Introduction to Air Freight Services
Air freight is the fastest logistics service connecting China to world markets, ideal for time-sensitive shipments. As a trusted global freight forwarder, Presou Logistics offers a comprehensive set of air freight solutions to meet varied needs of international businesses. With a national air freight network in operation, we offer timely and safe shipment of goods to destinations such as the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, and others — including deliveries to Amazon FBA warehouses.
We provide direct air freight from principal Chinese international airports and low-cost consolidated air freight, enabling clients to realize the best cost and speed balance. Our services include from pickup to warehousing, specialist packaging and labeling, customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery — an all-in-one solution for trouble-free shipping.
Presou Logistics is deeply involved with customers to understand their shipping needs and business demands, offering customized air freight solutions backed by high service standards and consistent reliability — hassle-free experience to your foreign trade.
Large Chinese Airports
China has numerous internationally connected, efficiently operated air cargo spokes that serve all of the key manufacturing and export regions. Presou Logistics benefits from these strategic airport positions to stage departures near suppliers, avoiding domestic transit cost and reducing delivery time — ultimately improving efficiency and lowering cost. The major airports we use are:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
As Northern China’s core aviation center, PEK handles over 2 million tons of cargo annually. With extensive international routes to the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Germany, it is ideal for high-frequency volumes, including pharmaceuticals, perishables, and hazardous goods.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Handling over 3.6 million tons a year, PVG is China’s busiest port of cargo and the world’s third busiest. Its terminals specializing in cargo and FedEx Asia-Pacific hub make fast turnaround possible for U.S., Canadian, German, and French-bound shipments — the ideal choice for time-critical, high-frequency deliveries.
Cargo Specs (>200kg / 2CBM)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Located within the Pearl River Delta industrial region, CAN processes over 2.6 million tons annually with strong connections to the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and markets in the West. It’s ideal for shipping electronics, machinery, apparel, and consumer goods.
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)
SZX is also a key exit channel for cross-border e-commerce, handling over 1 million tons annually, and boasts superior handling facilities that are e-commerce parcel-specific — particularly well-suited to 3C electronics, best sellers, and Amazon FBA freight.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
As a gateway to Western China, CTU handles nearly 700,000 tons of freight annually, serving Germany, Japan, and Australia routes. It processes FedEx and DHL operations of significant size, making it an appropriate selection for Southwest China-based and Southwest China-serving companies.
We also offer air freight from Xi’an, Hangzhou, and Hong Kong airports. Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world’s busiest cargo airports, provides better customs efficiency and global coverage — ideal for high-value or sensitive shipments.
With Presou Logistics, you can choose the optimum departure airport based on cargo origin, type, and destination — achieving optimum cost and transit time.
Air Freight Charges from China
Air freight cost from China depends on a series of important factors: destination city/country, volume and weight of goods, service type (express or regular), departure airport, and adding value services like door-to-door pickup. Freight is usually charged on chargeable weight, higher of actual or volumetric weight, for each kilogram.
For example, standard air freight from China to the U.S. usually ranges from $5–8/kg, while express services may exceed $10/kg. Prices fluctuate based on airline space availability, fuel surcharges, and seasonal demand.
Departure airport also affects cost: Tier-1 hubs like Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen offer more frequent flights and competitive rates; inland cities like Xi’an or Chengdu may involve higher costs due to transshipment.
Presou Logistics helps you design the most affordable shipping method based on your cargo type, origin, and target market. For a specific quote, we offer one-on-one counseling and estimates.
How to Reduce Air Freight Cost
While speed is offered by air freight, cost control is also an issue. Here are safe methods to minimize your shipping cost:
Optimize Package Size and Weight
Since chargeable weight relies on higher actual or volumetric weight, keeping volume and filler materials to a minimum will yield huge rewards. Expert packaging advice to achieve volume minimization with safety in mind can be accessed from Presou Logistics.
Consolidate Shipments
If shipping multiple shipments to the same destination, grouping them into one shipment takes the most advantage of tiered rate bands (e.g., 45kg, 100kg, 300kg, 500kg, 1000kg). Bigger shipments receive lower per-kilo prices, so consolidation saves unit costs.
Avoid Peak Surcharges by Planning Ahead
Same-day airmail typically comes with premium surcharges. Ship ahead and avoid peak hours and you get lower prices and more stable capacity.
