Air Freight (a quick guide)
In the era of fast delivery and less patience, Air route provides the best means to transport your goods from one country to another. This book today and get delivered tomorrow method of transporting goods is our personal favourite read along, and you will understand why.
Let me get it straight IATA (the air transport association) declared that it expects the air cargo revenue to be USD 116.1 billion in 2019, up from USD 109.8 billion in 2018. The market is growing, and there is a reason for it.
Let's understand why?
- Fast and Furious.
- Multiple delivery options like -
- One Day Delivery
- Next Day Delivery.
- Next Flight out.
- Tracking at your fingertips.
- Landlocked country direct access - Not all country have access to water and sea transportation but the air they sure have, I know they have trade routes over the roads, but it takes a lot of valuable time for the goods to reach their destination.
But wait, all of it comes with a price.
Freight Rates
Air Freight rates can be four times (just an estimate based on experience) the Ocean Freight rates. It's not rocket science to understand why. There are different other charges associated with Air Freight like, fuel surcharges that may increase their rates further.
How is the Freight rate calculated?
There is a thing called Volumetric weight, and air Freight rates are decided upon them (not always though). You may be wondering how to calculate the Volumetric Weight of your good.
Follow the steps -
Step 1: Pick up your calculator if you are not good with maths(important). Step 2: Multiply the dimensions of your pallet [LxBxH] in cm or m scale. Step 3: If you have used cm as your scale convert the product to cubic meters. Step 4: Divide the product by 0.006. Step 5: The result is your Volumetric weight in Kgs.
*Don't forget to multiply the Volumetric weight of one pallet with the number of pallets you have.
Example: A pallet whose Length is 1.5m, Breadth is 1m, Height is 0.5m will have its product [LxBxH] = 0.75 cubic meter hence, its volumetric weight will be 0.75/0.006 = 125kg.
But there is a catch if the volumetric weight is lower than its actual weight. The Air Freight will be charged on your actual weight.
When should I use Air route?
By now you know that Air route is the fastest but not the cheapest means to transport your goods overseas. So when should you go for it?
The answer to the above questions is it depends. If you have the money you could even transport a car via Air but is it feasible? Hell No!
If your goods have to reach the market just in time like for example chocolates or cookies before Christmas Holiday. If the goods are perishable like fruits, food items etc. Light-weighted goods like pharmaceuticals and precious metals and ornaments can also be sent through Air. You get the gist of it right?
In a Nutshell
Air route can be a good means to transport time bonded and light-weighted goods overseas. One should keep in mind about the volumetric weight while asking for a quotation from a Freight forwarder. The means of transport is fast and comes with a lot of other benefits but is expensive. Perishable goods like food items, precious metals and pharmaceuticals are carried majorly through Air routes.