Air freight

Types of cargo transported by air

Air freight covers a wide range of goods - from compact parcels to complex industrial products. Cargo is conventionally divided into three main categories.

General cargo consists of standard-type goods that do not require special storage or transport conditions: clothing, footwear, electronics, household and office goods, toys, spare parts. They are transported piece by piece or on pallets.

Special cargo requires particular handling. This category includes: valuables and jewellery, temperature-controlled cargo (food products, pharmaceuticals), live animals, as well as air freight from China and other regions, from which oversized equipment or production lines are often shipped.

Dangerous goods are regulated by the IATA DGR rules. Their transport is permitted only with the appropriate documentation and special marking. Permitted items (subject to certification) include certain chemical substances, batteries and aerosols. Prohibited for transport are: fireworks, fire extinguishers, medical waste, and some types of perfume and air fresheners.

Air cargo - what it is and who it suits

Air cargo is an air freight format in which the goods are delivered as part of a consolidated shipment together with other cargo from different senders. It is the optimal solution for businesses that need fast delivery, but the volume of goods does not allow filling a separate charter aircraft. Air cargo delivery is especially in demand for shipments from China, the UAE and Turkey - it is here that most of our clients regularly order goods in small and medium batches. Goods Bulk Supply consolidates cargo at its own warehouses in the countries of dispatch, which allows the transport cost to be significantly reduced for each client without losing speed. The average air cargo delivery time from China to Ukraine is 5 to 10 days - including customs clearance.

Advantages of air freight with Goods Bulk Supply

Air freight is not just a fast method of delivery. It is a strategic tool for a business that values time and reliability.

• Speed. Delivery between any points in the world takes 2 to 7 days, including customs clearance and cargo operations. No other mode of transport provides such a saving in time.
• Cargo safety. The risk of damage or theft in international air transport is one of the lowest among all modes of transport. The minimal number of transshipments and strict control at all stages guarantee the preservation of the goods.
• Global coverage. Air transport makes it possible to reach almost any point in the world - even where road or sea transport cannot reach.
• Insurance. International air freight is always accompanied by the option of cargo insurance, which protects the customer from any unforeseen situations.

What data is needed to arrange air freight

To obtain an accurate calculation of the cost price of cargo transport and to select the optimal route, you need to provide the manager with the following data:

• Type of goods - name, cargo class, the presence of special storage or transport conditions.
• Place of dispatch and final delivery point - relevant both for the door-to-door transport service and for terminal options.
• Quantity, weight and dimensions - total mass, dimensions.
• Country of export and import - for assessing customs procedures and duty rates.
• Contact details of the sender and recipient - for the correct preparation of the air waybill (AWB) and delivery notifications.

The more accurate the initial information, the faster the cargo transport calculation is carried out and the terms of the contract with the air carrier are agreed.

Features of transporting heavy cargo

Air freight in Ukraine includes working with non-standard cargo that requires an individual approach.

Cargo weighing more than 80 kg is considered heavy. Oversized cargo is that which exceeds the standard parameters of the cargo hatch (usually over 6.4 m in length or height). For such shipments, cargo vessels of increased load capacity are chartered - freighters or wide-body aircraft with large hatches.

An important nuance concerns air freight of cargo with a low weight but a large volume (light cargo). For such batches, logisticians calculate the so-called "volumetric" or "calculated" load: the volume of each piece is divided by a standard coefficient (usually 6000 or 5000 cu. cm/kg). The rate is charged for the greater of the two values - the actual or the volumetric weight. To minimise costs, packages are compactly placed on pallets and the total gross weight of the entire batch is taken into account.

What affects the cost of air freight

The cost of transporting cargo by aircraft is not a fixed value. It is formed from several key components:

• Distance and route. The farther the destination airport is from the departure airport, the higher the base freight. The availability of a direct flight or the need for transit also plays a significant role.
• Type and load capacity of the aircraft. Narrow-body aircraft on scheduled flights have limited belly hold space, so the price of cargo transport by aircraft on such routes may be higher.
• Type of flight. Scheduled flights are usually cheaper; charter flights are more flexible in loading terms but more expensive.
• Cargo characteristics. Hazard class, temperature regime, oversize or increased value - each of these factors affects the price of cargo transport by aircraft and the list of mandatory procedures.
• Seasonality. In peak seasons (pre-holiday months, the sowing campaign, e-commerce sales), demand for cargo air transport grows, which leads to an increase in rates.
• Additional services. Insurance, terminal handling, customs clearance, packaging and door-to-door transport - all of this is included in the total cost or priced separately.

Additional services

We offer a full cycle of logistics services that goes beyond simple transportation.

• Customs clearance. Preparation and submission of all the necessary documents for the customs authorities in the country of dispatch and destination. Relevant both for air freight in Ukraine and for international destinations.
• Supplier sourcing and verification. We help to find a reliable manufacturer or supplier abroad, conduct factory checks and product quality inspection before shipment.
• Warehouse services. Consolidation, deconsolidation, responsible storage, packaging and cargo inspection at warehouses in the countries of dispatch.
• Cargo insurance. We select the optimal insurance coverage in accordance with the route, class and value of the cargo.
• Payment to the supplier. We help to safely settle accounts with a foreign counterparty.
• Placing goods on the balance sheet. Support in maintaining records of imported goods in accordance with legal requirements.