Alpha, Bravo, Charlie – this one’s urgent!

 

If it needs to be there now we can help you with a fast and cost-effective air freight solution. Our air freight services include both imports and exports, direct or deferred, using the world’s best and most reliable airlines. And of course, we’ll keep you updated every step of the way so you know exactly where your cargo is at.

 

No matter where the origin or destination, we can help with deliveries:

• Door-to-airport

• Airport-to-airport

• Airport-to-door

• Door-to-door
   

And of course, we can also combine your air freight service with sea or road freight to make sure we find the best (and cheapest) solution.

 

We can also help with:

• Fast and efficient customs clearance

• Airfreight of hazardous goods

• Freighter cargo

• Insuring your cargo against loss or damage

 

Some of the most common air freight routes we book are:

• Shanghai to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (and other main airports)

• Shanghai to USA (all main airports)

• Guangzhou to Australia (all main airports)

• Frankfurt/Dusseldorf to Melbourne and Sydney

• Sydney or Melbourne to Los Angeles or New York City
   

But of course we can book air freight between any of over 330 cities around the world.

 

Here’s some of the most commonly asked questions we get around air freight:

 

Q. Break it to me gently. How much is it going to cost?

A. The cost of an air freight shipment is based on a few things. Here are the things that make up the total cost of an airfreight shipment.

1. The chargeable weight of the cargo – i.e. when is volume charged greater than weight?

2. Whether it is a deferred or direct service

3. The cargo dimensions – i.e. above 1.6m high requires main deck

4. Whether the goods are perishable or non-perishable

5. Customs clearance charges

6. Duty and taxes

7. Delivery requirements

It really is a case of looking at every shipment individually, but we will always help you find the most cost effective way from A to B. We're happy to give you a no-obligation quote and a few options for you to consider.

 

Q. The maths is hurting my brain – do airlines charge by weight or volume, what is this thing called ‘chargeable weight’ and how is it calculated?

A. The cost of air freight is based on what is called the ‘chargeable weight’ of the cargo. The ‘chargeable weight’ is whichever is the highest between the ‘actual weight’ and the ‘volumetric weight’.  

So - the ‘actual weight’ is (ironically) the actual weight of the air freight cargo. Easy enough!

The ‘volumetric weight’ is the weight calculated on the volume of the air freight shipment. Here is an example of how to work it out. Firstly, work out the volume of the shipment by multiplying the dimensions of the cartons, and multiplying that number by the number of cartons, and then multiplying by 167 (the airlines use the ratio of 1cbm = 167 kg to calculate volumetric weight). For example, if you have five cartons, each with dimensions of 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.8, you multiply the dimension numbers together giving you 0.512m3 per package. Then multiply that by the number of packages, which in this example is five. This equals 2.56m3. Last you multiply that by 167 (the standard number of kilos per cubic metre set by IATA) to give you the volumetric weight. So for this example you get a volumetric weight of 427.52kg.

 

If the actual weight of all five cartons was 356.7kg, and the volumetric weight was 427.52kg (as per the above calculation) you will be charged on the volumetric weight as it is the greater of the two. This becomes the ‘chargeable weight’.

Phew. Easy, right?!

Q. OK, I’m really in a bind here, how big is too big when it comes to the size of an air freight shipment?
A. This is really limited by the size of the aircraft – and most international air cargo is moved on passenger aircraft. Ideally the cargo should be less than 3 metres in length, 2 metres in width and 1.6 metres high. There are freighter services (dedicated freight-only planes) available for certain origins and destinations. But if you have something that falls outside the norm, give us a call – we are always able to think outside the box with challenges like these!

 

Q. Why do they still call an air freight consignment a ‘shipment’?
A. Hmmmm yes, good point! Maybe we should we start calling them ‘airments’?

 

Did you know?

A regular domestic ginger cat named Smarty holds the world record for the most flights made by a pet. She made 92 flights (mostly between Cairo and Larnaca) before she sadly passed away in February 2007.