In today’s era of rapid globalization, air freight, as an efficient and fast mode of transportation, is widely used in cross-border and cross-regional transportation of various goods. But do you know how air freight prices are calculated? What factors affect air freight prices? How can we calculate the most reasonable air freight prices? Today, let’s unveil the mystery of air freight prices.

I. Calculation Methods of Air Freight Prices

Air freight prices are mainly composed of two parts: freight charges and miscellaneous fees.

The Secrets of Freight Calculation

• Billing by Weight: This is the most common method. When your goods are heavy, the airline will calculate the freight based on the actual gross weight. They have established corresponding price standards according to different routes and the carefully classified weight grades of goods. For example, on [specific route name], the freight per kilogram of goods may be set at around 30 yuan. That is to say, if your goods weigh 10 kilograms, the freight expenditure for this item alone will be approximately 300 yuan.
• Pricing by Volume: If the goods seem large but are light in weight, then the concept of volume weight needs to be introduced at this time. The calculation formula is: Volume Weight (kilograms) = Cargo Volume (cubic meters) ÷ 0.006 (or 6000 cubic centimeters / kilogram). The logic behind this is that the cargo space in an airplane is a valuable resource, and the charge should be based on the actual space occupied by the goods. Imagine a batch of goods with a volume of 2 cubic meters. Through the formula, its volume weight is approximately 2 ÷ 0.006 ≈ 333.33 kilograms. If the actual gross weight is lower than this volume weight value, the freight will be settled according to the volume weight.
• Pricing by Weight Grade: Airlines are like meticulous taxonomists, classifying goods finely by weight. Common weight grades include under 45 kilograms, 45 – 100 kilograms, 100 – 300 kilograms, etc. Each grade is like a different consumption package, corresponding to different freight rates. Generally, the heavier the goods, the lower the freight per kilogram on average. It’s a bit like the principle of wholesale prices, where the more you buy, the lower the unit price.

Composition Details of Miscellaneous Fees

Although miscellaneous fees seem to have a complex array of items, each one has its own reason for existence. For example, the fuel surcharge is like a “barometer” of oil prices and will be adjusted according to the fluctuations in international oil prices. After all, an airplane cannot fly without fuel, which is the “source of power.” The security fee is mostly a fixed amount charged for each shipment of goods, such as 10 yuan, to pay for the security measures during the transportation of the goods.

The airport handling fee is related to the weight or volume of the goods and covers a series of expenses for loading, unloading, handling, and storage of the goods at the airport, including labor and equipment usage. The customs declaration fee is determined by comprehensively considering factors such as the complexity of the customs declaration and the value of the goods. Professional customs declaration services ensure that the goods can enter and exit the country legally and compliantly.

II. Key Factors Affecting Air Freight Prices

• Cargo Characteristics and Weight: Special goods are like “special guests” in the air freight arena and naturally receive different treatment. For example, dangerous goods such as flammable and explosive items, and perishable goods that require full cold chain preservation, because high-standard measures such as special protection and temperature control need to be taken during transportation, the transportation cost increases significantly, and the freight is much higher than that of ordinary goods. This is also an inevitable cost to ensure transportation safety and quality.
• Transportation Distance: Just like a long journey requires more energy and resources, the length of the air freight route is directly related to the cost. For long-distance routes that span thousands of mountains and rivers, the airplane needs to consume a large amount of fuel, and the working hours of the flight crew increase. All these are reflected in the freight, making the air freight prices for long-distance transportation often astonishing.
• Supply and Demand of Flights and Cargo Space: Different flights are like different levels of transportation tools, and there are huge differences in transportation capacity and operating costs. Popular routes are like subways during peak hours in the morning and evening, with a dense flow of people. When the cargo space is in short supply, the freight will rise. In the off-season or for unpopular routes, it is like an empty bus at night. To attract customers, the freight may be greatly reduced. Moreover, during special periods such as peak tourist seasons and e-commerce shopping festivals, the air transportation capacity is impacted by the massive demand for goods. The tightness of cargo space soars, and the prices also rise crazily.
• Differences in Destination Airports: Airports around the world are like cities with distinct personalities, with different charging standards, operating costs, and geographical locations. Airports located in the center of bustling cities have high land costs, and the maintenance fees for various facilities are substantial. When goods are loaded, unloaded, and stored here, the costs are naturally transferred to the air freight prices. For airports in remote areas, although the operating costs are lower, additional fees may be incurred in the transfer and other links due to factors such as inconvenient transportation, affecting the final air freight price.

III. Strategies for Achieving Reasonable Air Freight Prices

• Smart Selection of Airlines and Routes: Today, the aviation market is highly competitive, and different airlines “show their unique skills” on various routes. Spend some time comparing different options, comparing their quotations and service reputations, and exploring route and flight combinations with extremely high cost performance. It’s like choosing the most suitable clothes, which can meet your needs without wasting money.
• Optimization of Cargo Packaging and Weight: On the premise of ensuring that the goods arrive safely, use your wits to “slim down and shape” the goods. For example, use vacuum packaging technology for bulky goods to make them compact and small. This not only saves the precious cargo space in the airplane but also reduces the high freight caused by the volume weight.
• Early Planning and Booking: The air freight market is ever-changing. Plan the transportation matters in advance and book the cargo space early. It’s like locking in the low-price air tickets in the off-season of tourism in advance. You can enjoy relatively favorable freight rates and avoid the embarrassing situation of a shortage of cargo space and having to pay a high price due to last-minute arrangements.
• Collaborate with Freight Forwarders to Find the Optimal Solution: Freight forwarding companies are like the “master keys” in the air freight field. They have access to the resources of many airlines and can customize transportation plans according to the characteristics of the goods and customers’ needs, just like professional tailors. Through large-scale operations such as consolidated consignments, the unit cost can be reduced. They can also handle cumbersome procedures such as customs declaration and clearance in one stop, reducing miscellaneous fees and making the air freight journey worry-free and cost-effective.
• Keep a Close Eye on Market Trends: Air freight prices are like the stock market, fluctuating constantly. Develop the habit of paying attention to market trends, understand the trends of oil prices, e-commerce promotion nodes, peak and off-seasons of tourism, and other information. Skillfully take advantage of the situation and choose the best transportation time window to ensure that your air freight expenditure is firmly within a reasonable range.

In short, understanding the calculation rules of air freight prices, being aware of the influencing factors, and mastering the methods to reasonably reduce costs are beneficial for both enterprises that often need to transport goods by air and individuals who occasionally have urgent shipping needs. It can maximize economic benefits while ensuring the efficient transportation of goods. I hope this popular science article can become a helpful guide on your air freight journey and wish you a smooth journey!