Negotiate Better Pricing
For repeat volumes of clients, Presou Logistics is able to shop rates across several airlines and work out discounts. Having a network of airline relationships, we are able to match the best carrier to your routing and cargo class.
These strategies reduce air freight costs without compromising speed and efficiency. Presou Logistics is committed to designing optimized solutions to fit your needs.
Typical Air Freight Process
Air freight is a coordinated, multi-step process. Presou Logistics offers a seamless, end-to-end process to ensure safe and efficient China international shipping. The following is an overview of the process:
Shipment Information Collection
Client supplies product name, quantity, size, weight, origin, destination, and preferred delivery time. We schedule transportation and offer a quote.
Pickup and Preparation
If necessary, we arrange pick-up and delivery to the airport warehouse of departure. Cargo is loaded, weighed, measured, inspected, and packed to airline levels there.
Flight Booking & Documentation
We book a flight based on routing and prepare documents such as the air waybill (AWB), commercial invoice, and packing list.
Security Check & Customs Clearance
Shipment passes through security check and export customs clearance before being handed over to the airline.
In-Transit Monitoring
Presou Logistics tracks flight and alerts customers of actual shipment status.
Arrival & Final Delivery
Our global agents perform last delivery and customs clearance as per the client’s preference. We offer door-to-door service where required.
IRRESPECTIVE OF THE LEVEL OF SHIPPER EXPERIENCE
Be it the novice or the experienced shipper, Presou Logistics ensures customers’ freight arrives on time and in undamaged condition — with open, active communication at each point.
Understanding Chargeable Weight
Actual Weight vs. Volumetric Weight: How is Air Freight Charged?
Air freight isn’t charged on actual weight alone — space usage counts too. That’s where volumetric (dimensional) weight comes in:
Actual Weight: The physical weight of the cargo as measured on a scale.
Volumetric Weight: A calculated value that determines how much space the shipment takes up within the plane.
Airlines charge the greater of the two to profit even on light but bulky pieces.
How to Calculate Volumetric Weight
Common formulas:
Volumetric Weight (kg) = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 6000 (normal air freight)
Volumetric Weight (kg) = CBM × 167 (CBM = cubic meters)
Example:
A 100×100×100cm shipment with actual weight of 100kg:
Volumetric weight = 100×100×100 ÷ 6000 = 167kg
Or 1 CBM × 167 = 167kg
For international couriers (DHL, FedEx, TNT), the divisor is 5000:
Volumetric weight = 100×100×100 ÷ 5000 = 200kg
So even though the shipment weighs 100kg, the air freight chargeable weight would be 167kg — and 200kg for express.
If the actual weight is greater than the volumetric weight (e.g., 300kg in same size), the actual weight is the chargeable weight.
Why It Matters
The majority of customers expect that charges are only on actual weight, and they end up getting extra charges. Knowing the chargeable weight helps you to budget more efficiently.
To help you save money, maintain the packaging volume low and avoid light large packages. Presou Logistics offers packaging advice, dimensional weight calculations, and open quoting.
Request a quote for your tailored shipment.
Air Freight vs. Ocean Freight
Air freight and ocean freight are the two principal shipping modes in global logistics — both having their strengths.
The largest benefit of air freight is speed. Movement from China to Europe, the United States, or Southeast Asia typically takes 3–7 days — ideal for time-sensitive shipments like electronics, fashion products, medical supplies, or high-value items. Though more costly, air freight significantly shortens the supply chain and accelerates cash flow.
Ocean transport, though, is significantly lower in cost and suitable for heavy, bulky, or less pressing cargo — such as machinery, furniture, construction materials, or bulk items. Transportation from China to North America or Europe will be 25–40 days, though every unit is much lower in cost.
Presou Logistics can help analyze your cargo’s nature, schedule, and costs to recommend the best shipping mode — even combining air and sea for hybrid “speed-plus-savings” solutions.
Why Presou Logistics
With many freight forwarders to choose from, Presou Logistics stands out through professionalism, global reach, and customer-oriented service. Our extensive network across China’s major air hubs and long-standing airline connections ensure secure, efficient, and transparent air freight experiences.
Our team is experienced with all types of cargo — from general merchandise and perishable goods to electronics and Amazon FBA — and can tailor solutions to suit your specific needs, including customs and end-to-end fulfillment.
Working with Presou Logistics is about engaging with a professional logistics firm that adds real value to your supply chain. Obtain a tailored quote and air freight consultation today.
