Air Freight from China
When sea freight is too slow, we move your cargo from China by air — door-to-door in days, with consolidation and customs handled.
Air freight is what you use when time costs more than money — an urgent restock, a product launch, a high-value order you don't want sitting at sea for two months. We move it from the Chinese factory to your door in days, not weeks, and handle the consolidation, export, and customs around it.
Air isn't one service but several, from a 5 kg express parcel to a pallet on standard air cargo. We pick the tier that fits your weight, budget, and deadline — and manage the volumetric-weight maths and dangerous-goods rules that quietly inflate an air bill if no one's watching.
Who this is for
This service is for:
- Importers with urgent or seasonal orders that can't wait 35–45 days for sea freight.
- Sellers shipping high-value, low-volume goods — electronics, samples, spare parts — where speed beats per-kg cost.
- Businesses launching a product who need the first batch on shelves fast to test demand.
What we do
- 1
Collect & consolidate
We pick goods up from your suppliers across China and gather them at our warehouse.
- 2
Weigh & quote
We calculate chargeable weight — actual vs. volumetric — and give you a clear per-kg rate.
- 3
Pack & document
We pack to air-cargo standards and prepare the invoice, packing list and export papers.
- 4
Fly out
Cargo departs on scheduled airlines, or charter for the fastest available slot.
- 5
Customs & delivery
We clear it on arrival and deliver door-to-door to your destination, wherever you import.
Air service levels
Air freight spans a range of speeds and prices. We match the tier to your shipment rather than defaulting to the most expensive.
Express courier
DHL/FedEx-style door-to-door for smaller parcels, ~3–7 days. Fastest, simplest, best under ~30 kg.
Standard air cargo
Airport-to-airport plus clearance and delivery, ~5–10 days. The workhorse for pallets and mid-weight loads.
Consolidated air
Your goods combined with others on regular air lanes — air speed at a lower per-kg rate.
Charter / urgent
For time-critical bulk when scheduled capacity isn't fast enough.
What we handle for an air shipment
Air is unforgiving of mistakes — a missed dangerous-goods declaration or a miscalculated volumetric weight turns a fast shipment into a stuck or overpriced one. We manage the details so the speed you paid for actually happens.
From pickup in China to your door, it's one chain we own.
- Pickup from the supplier and consolidation
- Volumetric (chargeable) weight checked and optimised
- Dangerous-goods screening and paperwork (e.g. batteries)
- Export clearance and airline booking
- Customs clearance on arrival
- Door-to-door delivery and tracking
- Cargo insurance on request
Air freight at a glance
Rough figures for a typical export lane out of China, to set expectations. We quote live rates against your actual weight and dimensions.
The number that surprises first-time shippers is volumetric weight: light but bulky cargo is charged on the space it takes, not the scale.
What's best suited to air
Air earns its premium on cargo where speed or value justify it. For heavy, bulky, low-value goods, sea freight is almost always the smarter call — and we'll tell you so.
Not sure which way your order leans? Send the weight and dimensions and we'll compare both.
Why it matters
The problem we solve — and how we solve it.
Couriers quote a low rate, then bill volumetric weight and surcharges you never saw.
We tell you the chargeable weight and the all-in price up front — no surprise fees.
Goods from several suppliers reach the airport piecemeal and miss the flight.
We consolidate everything first, so your shipment leaves as one and on schedule.
Weak export paperwork gets cargo held at customs, killing the speed you paid for.
Our team prepares export and import documents so air speed isn't lost at the border.
How we compare
| Silk Way Sourcing | Typical logistics company | Alibaba sourcing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 5–10 days door-to-door | Quotes air, rarely consolidates | Alibaba courier — slow, marked up |
| Pricing | All-in chargeable-weight rate | Base rate + hidden surcharges | Inflated freight at checkout |
| Consolidation | Many suppliers into one shipment | Usually one shipper only | Each order ships separately |
| Customs | Export + import handled | Export only | Left to you |
Frequently asked questions
When is sea freight cheaper than air?
Air makes sense for urgent, light or high-value cargo; sea wins on cost for anything heavy or bulky. As a rule of thumb, once a shipment passes roughly 200–500 kg (or the volume fills much of a pallet), sea or rail is usually far cheaper per kg — sea runs a few dollars per kg versus ~$8–10/kg by air, at the cost of 30–45 days instead of 3–10. We quote both so you can compare landed cost against transit time.
How long does air freight from China take?
Typically 3–10 days door-to-door, depending on the destination, service level and customs. Express courier is fastest for small parcels; standard air cargo takes a little longer but suits pallets.
How much does air freight cost per kg?
As a rough guide, around $8–10 per kg, but it varies with weight, dimensions, and urgency. We quote a live rate against your actual cargo — and check whether sea would save you significantly.
What is volumetric weight?
Airlines charge on whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric weight (volume ÷ 6000 for cm³). Light but bulky cargo is billed on the space it occupies — we calculate it up front so the quote holds.
What's the difference between express courier and air cargo?
Express courier (DHL/FedEx-style) is door-to-door and simplest for small parcels under ~30 kg. Air cargo is for heavier loads — airport-to-airport with our clearance and delivery added, usually cheaper per kg at volume.
Can you ship batteries and electronics by air?
Yes, but lithium batteries are dangerous goods and must move with MSDS, UN38.3, and IATA-compliant packaging. We handle the declarations so they fly legally instead of being seized — see our battery delivery service.
Is customs clearance included?
Yes — export clearance in China and import clearance on arrival, with the paperwork prepared so your fast shipment doesn't stall at the border.
What can't be sent by air?
Some dangerous or restricted goods can't fly, and very heavy or bulky low-value cargo is uneconomical by air. Tell us what it is and we'll confirm the best mode.
How much does air freight cost?
Pricing isn't fixed — it depends on the complexity, scope, and resources the job needs. Tell us what you're planning and we'll give you a clear quote up front, with no hidden costs.
What importers say after working with us
Sourcing wins across steel, solar, energy storage, construction materials and supplier verification. Client names are withheld for confidentiality.
- Steel & metals
We needed 200 tonnes of hot-rolled coil and kept getting quotes from traders. Silk Way took us straight to the mill, verified it, and inspected the load before we paid the balance.
Importer, steel & metals · Egypt - Solar energy
They caught that our 'factory' was actually a trading company and found us the real manufacturer — it saved us from a costly mistake.
Importer, solar EPC · Poland - Fiber optics
Single-mode fiber for a regional network build, delivered on spec and on time. The pre-shipment inspection report gave our own client real confidence.
Telecom contractor · Kenya
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Learn moreMeet our team of experts
Our team brings hands-on experience in sourcing, quality control, and logistics, working closely with manufacturers to ensure reliable results at every stage.
Arkadii Vakhnovskyi
Founder & CEO
Dmitry Markov
Head of Operations & CTO
Andy Wang
Logistics & Compliance Manager
Alyona
Marketing & SMM
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