Air Freight
What's Air Freight?
Air freight is the fastest way to ship cargo. Your goods fly on passenger or cargo planes and arrive in days — not weeks. It costs more than sea freight, so it's best for urgent, high-value, or light shipments. As your China air freight forwarder, CSL manages the whole journey for you.Calculate Your CBM
CSL Global Air Freight Network
Our air freight network starts from 18 airports across Asia and connects to airports across North America, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Australia & NZ — switch a region to explore its dedicated lanes.
CSL Partner Airlines
We maintain close partnerships with leading airlines across the globe to secure the best capacity and rates for your air freight.
How air freight is charged
Airlines don't just charge by the weight on the scale — they also charge by the space your cargo takes up. You always pay for the bigger of the two. The simple rule: 1 CBM of space = 167 kg (an IATA standard). Light but bulky cargo is called "bubble cargo" and is charged by its space.
| What | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Actual Weight | The weight on the scale (cargo + packaging) | 100 kg |
| Volumetric Weight | The weight based on space: volume (CBM) × 167 | 3 CBM = 501 kg |
| Chargeable Weight | The bigger of the two — this is what you pay for | 501 kg |
Air freight or sea freight?
| Factor | Air Freight | Sea Freight |
|---|---|---|
| Transit Time | 3–15 days door to door | 15–40 days |
| Cost per kg | $5–8/kg | ~$0.6–2.6/kg |
| How You're Charged | Chargeable weight (kg) | Per CBM or container |
| Best For | Urgent, high-value, time-sensitive, 45–600 KGS | Large, low-value, not urgent |
| Cargo Size | Small to medium, usually under 500 kg per piece | Almost unlimited |
| Reliability | High — frequent flights | Affected by port delays |
Cost components of air freight
Air Freight Rate
Charged per kg of chargeable weight. Indicative 2026 rates: China to US West Coast about $5–8/kg, China to Europe about $4–7/kg. Rates change with demand and season.
Fuel & Security Surcharges
FSC (fuel surcharge) is about $0.5–2/kg and moves with oil prices. SSC (security surcharge) is about $0.1–0.3/kg. Both are per kg and vary by carrier.
Terminal & Handling
THC (terminal handling) at origin and destination airports, about $0.1–0.3/kg each end, plus the AWB document fee of about $15–40 per shipment.
Customs & Last-Mile
Customs clearance ($50–150 per ticket) and destination duties based on cargo value. Airport-to-door delivery is charged separately by distance.
Air freight service types
| Service | Speed | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express (Courier) | 3–5 days | Highest, per first kg + per extra kg | Samples, documents, small parcels |
| Standard Air | 1–5 days | Medium, per kg | Regular commercial cargo |
| Economy Air | 5–10 days | Lower, per kg | Light, non-urgent cargo |
| Air Charter | On request | Negotiated per flight | Large, oversize, or special cargo |
China Domestic Value-Added Services
Beyond the flight itself, we handle everything on the ground in China — pickup, customs clearance, certificates, licenses and insurance, all in one quote.
Pickup
Customs Clearance
Certificate of Origin
Export License
Insurance
Worldwide Value-Added Services
At destination, we cover everything — customs clearance, door-to-door delivery, DDU/DAP, DDP and IOR import authority — all in one seamless service.
Customs Clearance
Door-to-Door Delivery
DDU/DAP
DDP
IOR Import Authority
Bonded Warehouse
One-Stop
Service
What can and can't fly
Some goods need special checks before they can be shipped by air. Others can't fly at all. Check your cargo against this list — or just ask us.
| Category | Examples | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium Batteries | Phones, laptops, power banks | UN38.3 test report, Class 9 label, UN box |
| Magnetic Materials | Speakers, magnets, motors | Magnet test report |
| Liquids & Powders | Cosmetics, chemicals | MSDS, non-dangerous goods certificate |
| Fully Prohibited | Explosives, toxic gases, radioactive material | Cannot be shipped by air at all |
Our Advantages
Air freight is expensive — it should never be stressful. We solve the three biggest pain points when shipping by air out of China.
Guaranteed Space, Even in Peak Season
Flights fill up fast before Christmas and Chinese New Year. We lock in cargo space and pallet positions early, so your goods fly when you need them — not when space opens up.
Clear Charging, No Hidden Fees
We explain how chargeable weight works, split "bubble" savings with you where possible, and give an all-inclusive quote upfront. The number you see is the number you pay.
Cleared Before the Plane Lands
Missing paperwork can trap your cargo at the airport for days. Our licensed agents handle customs clearance in advance — your cargo is picked up right after landing, not after a hold.
FAQs
Related Info
Ready to ship by air?
Partner with a trusted China air freight forwarder. Get a tailored air freight quote today.
Get QuoteData & sources: Volumetric weight ratio (1 CBM = 167 kg) per the IATA standard. Rate ranges and transit estimates are indicative market figures as of 2026 and vary by lane, season, and carrier — confirm with your CSL representative for a live quote. Dangerous goods requirements follow IATA DGR and the Chinese standard GB/T 45915-2025 for lithium battery transport.