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Air Freight Cost Guide

Air Freight Rates from China

Understand how air freight costs are calculated, why rates differ between routes and cargo types, and what information is required to obtain an accurate air cargo quotation from China.

Air freight rates change according to airline capacity, departure and destination airports, chargeable weight, cargo characteristics, flight routing, fuel surcharges and seasonal demand. A rate should always be confirmed against the actual shipment details.

Request a Current Air Freight Rate → Calculate Chargeable Weight
Cost per KG explained Actual vs volumetric weight Airport and airline comparison Clear quotation scope
Rate Calculation Worksheet Reference Only
Current Rate Required
Actual Weight 320 KG
Cargo Volume 2.4 CBM
Volumetric Weight 2.4 × 167 = 401 KG
Departure Airport SZX / CAN / HKG
Destination Airport Customer Required
Chargeable Weight 401 KG
Current Air Freight Rate Request Quote
Rate Subject to Confirmation Airline capacity and cargo acceptance apply
Route Departure and destination airports
Chargeable Weight Actual or volumetric weight
Cargo Type General or special cargo
Airline Capacity Space, schedule and season
China Handling Pickup, customs and terminal costs
=
Final Air Freight Quote Confirmed against actual cargo details
Rate Variables

Why Air Freight Rates from China Are Not Fixed

Air freight does not have one universal price per kilogram. The same shipment may receive different rates depending on the departure airport, airline, flight schedule, available space and cargo characteristics.

A quote that applies to general cargo from Shenzhen to Frankfurt may not apply to battery products from Hong Kong to the same destination. The total cost also changes when supplier pickup, export declaration or special handling is required.

Customers can review our complete air freight services from China or learn how airline capacity is confirmed through our air freight booking service .

01
Departure and Destination Airports Airline competition, route frequency and airport handling costs differ by location.
Major Impact
02
Chargeable Weight Airlines charge the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight.
Major Impact
03
General or Special Cargo Batteries, liquids, powders and oversized cargo may require special acceptance.
Variable Cost
04
Direct or Connecting Flight Direct flights are often faster, while transit routes may offer lower-cost capacity.
Route Choice
05
Season and Airline Capacity Peak-season demand, cancellations and reduced capacity can raise short-term rates.
Market Change
06
China-Side Services Supplier pickup, warehouse handling, customs clearance and terminal delivery affect the quote.
Service Scope
Chargeable Weight

How Air Freight Chargeable Weight Is Calculated

The airline compares the shipment's actual gross weight with its volumetric weight. The higher figure becomes the chargeable weight used for the freight calculation.

Air Freight Weight Formula

Low-density cargo can occupy more aircraft space than its actual weight suggests. Volumetric calculation allows airlines to charge for the space used.

Chargeable Weight = Higher of Actual Weight and Volumetric Weight Volumetric Weight = Length × Width × Height ÷ 6000

Dimensions are normally calculated in centimeters and the result is expressed in kilograms. As a general reference, 1 CBM is approximately 167 kg.

Dense Cargo

Machinery Parts

Actual Weight 500 KG
Volume 2 CBM
Volumetric Weight 334 KG
Chargeable Weight 500 KG
Volume Cargo

Lightweight Garments

Actual Weight 250 KG
Volume 3 CBM
Volumetric Weight 501 KG
Chargeable Weight 501 KG
Cost Breakdown

What Is Included in an Air Freight Quote?

A complete quote should show which airline and China-side services are included. Destination charges should not be assumed unless they are listed clearly.

Typical Air Freight Cost Items Quote Scope Reference
Charge Item Explanation
Air Freight Airline Airport-to-airport airline transportation based on the chargeable weight and confirmed route.
Fuel and Security Surcharges Airline Airline or terminal surcharges linked to fuel, screening and aviation security.
Supplier Pickup China Side Truck collection from the factory or supplier to the warehouse or airport.
Warehouse Handling China Side Cargo receiving, package verification, labeling, consolidation and operational handling.
Export Customs Clearance China Side China export declaration based on the commercial invoice, packing list and product information.
Terminal Handling Airport Departure-terminal delivery, weighing, security screening and airline acceptance.
Air Waybill Handling Documentation MAWB or HAWB preparation and related operational documentation.
Special Cargo Charges When Required Additional review, packaging, documentation or handling for batteries, liquids, powders, magnets or dangerous goods.
Departure Airport

How China Departure Airports Affect Air Freight Rates

The closest airport is not always the lowest-cost option. Airline schedules, cargo acceptance rules and supplier trucking costs should be compared together.

