Fast, reliable air freight from China — from urgent samples and high-value electronics to time-critical replenishment, coordinated door to door with export handling, airline space, and customs managed for you.
Air freight is the fastest way to move goods out of China, and the right choice when a deadline, a high cargo value, or a fragile or perishable product outweighs the cost savings of sea. TJ China Logistics arranges air cargo from China for importers, e-commerce sellers, and sourcing teams — coordinating the shipment end to end from pickup and export handling, through airline space and the main flight, to import clearance and final delivery. The flight schedule, cargo space, and customs decisions stay with the airline and the relevant authorities; we manage the booking, paperwork, and communication around them. To scope a rate, the facts to confirm are your pickup location, destination, cargo weight and dimensions, and how fast you need it to arrive.
Air freight earns its premium when speed, value, or fragility matters more than the lowest unit cost. It is also the safest mode — fewer touch points and shorter transit mean less exposure to damage and theft.
Tell us your deadline, weight, and dimensions and we will confirm the mode that actually fits.
A quick way to sanity-check the mode before you dig into air options.
| Factor | Air freight | Sea freight | Rail freight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit speed | Fastest | Slowest | Between sea and air |
| Cost | Highest per kg | Lowest per unit | Middle |
| Best cargo | Small, urgent, high-value | Medium to very large | Medium |
| Cargo safety | Highest — low damage/theft | Good | Good |
| Typical use | Deadlines, samples, electronics, perishables | Bulk replenishment, heavy goods | China ↔ Europe / Central Asia |
Two ways to fly your cargo. Express buys the fastest door-to-door time; standard air trades a little speed for a lower rate on larger shipments.
Fastest, fully door-to-door. Best for urgent and smaller shipments.
Lower rate on bigger loads, airport-to-airport or door as needed.
Not sure which level fits? Send your weight, dimensions, and deadline and we will price both.
Urgent orders, high-value electronics, and perishables — from China’s main airports to your door.
Airlines charge on chargeable weight — the greater of your cargo’s actual (gross) weight and its volumetric weight. Light, bulky cargo is billed by the space it takes; dense cargo by what it weighs.
The real weight of the packed shipment on the scale, in kilograms.
The space the cargo occupies, converted to kilograms by a standard divisor.
The greater of the two — this is the number your rate is applied to.
Volumetric weight formula. Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ 6000 for standard air (1 CBM ≈ 167 kg), or ÷ 5000 for express (1 CBM ≈ 200 kg). Then compare with the actual weight and take the higher figure.
| Worked example (standard air) | Value |
|---|---|
| Carton size | 100 × 80 × 60 cm (0.48 CBM) |
| Volumetric weight | 100 × 80 × 60 ÷ 6000 = 80 kg |
| Actual weight on the scale | 50 kg |
| Chargeable weight (the greater) | 80 kg |
Packing tighter and avoiding oversized cartons lowers volumetric weight — and your bill. Send dimensions and we will calculate it for you.
Air pricing is more than one per-kg number. Knowing the parts helps you compare quotes fairly and avoid surprises at destination.
The base rate per chargeable kg for the lane, moving with the market and season.
Fuel (FSC) and security (SSC) charges, usually applied per kg.
Origin and destination handling, screening, and documentation.
Import clearance, duties, and taxes set by the destination country.
Collection in China and final delivery when door service is booked.
The greater of actual and volumetric weight decides how much you pay.
| Component | Indicative basis |
|---|---|
| Air freight | Per chargeable kg; moves with the market and season. |
| Surcharges | Fuel (FSC) and security (SSC), applied per kg. |
| Origin & destination handling | Terminal, screening, documentation, and delivery each end. |
| Duties & taxes | Set by the destination country on the declared value. |
| Insurance | Typically around 1% of cargo value (optional, recommended). |
Indicative only — we quote current, itemized costs for your specific lane and cargo.
Pay the express premium only when the deadline needs it; use standard air otherwise.
Pack tight and right-size cartons — you’re billed on the greater of actual or volume.
Book ahead of Q4 e-commerce peak and Chinese New Year, when space and rates spike.
Not sure your cargo fits? Tell us what it is and we will confirm handling, packing, and any special requirements.
Cross-border B2C and marketplace replenishment, prepped and shipped fast.
Phones, components, and devices — low weight, high value, tight timelines.
Fresh produce, seafood, and flowers that need to arrive in days, not weeks.
Time- and temperature-sensitive goods handled with care.
Pre-production samples and trade-show goods that can’t wait for sea.
Production-line and machine parts where downtime costs more than freight.
Batteries and dangerous goods. Lithium batteries, magnets, aerosols, and other regulated items can travel by air, but only when packed, marked, and documented to IATA rules. Tell us early so we prepare the correct declarations.
Collection from your supplier and export-grade packing at our China facility.
Booking, security screening, and export customs handling.
Space booked with the airline; Air Waybill issued and flight updates shared.
Document handover; import brokerage arranged on request.
Onward delivery to the address when door service is booked.
Air transit is short, but the door-to-door cycle also includes export handling, screening, clearance, and last-mile delivery. Use the ranges below as a planning guide — we confirm current transit for your exact lane at quote.
| Lane from China | Express (door-to-door) | Standard air |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 3–6 days | 5–9 days |
| Canada | 4–7 days | 6–10 days |
| United Kingdom | 3–6 days | 5–8 days |
| Northern Europe | 3–6 days | 5–9 days |
| Middle East (Gulf) | 3–6 days | 5–8 days |
| Australia | 3–7 days | 5–9 days |
Excludes customs holds and public holidays; confirmed per lane at quote.
