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International Air Freight Shipping Services

Air cargo for time-sensitive and high-value goods, booked from China airports with destination clearance and delivery arranged on request.

Air freight moves cargo on passenger and cargo aircraft. It is the fastest way to ship from China: standard air cargo takes about 3 to 7 days to Pakistan, measured from the day cargo is received at the origin airport. Air is priced on chargeable weight, which is the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is length Ă— width Ă— height in centimetres, divided by 6000 for standard air cargo. Express courier services are faster for small parcels and cost more per kilo. Lithium batteries and other dangerous goods need extra paperwork.

Our air freight services

Standard air cargo. Consolidated cargo on scheduled passenger and cargo flights. Best for commercial shipments of 100 kg or more.

Express shipping. Door-to-door courier with tracking, for samples and small parcels. Covered on the express shipping page.

Door-to-door air freight. Supplier pickup in China, export clearance, air transit and delivery at destination. 

DDP air freight. Air freight with customs clearance and duties paid, priced as one quote. See the DDP shipping service.

How air freight works at Speedline

  1. Send your cargo details. Origin city, destination, cargo type, number of cartons, dimensions and weight per carton, and cargo value.
  2. We calculate chargeable weight and recommend a product. Standard air cargo or express, depending on speed, weight and value.
  3. We collect or receive, then book. Cargo is collected from your supplier or received at our warehouse, checked and booked on a flight.
  4. We prepare documents and screen. Commercial invoice, packing list, House Air Waybill and dangerous goods paperwork where needed. Export cargo at Chinese airports is subject to security screening.
  5. We fly and track. Each shipment has an air waybill number and updates at departure, arrival and customs release.
  6. We clear and deliver. Destination clearance, duties where included in the quote, and delivery to your address.

Global air lanes

China to Pakistan (confirmed lane). Air cargo arrives at Karachi Jinnah International (KHI) and Lahore Allama Iqbal International (LHE). Sea and air routes are compared on the sea freight page.

China to UK (requires confirmation). Air cargo to London Heathrow, Manchester and the East Midlands is common on this route. 

China to USA (requires confirmation). Air cargo to major US gateways, with delivery by truck. 

Other lanes (mention only). Contact us to confirm air availability on your route.

Chargeable weight: how to calculate it

Airlines charge on chargeable weight. This is the higher of:

  • Actual gross weight: what the scale shows, including packaging, pallets and any ULD.
  • Volumetric weight: length Ă— width Ă— height of each carton in centimetres, multiplied by the number of cartons, then divided by 6000 for standard air cargo.

The 6000 divisor means 1 cubic metre equals 167 kg of chargeable weight. Express courier companies commonly use a divisor of 5000, which gives 200 kg per cubic metre.

Worked example (standard air cargo, divisor 6000):

Cargo

Dimensions and quantity

Actual gross weight

Volumetric weight

Billed weight

Textile and apparel cartons

10 boxes, 60 Ă— 50 Ă— 40 cm

140 kg

1,200,000 / 6000 = 200 kg

200 kg (volumetric)

Industrial metal spare parts

5 boxes, 40 Ă— 30 Ă— 20 cm

110 kg

120,000 / 6000 = 20 kg

110 kg (gross)

The textile shipment is light for its size, so it is billed on volume. The spare parts are dense, so they are billed on actual weight.

Use our CBM calculator to estimate volume before you ship.

You want further information about our Express shipping services?

Feel free to contact our Speedline experts, or check our dedicated page.

Dangerous goods and restricted cargo

Air cargo is regulated by ICAO and IATA. Some goods need extra paperwork or cannot fly at all.

  • Lithium batteries. Shipped under IATA dangerous goods rules, with UN38.3 test summaries, MSDS and correct labels. Acceptance depends on the battery type and the carrier, so we confirm before booking. 
  • Magnetic goods. Items with strong magnets (speakers, motors) may need a magnetic inspection report before boarding.
  • Prohibited cargo. Flammable gases, corrosive chemicals, explosives, loose or uncertified lithium batteries, and any goods that breach export or import law.

Airports and screening

We book space on flights from these China airports: Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX), Hong Kong (HKG), and Beijing Capital (PEK). Cargo at Chinese airports is subject to security screening, which can include X-ray and explosive trace detection (ETD).

