and the importer in the destination country.
Benefits of air freight shipping
The following are some key benefits of air freight shipping:
Speed and efficiency
Air freight is the fastest mode of transporting goods, making it ideal for time-sensitive shipments.
Global reach
The broad network of airlines connected to domestic as well as international locations ensures that shipments can be delivered to any part of the world with ease.
Enhanced security
Due to high levels of security and stringent package checking practices, air shipments are subject to less risk of theft. It is also easy for both sellers and customers to track.
Efficient warehousing
Air shippers can easily transfer shipments on short deadlines, decreasing the need for large warehousing spaces.
Disadvantages of air freight shipping
Despite its benefits, some drawbacks of air freight shipping are as follows:
Limited cargo capacity
Compared to other modes of transport like ocean freight, airplanes can carry only a limited amount of goods. Bulk orders and shipments may be restricted.
Higher costs
Shipping by air is relatively more expensive than ocean freight. Due to its high maintenance and operations, sellers need to pay higher charges to ship by air.
Weather dependency
Adverse weather conditions, such as storms in the monsoon season, can impact air freight. This may lead to delays in the delivery of the shipment.
Air freight shipping charges and cost calculation
The charges for air freight are determined by several factors. These include weight and volume, distances covered, and the kind of service chosen. 5 Freight forwarders typically compute the charges using actual weight, in kilograms, or volumetric weight of the goods, whichever is higher.
For instance, a very small but very heavy parcel would be charged on actual weight while an oversized and extremely light parcel would be charged on volumetric weight. These factors, coupled with fuel surcharge, security fee, and customs duty are considered by the freight forwarder while calculating air freight shipment costs.
For instance, a very small but very heavy parcel would be charged on actual weight while an oversized and extremely light parcel would be charged on volumetric weight. These factors, coupled with fuel surcharge, security fee, and customs duty are considered by the freight forwarder while calculating air freight shipment costs.
Air freight vs air cargo
Air freight and air cargo are near synonyms, but they differ in preference of usage. Generally speaking, air freight describes the movement of commodities for commercial use, usually arranged through a freight forwarder or a logistics operator. Air cargo, on the other hand, technically describes any cargo transported by air; it may include personal goods or non-commercial shipments. While both methods involve shipping goods by air, but air freight is more commonly associated with large-scale business operations.6
Amazon Global Selling: Easy e-commerce exports and hassle-free shipping
If you are a business owner and you want to sell your products to the world, Amazon Global Selling enables you to list and sell ‘Made in India’ products on 18 Amazon global marketplaces. As an e-commerce export program, Amazon Global Selling provides support and guidance at every step of your export journey, connecting you to Amazon’s Service Provider Network for tailored compliance, payments, and logistics support.
Registered sellers can choose to ship their products by themselves through Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN) or they can opt for fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) and outsource order fulfilment to Amazon including packing, storage, delivery, and returns. Amazon Global Selling simplifies the process of international shipping to the world, helping businesses navigate customs and reach a vast audience.
Registered sellers can choose to ship their products by themselves through Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN) or they can opt for fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) and outsource order fulfilment to Amazon including packing, storage, delivery, and returns. Amazon Global Selling simplifies the process of international shipping to the world, helping businesses navigate customs and reach a vast audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between courier and air freight?
The main difference between courier and air freight is the size and type of shipment. Couriers handle small packages with fast, door-to-door delivery, often using passenger planes. Air freight is for larger commercial shipments, involves more logistics like customs clearance, and usually offers airport-to-airport service, making it more suitable for bulk goods.
2. Is air freight more expensive than sea freight?
Yes, shipping via air is more expensive than shipping via ocean.
Published on March 28, 2022.
Sources:
1. https://www.maersk.com/logistics-explained/transportation-and-freight/2024/04/04/choosing-air-freight
2. https://silpl.rathigroup.info/blog_details/4/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Air-Freight
3. https://www.savinodelbene.com/air-freight-shipping-harnessing-the-power-of-air-logistics/
4. https://www.dhl.com/in-en/home/global-forwarding/freight-forwarding-education-center/air-cargo-documentation.html
5. https://www.tradefinanceglobal.com/freight-forwarding/air-freight/
6. https://www.asianausa.com/air-freight-vs-air-cargo-is-there-difference/
Sources:
1. https://www.maersk.com/logistics-explained/transportation-and-freight/2024/04/04/choosing-air-freight
2. https://silpl.rathigroup.info/blog_details/4/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Air-Freight
3. https://www.savinodelbene.com/air-freight-shipping-harnessing-the-power-of-air-logistics/
4. https://www.dhl.com/in-en/home/global-forwarding/freight-forwarding-education-center/air-cargo-documentation.html
5. https://www.tradefinanceglobal.com/freight-forwarding/air-freight/
6. https://www.asianausa.com/air-freight-vs-air-cargo-is-there-difference/
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