When five weeks on the water isn't an option
Launch inventory, a line-down emergency, or a batch of boards worth more than the container they'd ride in. We fly it from South and East China to your door, usually inside a week.
Standard consolidated
Our weekly consols out of HKG and SZX. 4–6 days door to door, best rate per kilo. Most of our air volume goes this way.
Direct / next flight out
Booked on the first available flight with space. 2–4 days door to door. Used for line-down parts and missed launch dates.
Part and full charter
For 20+ tonnes at once, usually a product launch. We've chartered 747F and 777F aircraft for clients into ORD and YYZ.
Block space in the months it's hardest to find
We buy guaranteed weekly space on freighters out of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, including through Q4. When the market tightens in November, our clients are flying on space we already paid for.
And because we're also the customs broker, air shipments are pre-cleared before wheels-down. Your cargo is usually available for pickup the same day it lands.
- Airports: HKG, SZX, CAN, PVG, NGB
- Destinations: ORD, LAX, JFK, DFW, ATL, YYZ, YVR
- Lithium battery (UN3480/3481) shipments handled by certified staff
- Temperature-logged shipments on request
- Sea-air through Dubai or Incheon for a middle-ground price
A rough guide to picking a mode
Based on a typical 2 cubic meter, 400 kg shipment of consumer electronics from Shenzhen to Chicago.
| Mode | Door to door | Relative cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean LCL | 32–40 days | 1× | Planned replenishment, non-urgent parts |
| Sea-air | 16–22 days | 3–4× | Seasonal catch-up, mid-value goods |
| Air consolidated | 4–6 days | 6–8× | Launch stock, samples, high-value electronics |
| Air direct / NFO | 2–4 days | 9–12× | Line-down emergencies |
Illustrative only. Rates move a lot through the year; ask for a quote on your actual lane.
Air freight FAQ
How is air freight charged?
By chargeable weight, which is the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight (length × width × height in cm ÷ 6,000). Bulky, light cartons often get charged on volume, so it's worth checking your packaging.
Can you fly products with lithium batteries?
Yes, as long as they're properly classified, packed and labeled. Most consumer electronics with batteries inside the device (UN3481) fly without trouble. Standalone batteries (UN3480) are cargo-aircraft only and need more lead time. Send us the MSDS and UN38.3 test summary with your booking.
What's the latest we can book for a same-week flight?
For consolidated service, Tuesday noon China time for a Friday departure. For direct flights, we've booked cargo that was still on a production line that morning. Call us.
Have a production schedule we should see?
Send us your PO dates and lane details. A planner (not a bot) will come back with routing options and a rate within one business day.