Airport-to-airport and door-to-door air cargo from Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong for urgent shipments from about 100 kg.
Airport to airport on direct flights, before destination clearance and delivery.
The higher of actual weight and volumetric weight at a 6,000 divisor.
SDS, UN38.3 summary and packing checked before the booking is made.
Airport pickup, door delivery, or DDP with duties paid in one price.
Most air freight questions come down to three things: whether air is worth it against express or sea, what the real per-kg cost is after surcharges, and whether battery products can fly at all.
This page answers them in that order, with a worked Shenzhen–Frankfurt example in the rates section.
Battery shippers can skip to the last section.
You might also need these services! Express courier from China Sea freight from China DDP shipping from China Battery & electronics shipping
Pick the mode by weight and deadline: express for small parcels, air from about 100 kg when time matters, and sea above about 500 kg or when the cargo can wait.
| Factor | Express Courier | Air Freight | Sea Freight (LCL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical shipment | Under 100 kg | 100–1,000+ kg | 1–15 CBM |
| Reference cost | US$8–16 per kg | US$4.50–9.50 per kg | US$0.30–0.90 per kg equivalent |
| Transit time | 2–5 days door to door | 3–7 days airport to airport | 25–45 days |
| Billing | Volumetric, ÷ 5,000 | Chargeable weight, ÷ 6,000 | Per CBM or per 1,000 kg |
| Customs | Courier clears in most cases | Broker or DDP | Broker or DDP |
| Best for | Samples, documents | Urgent stock, parts | Regular stock, heavy goods |
In simple words: under 100 kg compare express first; between 100 and 500 kg air usually wins on cost per kg; above 500 kg get a sea quote unless the date cannot move.
Base rates fall as the weight break rises, and surcharges come on top.
Rates by weight break (China to Canada example)
| Weight Break | Economy | Standard | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45–100 kg | US$7.50–9.00 | US$8.50–10.50 | US$12.00–15.00 |
| 101–300 kg | US$6.50–8.00 | US$7.50–9.50 | US$10.00–13.00 |
| 301–500 kg | US$5.80–7.20 | US$6.80–8.50 | US$9.50–12.00 |
| 500+ kg | US$5.20–6.50 | US$6.20–7.80 | US$9.00–11.00 |
Per kg of chargeable weight, airport to airport, before surcharges, Q4 2026.
Example: 450 kg of electronics, Shenzhen to Frankfurt. At 2.2 CBM the volumetric weight is 367 kg, so the shipment is billed on its 450 kg actual weight. Base freight at US$5.20 per kg is US$2,340; fuel and security surcharges of US$410, origin handling of US$180 and destination terminal charges of US$150 bring the total to US$3,080, about 32% above the base.
Pro tip: one CBM counts as about 167 kg in air freight, so smaller cartons or tighter packing can bring light, bulky cargo below its volumetric weight.
Lithium battery cargo can fly from China when it is classified, packed and documented correctly, and the airline confirms acceptance at booking.
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