Air Freight from China: A Fast and Reliable Solution for International Trade
In today’s world, where the speed of goods transfer determines business success, air freight from China to Iran is recognized as one of the most efficient methods of sourcing goods. The Chinese market, as a major supplier of various industrial, electronic, consumer, and specialized products, requires a precise strategy for rapid loading and shipment. On this page, we will take a comprehensive look at the advantages, costs, and steps of air freight from China so that you can make the best decision for your business with full information.
Why Air Freight from China?
High speed: Compared with sea or land transport, air freight typically can deliver goods from origin in China to destination in Iran within 3 to 7 business days. Security and real-time tracking: With air freight, continuous tracking of cargo is possible and a substantially higher level of security is provided compared to other methods. Suitable for high-value, low-weight goods: For items that have high value or need to reach the market quickly, air freight is the best choice.Major Airports and Ports in China
For precise planning of shipments, familiarity with China’s main infrastructure is important. Major airports in China:- CAN (Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport)
- PEK (Beijing Capital International Airport)
- PVG (Shanghai Pudong International Airport)
- SZX (Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport)
Major ports of China (in relation to sea-air multimodal transit and overland transfer to airports):
- Shanghai Port
- Shenzhen Port
- Qingdao Port
- Tianjin Port
Cost and Time Estimates
Cargo cost from China
Depending on volume, weight, and type of goods, cargo costs from China vary. Factors such as the loading point (for example shipments from Shenzhen and Guangzhou), customs conditions, and packaging method affect the final price.
Cost per kilogram of air cargo from China
One common metric for calculating air freight cost is the cost per kilogram from China. For example, goods with low volume and high value are charged based on chargeable weight. This rate is determined relative to the distance between origin and destination airports (e.g., Berlin → Tehran) and seasonal conditions (rates may be higher at the beginning of the calendar year).Cost and transit time for air shipments from China
Transit time: usually between 3 to 7 business days (accounting for possible customs delays). Total cost: sum of air freight, insurance (if chosen), origin and destination clearance fees, and domestic transport costs. For example, for a shipment with a net weight of 100 kg from SZX to Iran, a market-average per-kilogram rate might be around $5 to $7 USD; however, to obtain an accurate and up-to-date rate, more detailed information on volume, dimensions, and type of goods is required.Shipping from Shenzhen and Guangzhou
Shenzhen and Guangzhou are major industrial centers in China.- Shipping from Shenzhen: SZX airport is popular due to its proximity to electronics manufacturing hubs, smart parts, and electronic products.
- Shipping from Guangzhou: CAN airport provides smooth access to the garment, sporting goods, and consumer goods industries.
Air Transport of Dangerous Goods from China
For certain goods such as chemicals, lithium batteries, or sensitive components, special regulations must be followed. Air transport of dangerous goods from China is conducted in strict compliance with organizational regulations (IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations). Accurate packaging, labeling, and documentation are essential requirements of this process to avoid customs delays. Providing an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and certificates related to international standards is a necessary step for shipping dangerous goods.Air Transport of Heavy Cargo from China
Sometimes heavy and oversized items (such as industrial machinery, turbine parts, or large medical equipment) require air transport. In such cases, precise calculation of volumetric weight and consideration of each airline’s limitations are essential. Due to weight restrictions on regular flights, charter flights are often used to transport heavy shipments directly and non-stop to the destination. The cost of heavy air cargo is naturally higher, but considering the time savings and rapid transfer to the destination warehouse, it is a desirable option for time-sensitive goods.Steps for Shipping Air Cargo from China
1- Initial inquiry and consultation
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- Provide cargo information: weight, dimensions, type of goods (dangerous or non-dangerous).
- Determine loading point: CAN, PEK, PVG, SZX, or ports such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Qingdao, and Tianjin.
2- Booking and coordination with the carrier
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- Select the airline and check flight capacity.
- Determine service type (Standard, Priority, Charter).
3- Packaging and documentation
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- Packaging according to international standards (especially for dangerous goods).
- Prepare and complete customs documents and obtain necessary certificates.
4- Transport to local warehouse and then to origin airport
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- If necessary, transfer from major seaports (Shanghai, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Tianjin) or directly from factory/warehouse.
5- Origin air cargo clearance
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- Complete customs procedures and obtain air cargo clearance in China.
6- Loading at airport and dispatch to destination
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- Issue the Air Waybill (AWB) and check in the cargo.
7- Destination air cargo clearance
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- Present documents to Iranian customs, pay duties and taxes.
- Clearance and transfer to the customer’s warehouse.
Air Cargo Clearance
One of the most important challenges in air freight is the clearance process at both origin and destination. In China, key documents for air cargo clearance include the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin (CO), and special permits (if goods are sensitive). In Iran, you will need to present customs documents, economic code, operation license (for some goods), and pay duties and taxes. Working with experienced customs agents can minimize clearance time and prevent long delays.Important Planning Considerations for Air Freight
- Selection of origin airport or port: Depending on the type of goods and place of production, direct shipment from PEK (Beijing), PVG (Shanghai), or SZX (Shenzhen) may be more efficient. For goods that first arrive at Shanghai or Shenzhen ports, transferring to the nearby airport and then air shipping is the best option.
- Accurate cost and time estimation: By calculating cost and transit time for air freight from China, you can better predict time to market. Note that exchange rate fluctuations and temporary changes in the air market may affect costs.
- Documentation management and regulatory compliance: Especially for dangerous goods, precise preparation of MSDS and adherence to packaging standards are highly important.
- Review insurance options and risk coverage: Given the value of your goods, choosing appropriate insurance to protect against potential losses (such as damage or loss) is essential.
Why Choose Arian Logistics?
Our team at Arian Logistics, with years of experience in shipping from Shenzhen and Guangzhou and across all major Chinese airports and ports, CAN, PEK, PVG, SZX, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Tianjin, is ready to serve you. We handle air cargo customs clearance at origin and destination with an experienced team and customs lawyers so your package reaches you quickly and without delay. If you need to ship dangerous goods by air from China or heavy cargo by air from China, our experts fully cover specialized packaging, documentation, and obtaining the necessary permits. To receive an accurate freight cost estimate from China, the cost per kilogram of air cargo from China, and the required timing for cost and transit time of air cargo from China, simply contact us now. Arian Logistics consultants will respond promptly and guide you through each step of shipping air cargo from China.
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