General air cargo
We book air freight for general cargo, airport to airport or door to door. We prepare the air waybill, coordinate collection and delivery by truck, and work with licensed customs brokers on the declarations at both ends.
What it is
General air cargo is freight carried in the hold of an aircraft, booked as a normal cargo shipment. It is not a courier parcel. It moves on an air waybill (AWB), the transport document for air cargo. The AWB records the shipper, the consignee, the cargo and the route. It is a receipt and a contract of carriage. It is not a document of title.
We book the space with airlines and carriers, prepare the AWB, and coordinate the trucks at each end and the handling at the airports. Customs declarations are coordinated with licensed customs brokers. You get one point of contact for the move.
When to use it
- The cargo is urgent and cannot wait for a sea schedule.
- The goods are high in value compared with their weight, such as electronics, parts or samples.
- The cargo is light for its size and you want to compare air with sea on the numbers.
- A production line, a shop or a project is waiting for the goods.
- The shipment is too large or too heavy for an express carrier, but still needs to fly.
What we handle
- Booking space with airlines and carriers
- Air waybill (AWB) preparation and a check of the details against the invoice and packing list
- Collection from your address and delivery to the consignee by truck
- Export and import customs declarations, coordinated with licensed customs brokers
- Advice on packing, marking and labelling for air
- Delivery of cargo to the airport cargo terminal before the carrier's cut-off
How it runs
- Quote: you send the cargo details. We price the job from them and say what the quote covers.
- Booking: once you accept, we book space with the carrier and send you the booking details.
- Documents: we prepare the AWB and check the invoice and packing list. The licensed customs broker receives what it needs.
- Collection: the truck collects the cargo as booked, or you hand it in at the airport cargo terminal.
- Flight: the carrier loads and flies the cargo. We follow the booking and tell you of changes we hear about.
- Delivery: the cargo is cleared at destination and delivered to the consignee. We tell you by email.
What to send us for a quote
| Detail | Why we ask |
|---|---|
| Cargo description and value | Sets the declaration and tells us if the goods need special handling. |
| Number of packages | Each piece is handled and counted on the AWB. |
| Gross weight and dimensions of each piece | Air freight is priced on chargeable weight. |
| Origin and destination airports or addresses | Decides the route and the trucking at each end. |
| Ready date and required arrival date | Shows how much room there is to choose a flight. |
| Incoterm | Says who arranges and pays for each part of the move. |
Good to know
- Air freight is priced on chargeable weight, the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight. A common air divisor is 6,000 cubic cm per kg, but check the divisor on your quote. Try the chargeable weight tool.
- Batteries, magnets, liquids and powders may count as dangerous goods or restricted cargo by air. Tell us before you pack.
- Carriers set a cut-off for handing cargo in. Late documents or late cargo can mean a later flight.
Questions
What is the difference between an AWB and a house AWB?
The master AWB is issued by the airline for the whole booking. A house AWB is issued by the party that consolidates the cargo, for each shipper. We arrange house documents with a licensed partner when a job needs them.
Can you quote door to door?
Yes. Send the pickup and delivery addresses with the cargo details, and the quote will show the trucking and the flight as separate lines.