We route through the cargo gateway closest to your supplier and best suited to your lane and deadline.
| Airport (code) | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | East China | China’s largest air-cargo gateway; widest freighter options. |
| Hong Kong (HKG) | South China (SAR) | One of the world’s busiest cargo airports; global connectivity. |
| Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) | South China | Pearl River Delta manufacturing base. |
| Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX) | South China | Electronics and consumer-goods hub. |
| Beijing (PEK / PKX) | North China | Northern China gateway for Beijing-area suppliers. |
| Zhengzhou (CGO) | Central China | Major electronics and e-commerce cargo hub. |
| Chengdu (CTU / TFU) | West China | Growing inland gateway for western China suppliers. |
Our role is to coordinate and document the shipment and hand each stage to the right party. We do not operate aircraft or issue customs rulings; we manage the booking, paperwork, and communication around them.
| Stage | What we coordinate | Performed / approved by |
|---|---|---|
| Origin pickup | Collection, export packing, and cargo readiness | Supplier readiness and accurate packing |
| Export & screening | Booking, security screening, export declaration handling | China customs; security screening rules |
| Main air leg | Space booking, Air Waybill, flight updates | Airline (schedule, space, capacity) |
| Import clearance | Document handover; import brokerage on request | Destination customs; importer of record; duties |
| Final delivery | Onward delivery when door service is booked | Consignee availability to receive |
Book early in peak season. Air capacity tightens sharply before Q4 e-commerce peak and Chinese New Year, and rates rise with it. Confirming space and documents early protects both your timeline and your budget.
The term you ship under decides where the seller’s responsibility ends and yours begins. For air, use FCA, CPT, or CIP — the sea-only terms FOB, CFR, and CIF do not apply.
CIP is the same as CPT but with cargo insurance arranged by the seller. TJ can coordinate either side — we often handle origin export for your supplier and arrange the main leg and destination on your behalf. Not sure which term to use? Describe who should clear customs at destination and we will recommend one.
Accurate documents keep clearance moving and duty calculation correct. Your exact set depends on the product and destination.
Declared value, terms, and parties — the basis for duty.
Cartons, weights, and dimensions per shipment.
The airline’s contract of carriage for the cargo.
Where required for duty preference or import rules.
For lithium batteries and other regulated goods, where applicable.
Air cargo cover, when you insure the shipment.
Switch modes as deadlines and budgets change, without switching providers.
Bundle these with your air shipment so the whole journey is handled by one team.
Express and standard options to hit the deadline without overpaying.
Access to capacity across major carriers and consolidators out of China.
An itemized breakdown of rate, surcharges, and local fees so you can compare.
Status updates through the key milestones so you know where cargo stands.
IATA-compliant packing, labeling, and documentation for regulated goods.
A responsive coordinator from booking through delivery.
Air cargo is tightly regulated. Many goods can still fly — they just need the right packing, labeling, and paperwork. Flag anything below when you request a quote.
| Category | What it means for your shipment |
|---|---|
| Lithium batteries & electronics | Restricted by IATA; require compliant packaging, marking, and declarations. |
| Dangerous goods (DG) | Classified goods need an MSDS, correct class labels, and a DG declaration. |
| Liquids, powders & aerosols | May face additional screening or documentation depending on contents. |
| Magnets | Often treated as regulated cargo; special packing and declaration needed. |
| Temporary imports / exhibitions | An ATA Carnet lets goods enter and re-export duty-free for events; plan ahead. |
Don’t ship regulated goods without confirmation. Undeclared batteries or DG can be held, refused, or fined. Send product details up front and we will confirm what’s needed before anything leaves your supplier.
Undeclared lithium or dangerous goods are the top cause of air holds and refusals.
Volumetric weight decides the bill — wrong sizes mean re-rating and delay.
The code drives duty and clearance; a wrong code causes holds and reassessment.
Under-declaration risks penalties, delays, and re-inspection at destination.
Have the broker and consignee ready so cargo doesn’t sit after it lands.
Space tightens before Q4 and Chinese New Year — reserve capacity early.
Express air is typically about 3–6 days door-to-door; standard air runs about 5–9 days depending on the lane and available space. Airport-to-airport flight time is only part of it — export handling, screening, clearance, and delivery all add time. We confirm a current range for your lane at quote.
You’re charged on the greater of the two, called chargeable weight. Volumetric weight is length × width × height (cm) ÷ 6000 for standard air, or ÷ 5000 for express. Light, bulky cargo is billed by volume; dense cargo by actual weight.
Air makes sense for urgent, high-value, fragile, or perishable cargo, and for smaller volumes — roughly under 1–2 CBM or 150–200 kg, where it’s often competitive with sea once transit and inventory costs are counted. For heavy, bulky, non-urgent goods, sea freight is cheaper. Send your weight and volume and we’ll tell you which wins.
Express is the fastest, fully door-to-door option and is priced with a 5000 volumetric divisor — best for urgent, smaller shipments. Standard air trades a little speed for a better per-kg rate as weight grows and can run airport-to-airport or door-to-door.
Usually yes, but they’re regulated by IATA. The goods must be packed, marked, and documented correctly, and some items travel only on certain services. Tell us the product and battery details up front so we prepare the right declarations.
Yes. We can collect from your supplier in China, handle export, fly the cargo, arrange import clearance, and deliver to your address — all under one booking.
Yes, and it’s recommended. Cover typically runs around 1% of the declared cargo value. Carrier liability is limited by weight, so insurance protects the goods’ actual value. See cargo insurance.
We ship from the main cargo gateways — Shanghai (PVG), Hong Kong (HKG), Guangzhou (CAN), Shenzhen (SZX), Beijing (PEK/PKX), Zhengzhou (CGO), and Chengdu (CTU/TFU) — choosing the one closest to your supplier and best for your lane.
We coordinate export handling at origin and can arrange import customs brokerage on request. Duties and import taxes are set by the destination country and are the importer’s responsibility.