Air Freight
Air cargo · Export and import
When should you ship by air instead of sea?
Ship by air when the cargo is urgent, high in value for its weight, or perishable. It is charged on chargeable weight, the higher of actual weight and volume weight (length × width × height in cm ÷ 6,000), so compact, light cargo suits it best. Heavy or bulky cargo is far cheaper by sea.
We book the airline, prepare the air waybill, clear customs at the air cargo complex and arrange pickup and delivery. Samples, spare parts for a stopped machine, pharmaceuticals and short-deadline orders are the usual reasons.
- Airports
- Ahmedabad (AMD) and Mumbai (BOM), depending on the route
- Charged on
- Chargeable weight: actual or volume weight, whichever is higher
- Volume weight
- L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6,000
- Suits
- Urgent, high-value, light or perishable cargo
What's included
What is included in an air freight shipment?
From pickup at your door to the air waybill in your buyer's hands.
Chargeable weight worked out
Actual and volume weight compared before booking, so the rate is right the first time.
Airline booking
Direct or consolidated space on a flight that meets your deadline.
Pickup to the airport
Collected from your factory and delivered to the air cargo terminal.
Air cargo customs
Shipping bill or Bill of Entry filed and cleared at the air cargo complex.
Air waybill
House and master air waybill issued and sent to the consignee.
Special cargo
Temperature-controlled pharma and dangerous goods, where the airline accepts them.
Process
How does an air freight export work?
Air cargo moves in hours, so the paperwork has to be ready before the cargo leaves your door.
- Filed and followed by one team
- Attended at the port
- Clearance desk open 24 hours
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01
Air export
Dimensions and weight
Checked to work out the chargeable weight.
-
02
Air export
Rate and flight
Airline and flight confirmed against your deadline.
-
03
Air export
Pickup and delivery to terminal
Cargo packed, labelled and delivered to the air cargo terminal.
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04
Air export
Shipping bill filed
On ICEGATE at the air cargo complex.
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05
Air export
Screening and examination
Security screening and any customs examination.
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06
Air export
Let Export Order
Customs clears the cargo for loading.
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07
Air export
Flight and AWB
The cargo flies and the air waybill is sent to the consignee.
Documents
What documents are needed for air freight?
Close to the sea freight list, with the air waybill in place of the bill of lading.
Not sure what you have? Send photos of your documents on WhatsApp for a first check.
Send on WhatsApp| Document | Export | Import | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Required | Required | Value, currency and terms |
| Packing list | Required | Required | Exact dimensions and weight of each package |
| Air waybill (AWB) | Issued by us | Required | Airline or house AWB, the air equivalent of a B/L |
| Shipping bill or Bill of Entry | Required | Required | Filed on ICEGATE at the air cargo complex |
| IEC and GSTIN | Required | Required | Importer or exporter registration |
| MSDS and DG declaration | Hazardous cargo | Hazardous cargo | IATA dangerous goods rules apply |
| Licence or permit | By product | By product | For example drug controller or FSSAI |
Requirements change with the commodity and the rules in force, so we confirm the list for your consignment with every quote.
Quote
Get a quote for Air Freight
Rates and the document list for your consignment, back within 24 hours.
- A team at the port, in Gandhidham
- Clearance desk open 24 hours
- Document list with every quote
Air or sea
Air freight or sea freight: which should you choose?
Air saves days and costs more per kilo. The deadline and the weight decide.
| Air freight | Sea freight | |
|---|---|---|
| Transit | Hours to a few days | Days to weeks |
| Charged on | Chargeable weight (kg) | Per container, or per CBM for LCL |
| Best for | Urgent, high-value, light, perishable | Heavy, bulky, regular volumes |
| Size limits | Limited by aircraft doors and floor load | Containers, flat racks and breakbulk |
| Main document | Air waybill | Bill of lading |
Industries
Who ships by air with us?
Cargo where a missed day costs more than the freight.
Related services
What is usually booked with air freight?
What is chargeable weight in air freight?
Chargeable weight is the higher of the actual weight and the volume weight. Volume weight is length × width × height in centimetres divided by 6,000. A large, light carton is therefore charged on its size, not its weight, so accurate dimensions matter.
How long does air freight take?
Flight time is usually hours, but the whole door-to-door time includes pickup, screening, customs, the flight and delivery. Most air shipments take a few days end to end; direct flights and complete documents shorten it.
Is air freight worth the extra cost?
It is when a delay costs more than the freight: a stopped production line, a missed sample deadline or perishable goods. For heavy or bulky cargo with no hard deadline, sea freight is usually far cheaper.
Which documents do I need for an air shipment?
A commercial invoice, packing list with exact dimensions, the air waybill and the shipping bill or Bill of Entry, plus your IEC and GST details. Hazardous goods add an MSDS and a dangerous goods declaration, and some products need a licence.
Can pharmaceuticals be sent by air?
Yes. Temperature-controlled pharma is a common air cargo. It needs the right packaging, the temperature range on the booking and any drug controller documents. Tell us the range and the product before booking so the airline can accept it.
Can you clear air cargo customs as well?
Yes. We file the shipping bill for exports or the Bill of Entry for imports and clear the cargo at the air cargo complex, so the booking and the customs declaration are handled by the same team.
Can hazardous goods go by air?
Some can. Dangerous goods by air follow IATA rules: correct classification, packaging, labels, an MSDS and a shipper's declaration. Some classes are forbidden on passenger aircraft or refused by airlines, so we check before booking.
What is the difference between a house and a master air waybill?
The master air waybill is issued by the airline for the whole consolidated shipment. The house air waybill is issued by the forwarder to each shipper for their part. For a direct shipment there is only the master; for consolidated cargo, your buyer uses the house air waybill.