Compared to sea freight, air freight is much faster but costs higher. Air freight is a safe and efficient way for immediate transportation. Air cargo always has high value-to-weight or have a severe timeline.  Let's go to details.

Air cargo types
Sea freight almost accept any type of goods, while air freight has strick rules in view of safety issues. It divide goods into 2 types:

• General goods --- Such as electronics, Jewelry, pharmaceuticals, wristwatches are high value. 

• Special goods --- Including living animals, goods that are dangerous or need temperature control. For example, almost all air lines reject power banks and batteries unless shipper can supply all required documents. Some air lines accept devices with in-built batteries, but some reject. For example, bluetooth speakers with in-built lithium batteries are rejected in Guangzhou, Shenzhen but accepted in Hongkong.

To make it easy, you only need remember:

• All batteries and liquid are banned. (unless you can provide required documents.)

• Charges --- Air cargo rate is calculated by chargeable weight, measurement unit is kilogram. It involves one term, dimensional and weight.
  

  Carrier charge for freight based on the dimensional weight or actual gross weight whichever is higher.
  

  There are other charges in the airport, which you can consult with forwarders or airlines. 

By the way, the MOQ accepted by air freight is 45KG.

Documentation and customs clearance

• Invoice

• Pakcing list

• Certificates --- If goods are not regulated by air lines, certificates are almost the same as those in sea freight. 

• AWB --- Air Waybill (AWB).If you have read our blog about Bill of Lading, you can also understand the AWB. AWB is almost the same structure as Ocean Bill of Lading (OBL).

Some forwarders focus on air freight, and provides service like booking airline space, customs clearance,even door-door delivery etc. 

Cargo insurance

Whichever shipping way you choose, don't forget to buy cargo insurance. But it is not a must in most cases, but necessary, especially in regions with hard customs or social upheaval.