SZX
Shenzhen Bao'an South China
Convenient for Shenzhen and Dongguan suppliers, with general cargo and electronics routes.
General Cargo
CAN
Guangzhou Baiyun Pearl River Delta
Broad international network for commercial cargo from Guangzhou, Foshan and nearby factories.
Route Network
HKG
Hong Kong International International Cargo Hub
Often considered for battery-powered products and selected restricted cargo, subject to documents and airline acceptance.
Special Cargo
PVG
Shanghai Pudong East China
Major cargo gateway for Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and the wider Yangtze River Delta.
Global Routes
CGO
Zhengzhou Xinzheng Central China
Useful for electronics, e-commerce cargo and shipments originating from central Chinese manufacturing regions.
Commercial Cargo
EHU
Ezhou Huahu Cargo-Focused Airport
Cargo-oriented airport supporting express freight and selected international capacity.
Cargo Capacity
Mainland airports are often more cost-effective for general cargo. Hong Kong may offer more route options for certain battery-powered or restricted products, but cross-border trucking and special handling can increase the total cost.
Flight Routing

Direct vs Connecting Air Freight Rates

Direct flights are often chosen for urgent shipments. Connecting flights can provide lower-cost capacity when the customer has more flexibility.

Faster Route

Direct Flight

Cargo travels to the destination airport without an intermediate airline transfer.

Typical Rate Level Often Higher
Transit Time Usually Shorter
Transfer Handling Lower
Best For Urgent and High-Value Cargo
VS
Cost-Balanced Route

Connecting Flight

Cargo transfers through one or more intermediate airports before reaching the destination.

Typical Rate Level Often Lower
Transit Time Usually Longer
Transfer Handling Higher
Best For Flexible Commercial Cargo
Airline Weight Levels

How Shipment Weight Affects the Rate per KG

Airlines often publish rate levels based on minimum chargeable-weight brackets. Larger shipments may receive a lower rate per kilogram because the airline allocates capacity differently.

A lower rate per kilogram does not mean a lower total freight cost. Large or oversized cargo may also require special space, pallet planning or aircraft-loading approval.

Weight brackets are only part of the calculation. Route, cargo type, season and available capacity can still override the normal pattern.

+45 KG
Small commercial shipments
+100 KG
Entry commercial rate level
+300 KG
Common consolidated cargo level
+500 KG
Larger airline capacity request
+1000 KG
Bulk or planned capacity shipment
The bars illustrate increasing shipment size, not a guaranteed discount percentage. Current airline rate levels must be checked for each route and booking date.
Special Cargo Costs

Cargo Characteristics That Can Increase Air Freight Costs

Special cargo may require additional documents, screening, packaging, airline approval or a restricted routing option.

BAT
Battery Products Battery type, watt-hour rating, packaging, MSDS and UN38.3 documents may be required.
Route and Document Cost
LIQ
Liquids and Creams Product ingredients, MSDS and airline hazard review can affect acceptance.
Acceptance Review
PWD
Powders Security screening and product-identification documents may be required.
Screening Cost
MAG
Magnetic Cargo Motors, speakers and magnetic components may require a magnetic inspection report.
Inspection Cost
OVS
Oversized Cargo Aircraft door dimensions, loading equipment and special space must be confirmed.
Special Space
DG
Dangerous Goods Dangerous-goods packing, declaration and certified handling may be required.
DG Handling Cost
Calculation Examples

Air Freight Quote Examples by Cargo Density

These examples explain how chargeable weight is selected. They are not current airline rate offers.

Example 01

Machinery Parts

Dense commercial cargo

Actual Weight 620 KG
Volume 2.1 CBM
Volumetric Weight 351 KG
Service Airport-to-Airport
Chargeable Weight 620 KG

Actual weight is higher than volumetric weight, so the shipment is charged at 620 kg.

Example 02

Cooling Vests

Medium-density commercial cargo

Actual Weight 570 KG
Volume 2.5 CBM
Volumetric Weight 418 KG
Route Options Direct or Transit
Chargeable Weight 570 KG

The cargo is still charged by actual weight because it exceeds the calculated volumetric weight.