Documents

  • Commercial invoice showing the actual transaction value
  • Packing list with carton count, weight and dimensions
  • Product description with material, function and model number
  • House Air Waybill (issued by Speedline) and Master Air Waybill (issued by the airline)
  • Dangerous goods declaration and UN38.3 summary, where relevant
  • MSDS for chemicals and batteries
  • Certificate of origin, where a preferential duty rate applies

Temperature-controlled air freight

For temperature-sensitive cargo we can arrange dry ice packaging, thermal blankets and refrigerated containers. 

Pricing logic

Air freight is priced per kg of chargeable weight. The rate depends on the airport pair, the weight band, the carrier and the season. Fuel and security surcharges are added to the base rate. Express courier rates are higher per kilo and usually include door-to-door delivery.

We do not publish rates on this page until the client confirms them. Market benchmarks for China to Pakistan air freight range from about $3.50 to $8 per kg depending on airport pair, weight and product, so we quote each shipment on its own details.

Table of Contents
‣ 1. Overview & Service Tiers‣ 2. Airline ULDs & Volumetric‣ 3. Chinese Airports & Costs‣ 4. Dangerous Goods & AWB‣ FAQs
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About Speedline

Speedline Logistics is a trusted international freight forwarder offering a full range of logistics and transport services. With a strong presence in China and a commitment to efficiency, we ensure stress-free and cost-effective solutions for businesses worldwide.

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Frequently Asked Questions — International Air Freight

Airlines charge based on either actual gross weight or volumetric weight, whichever is higher. Volumetric weight is calculated using the IATA formula: (Length x Width x Height in cm) / 5000.

We manage direct air cargo flights out of Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX), Beijing (PEK), and Hong Kong (HKG), coordinating cargo from our Yiwu, Guangzhou, and Foshan hubs.

A Unit Load Device (ULD) is a specialized aircraft container (like an LD3 or LD7) or pallet (PMC) used to load luggage, freight, and mail onto aircraft.

Yes, we ship electronics with built-in or packed lithium batteries under ICAO/IATA guidelines, securing UN38.3 test reports, MSDS certifications, and handling cargo via Hong Kong or mainland dangerous goods channels.

A House Air Waybill (HAWB) is issued by the forwarder for your shipment. A Master Air Waybill (MAWB) is issued by the airline for the flight. Speedline issues your HAWB and books space on the airline’s MAWB. 

Yes, Speedline Logistics offers full door-to-door air freight, managing supplier factory pickup in China, Chinese export customs, air transit, and final delivery at destination.

Express air cargo transit takes 2 to 4 days, while standard scheduled commercial air freight takes 3 to 7 days, including export screening, flight connections, and destination customs clearance.

We partner with leading global carriers including PIA, Air China, China Southern, Emirates SkyCargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, and Turkish Cargo, securing contracted space during peak shipping seasons.

Prohibited cargo includes flammable gases, corrosive chemicals, explosives, non-certified loose lithium batteries, magnets exceeding magnetic radiation limits without shielding, and illegal contraband.

Yes. We offer active and passive temperature-controlled solutions (dry ice packaging, thermal blankets, Envirotainer refrigerated ULDs) for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and perishable high-value products.

Air freight is a scheduled cargo service for shipments of about 100 kg or more. Express is a door-to-door courier service for small parcels and samples, with tracking, and costs more per kilo. Express is usually faster for small shipments. Air freight is usually cheaper for larger ones.

 Yes, if they meet IATA dangerous goods rules. Shipments need UN38.3 test summaries, MSDS and correct labels. Loose or uncertified batteries cannot fly. We confirm acceptance before booking, because it depends on the battery type and the carrier.

 Flammable gases, corrosive chemicals, explosives, loose or uncertified lithium batteries, and any goods that breach export or import law cannot travel by air. Goods with strong magnets may need an inspection report before boarding.

 Standard air cargo takes about 3 to 7 days from the day cargo is received at the origin airport to arrival at Karachi or Lahore. Express can be faster for small parcels. Customs assessment and screening can add time. 

 Yes. We can arrange dry ice packaging, thermal blankets and refrigerated containers for sensitive cargo. Tell us the product and the temperature range when you request a quote. 

Get an air freight quote for your cargo.

Send your origin, destination, carton count, dimensions, weight and cargo type. We reply with chargeable weight, a product recommendation and a transit window. No obligation.