The comparison under “When air is the right question” is for choosing the mode.Ask for the air quote when the pieces and the deadline are known. If a dimension is still open,see what you can mark unknown and still send.
When air is the right question
Air freight from China to the USA is the mode to ask for when the cargo cannot wait on the ocean, or when the value and the size make the ocean saving too small to wait for.
- A production date slipped and the U.S. delivery cannot
- The shipment is small, dense, and worth more than the freight difference
- Samples or a first order need to arrive before a larger ocean lot
- The product is ordinary commercial cargo an airline will accept
Air is a poor fit for very heavy or very bulky freight unless the deadline forces it. If you are comparing the two, send one set of dimensions and ask for both. Readocean freight andshipping cost for the other side of that choice.
| Question | Choose air when | Choose ocean when |
|---|---|---|
| Clock | The delivery is counted in days, plus pickup and customs | The delivery can be counted in weeks |
| Cargo | Smaller, denser, or a first lot that cannot wait | Cartons, pallets, or a container |
| Price logic | Chargeable weight, not a published per-kilo card | Per container or LCL measure, not a published rate card |
Chargeable weight
Chargeable weight is the greater of the actual weight and a dimensional weight the carrier calculates from the carton size. A light, bulky carton can bill on volume. The divisor used to convert volume into weight depends on the airline, so this page does not lock in a single formula.
Send piece count, dimensions, and weight if you have them. If you do not, say "unknown" and we will ask before we price. A quote built on a guessed cube is not a quote you should book.
Airport to airport, or door
Airport-to-airport covers the flight and the terminals named on the quote. Door-to-door adds pickup in China and delivery in the United States, using truckers booked for that job. Say which one you want. A door quote is not a claim that we own trucks or a warehouse at either airport.
Origins we are often asked about include Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), and Shenzhen (SZX). U.S. arrivals often include Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), and New York (JFK). Other airports are fine if the airline has the flight. Naming them here is geography, not a facility we operate.
What to send with the request
- Pickup city or airport in China
- U.S. airport, city and ZIP, or FBA code
- What the goods are, including batteries or liquids if any are in the cartons
- Piece count, dimensions, and weight
- The ready date and the date you need it in the United States
Batteries, magnets, liquids, and powders can be refused or moved only on a cargo aircraft. Mention them in the notes. We would rather decline a booking than discover the restriction at the airline counter. This site does not describe a dangerous-goods program or an IATA code.
Amazon inbound is covered onAmazon FBA inbound process. The lane overview is China to USA shipping. The steps to a written number are on how we prepare a quote.
FAQ
What is chargeable weight for air freight?
Chargeable weight is the greater of the actual weight and a dimensional weight the carrier calculates from the carton size. A light, bulky carton can bill on volume. The divisor depends on the airline, so this page does not lock in one formula.
What is the difference between airport-to-airport and door-to-door air freight?
Airport-to-airport covers the flight and the terminals named on the quote. Door-to-door adds pickup in China and delivery in the United States, using truckers booked for that job. A door quote is not a claim that we own trucks or a warehouse at either airport.
Do I have to declare batteries?
Yes. Batteries, magnets, liquids, and powders can be refused or moved only on a cargo aircraft. Mention them in the notes before we price the flight. This site does not describe a dangerous-goods program or an IATA code.
Why is there no per-kilo air freight rate on this page?
Airline prices move with the lane, the product, and the space on a flight. This page is not an express-courier rate card. The per-kilo or per-shipment figure, if we can offer one, is on the written quote.
When is air a better question than ocean?
Ask for air when the cargo has to move in days rather than weeks, or when the shipment is small and waiting on the ocean costs more than the freight difference. Very heavy or very bulky freight is usually an ocean question unless the deadline forces air. Send one set of dimensions and we can price the mode the carriers will actually take.
Which airports can you quote from China to the USA?
Origins we are often asked about include Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), and Shenzhen (SZX). U.S. arrivals often include Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), and New York (JFK). Other airports are fine if an airline has the flight. Naming them here is geography, not a facility we operate.