Example 03

Garments

Low-density volume cargo

Actual Weight 300 KG
Volume 3.2 CBM
Volumetric Weight 534 KG
Cargo Type General Cargo
Chargeable Weight 534 KG

The cargo occupies more aircraft space, so the volumetric weight becomes the chargeable weight.

Service Scope

Airport-to-Airport Rate vs Door Delivery and Air DDP Cost

A low airport-to-airport rate does not necessarily represent the final landed cost. Destination customs clearance, taxes and delivery must also be considered.

Basic International Freight

Airport-to-Airport

Cargo is transported to the nominated destination airport. The consignee manages local import operations.

  • China export handling available
  • International air freight included
  • Import customs clearance not included
  • Duties and taxes not included
  • Final delivery not included
Suitable for importers with their own customs broker and airport pickup arrangement.
Delivery Included

Airport-to-Door / DDU

The shipment is delivered to the consignee after destination clearance arrangements.

  • China export handling available
  • International air freight included
  • Import clearance depends on route
  • Duties usually paid by consignee
  • Final delivery included
Suitable when the customer can pay import duties but requires destination delivery.
All-In Service

Air Freight DDP

The service normally combines international air freight, customs clearance, duties and final delivery.

  • China export handling included
  • International air freight included
  • Import customs clearance included
  • Duties normally included
  • Final delivery included
The exact tax and destination scope must be confirmed in the quotation.
Rate Request Checklist

Information Required for an Accurate Air Freight Rate

Complete shipment details allow us to calculate the correct chargeable weight, review cargo acceptance and compare suitable airlines.

Submit Cargo Details →
Supplier city or full pickup address
Destination airport or delivery postcode
Clear English product name
Number of cartons, pallets or crates
Dimensions of every package type
Total actual gross weight
Declared commercial cargo value
Battery, liquid, powder or magnetic details
Confirmed cargo-ready date
Required service and delivery deadline
Related Air Freight Pages

Continue Planning Your Air Shipment

Review the service scope and airline booking process before confirming your air freight quotation.

Air Freight Air Freight Services from China Compare airport-to-airport, airport-to-door and DDP air freight solutions. → Airport Service Airport-to-Airport Air Freight Understand the China-side service scope and destination-airport responsibilities. → Airline Booking Air Freight Booking from China Learn how cargo acceptance, airline space and terminal cut-offs are managed. →
Frequently Asked Questions

Air Freight Rates from China FAQ

Final rates depend on current airline capacity, cargo details and the confirmed service scope.

How much does air freight from China cost per kilogram?

There is no single fixed price per kilogram. The rate depends on the route, chargeable weight, airline, cargo type, departure date, available space and China-side services required.

Why is volumetric weight higher than the actual weight?

Low-density cargo occupies aircraft space without having a high actual weight. Airlines therefore calculate volumetric weight and charge whichever is higher.

Are air freight rates lower for heavier shipments?

Larger shipments may receive a lower rate per kilogram under certain airline weight brackets. However, route, cargo type, season and available capacity can still change the final rate.

Does an air freight rate include supplier pickup?

Supplier pickup is included only when it is clearly listed in the quotation. The cost depends on the factory address, package quantity, cargo size and vehicle required.

Does airport-to-airport pricing include destination charges?

Normally, no. Destination terminal, customs, storage, duties, taxes and pickup costs are usually arranged and paid by the consignee unless otherwise stated.

Why are battery products more expensive to ship by air?

Battery cargo may require additional documents, compliant packaging, restricted airlines, special routes and operational handling, all of which can increase the cost.

How long is an air freight quotation valid?

Validity depends on the airline and market conditions. Some rates may remain available for several days, while peak-season or limited-capacity rates can change more quickly.

Can the final chargeable weight change after warehouse receiving?

Yes. The final rate may change when the actual dimensions or weight differ from the figures used in the original quotation. Warehouse measurements and airline weighing are used for the final shipment.

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Send us your cargo details, supplier address and destination airport or postcode. Our team will calculate the chargeable weight, review cargo acceptance and compare available airline routes.

Chargeable-weight calculation Airline route comparison Cargo acceptance review Clear cost breakdown

Details Needed for Your Quote

  • Product name and cargo characteristics
  • Carton quantity, dimensions and gross weight
  • Supplier city or full pickup address
  • Destination airport or delivery postcode
  • Cargo value and cargo-ready date
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Rates are subject to airline capacity, cargo acceptance and final shipment measurements.