Air Freight

The Air Waybill (AWB) is a document that accompanies an airfreight shipment. The AWB is a contract between the sender and the airline transporting the shipment. The AWB is also evidence for the transport contract and for the delivery of the goods. 

Yes we can offer insurance at extra cost. There is no requirement to buy cargo insurance. However, it is highly recommended so you can better protect your goods from exposure to risks—some that could be catastrophic. It’s important to weigh the insurance costs with the potential losses and collateral damage that could occur without insurance.

To provide optimum protection to the freight, having cargo insurance is necessary. This insurance provides financial protection against physical loss or damage to freight during a shipment. The damage could be due to an external cause whether by land, sea or air.

Preparing cargo for air transportation is imperative to focus on the quality of packaging.

The consignor shall be responsible for proper cargo packaging to ensure safe cargo transportation, standard handling and prevent damage to people, cargo (goods) and other property (TACT rules).

It is crucial to choose a high-quality container that corresponds to the contents. It must reliably protect the cargo from any accidental damage during handing and transportation. This is especially important for fragile cargo, which, in addition to the rigid outer packaging, must be appropriately labeled: have handling symbols “fragile”, “do not drop”, etc. Air cargo must have a good packing for its reliable placement and fastening onboard of the aircraft and safety during transportation, transshipment, transportation and warehousing 

The packed cargo must not have sharp corners, protrusions and other things that could contaminate or damage the cargo space of aircraft and its equipment, as well as baggage and mail.

Metal, glass, ceramic, wooden, plastic and other packing for liquid and other goods to be transported by air must withstand excessive pressure depending on the altitude and temperature and ensure full protection against leakage, spillage or scattering of contents.

The packaging and labeling of dangerous cargo are subject to special requirements set out in IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations. 

The dimensions (length * width * height) and weight of each package are very important. Cargo dimensions must ensure its free loading (unloading) in the aircraft, placement in the cargo compartment and fastening, including on/in the load devices. The weight, dimensions or volume of cargo must not exceed the limits established for a certain type of aircraft, including when attaching them to/in the load devices.

Thus, the maximum permissible dimensions and weight of the package directly depend on the type of aircraft for air freight and the technical equipment of the cargo terminal. We recommend that all our consignors, if possible, contact us for advice during packaging of goods. 

Correct and clear marking of cargo is also crucial for the process of cargo transportation.

Cargo marking means inscriptions, conventional signs and marks directly on the product, packing or on sewn, glued or tied labels (tags).

Each cargo unit must be clearly, legibly and reliably marked to identify the consignor and the consignee. When it comes to cross-border shipment, the text marks on packages should be duplicated in English. They should contain the following details:

• full name of the consignor and consignee, their addresses and contact details as per the air waybill;
• points of departure and destination
• package number and total number of packages

Do not forget about the handling symbols and warnings prescribing the way of handling cargo during its warehousing, transshipment, transportation, use (“keep dry”, “protect from sunlight”, “fragile, handle with care”, “do not stack” etc.). Dangerous goods require special signs of stringent format, which are stamped under the supervision of a trained specialist.

In addition to the above general rules and standards, it is worth remembering that some countries set extra requirements for packages and labels on international cargo. In each case, these requirements must be studied and met by the consignor before export – in order to avoid delays and problems with customs, phytosanitary, quarantine and other control services of the destination, transit country. For example, the United States of America requires a fumigated seal on a wooden container of import cargo, otherwise such cargo is subject to re-export to the country of departure – at the expense of the consignor.

To make a booking we would need to know if the goods will be delivered to our warehouse, or if a collection is required. We will need a description of the goods, total number of pieces (Cartons, pallets etc.) total weight, and dimensions of each piece. The collection address (if required). 

We will require for all shipments, Invoice and packing list, detailing the shippers full name, address and contact details, the consignee (receiver) full name, address, and contact details, description of goods, and values. Also, who is paying for the shipment, and if it is to be delivered to arrival airport / port, or if customs clearance and delivery is required at destination.

The major factors to consider are urgency, and cost when choosing between Air or Sea freight. Usually, sea freight is less costly than air freight. Airfreight shipment can reach their destination in 1-3 days, whereas Sea freight is likely to take anything from 2 to 6 weeks. 

Usually, sea freight is less costly than air freight, depending on size and weight of the shipment.

There are very few items that cannot be shipped by air, but there are many restricted items that can be shipped if packed and documented as per IATA  regulations.

Restrictions on air cargo for items that may endanger the aircraft or passengers’ health or safety, or cause property damage, the main categories being:

Explosives: fireworks and firecrackers, detonating fuses, etc.;

Gases: such as compressed gas, dry ice, fire extinguisher, gas cartridge, inflated ball, respirator, explosive automotive airbag, aerosol, gas lighter, gas cylinder, and lamp bulb etc.;

Flammable liquid: e.g. paint, gasoline, alcohol, engine oil, camphor oil, engine starting fluid, turpentine, thinner, mucilage, perfume, insect sprays,  air freshener etc.

Flammable solid, pyrophoric substances, and substances that emit flammable gases in contact with water: e.g. activated carbon, titanium powder, copra, castor products, rubber debris, safety matches, dry white phosphorus , dry yellow phosphorus, magnesium powder, and solid gum, etc.

Toxic and infectious items: pesticides, lithium batteries

Corrosive items: e.g. batteries, alkaline battery electrolyte

Magnetic substances without degaussing packaging, magnetic steel and other strong magnetic products: e.g. currency detectors, speakers, magnets

Items dangerous to public health: e.g. corpses & bones (inc. incinerated), untanned hides, animal bones not processed with chemicals

Oxidizers, organic peroxides, radioactive materials & corrosive items: e.g. chemical medicines, lab chemicals (potassium permanganate, sulphuric acid)

Powder, liquids, pastes, and other items with danger signs on their packaging

Biochemical products and infectious materials of all kinds: e.g. bacillus anthracis, dangerous pathogens, medical wastes

Biochemical products and infectious materials of all kinds: e.g. bacillus anthracis, dangerous pathogens, medical wastes

Other restrictions will apply due to national laws and regulations of specific airlines. One example is that following the discovery of bombs on a flight due to leave the UK in 2010, the Government imposed a temporary ban on the carriage of printer cartridges from unapproved shippers.

Individuals who are sending personal effects or household items in a crate have to supply a full packing list.

Air charter is the business of renting an entire aircraft (i.e., chartering) as opposed to individual aircraft seats (i.e., purchasing a ticket through a traditional airline).

At considerable extra cost, it is possible to arrange the Aircraft Charter of a freight plane. This is paid for in advance, cancellation charges are steep, and the customer pays for a round trip. However, it can be possible to take advantage of empty ‘backhaul’ flights at better rates on some routes.

Typical costs will be, Airfreight, Airline Handling, Fuel Surcharge, Security (x-ray screening), War Risk Insurance surcharge, Covid Surcharge, Documentation, Customs Declaration, and Collection cost.  Insurance is often available on request, and is subject to the nature of goods and value. Goods must be professionally packed, as insurance claims will be rejected if goods are insufficiently packed.

Other charges, such as Dangerous Goods check fees, may be applicable.