When the goods need to be here in days rather than weeks, air freight is the answer. We book cargo space from the main airports in China, Bangladesh, India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait into Heathrow and other UK airports, then clear and deliver the goods.
Our own office in Dhaka and our agent offices in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Mumbai, Dubai, Jeddah and Kuwait arrange collection and export paperwork at origin.
When air freight makes sense
- Samples and pre-production approvals that hold up an order
- Late production that would miss a season or launch date by sea
- High-value, low-volume goods, such as electronics, jewellery and pharmaceuticals, where freight is a small part of the value
- Spare parts that keep a machine or production line running
- Perishables with a short shelf life
Typical transit times
| Origin | Main airports | Typical door to door |
|---|---|---|
| China | Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong | around 5–8 days |
| Bangladesh | Dhaka | around 5–10 days |
| India | Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai | around 4–7 days |
| UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait | Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait | around 3–6 days |
Express services are faster; economy consolidations are slower and cheaper. Times also depend on airline capacity, which can be tight in peak season. We confirm the expected timing when we quote.
How air freight is priced
Air freight is charged on chargeable weight: the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight, which reflects how much space the cargo takes up on the aircraft.
Volumetric weight (kg) = length × width × height (cm) ÷ 6,000
Example: a carton of 60 × 50 × 50 cm weighing 10 kg has a volumetric weight of 60 × 50 × 50 ÷ 6,000 = 25 kg. You pay for 25 kg.
That's why light, bulky goods such as cushions or lampshades are expensive to fly, while dense goods such as metal parts are good value. Always give us the carton dimensions, not just the weight.
A full air freight quote includes:
- Collection from your supplier and delivery to the departure airport
- Export clearance and the air waybill
- Airline freight and fuel and security surcharges
- UK airport handling and customs clearance
- Delivery to your address
- Duty and VAT on the goods, paid to HMRC
Air freight, courier or sea?
| Shipment | Usually best |
|---|---|
| Documents and small parcels up to ~30–50 kg | Courier |
| ~50 kg to a few tonnes, needed within two weeks | Air freight |
| Bulky or heavy goods, not urgent | Sea part load or full container |
A common approach is to fly the first part of an order to meet a launch date, and send the rest by sea.
Packing for air freight
Good packing keeps costs down as well as protecting the goods:
- Avoid wasted space. Oversized cartons push up the volumetric weight. Ask your supplier to use cartons that fit the goods.
- Use strong export cartons and seal them well. Air cargo is handled several times and stacked in aircraft containers.
- Palletise larger shipments, but check the total height. Pallets over about 160 cm may not fit every aircraft.
- Label every carton with the consignee, carton number and total number of cartons.
- Keep commercial invoices and packing lists matching, so customs clearance at Heathrow is quick.
Combining air and sea
Many customers split orders: fly a small part to get stock on shelves or meet a launch date, and send the bulk by sea at a fraction of the cost. We can book both together, so both shipments use the same paperwork and one point of contact.
Dangerous goods and restricted items
Many everyday products count as dangerous goods for air transport, including lithium batteries (and products containing them), aerosols, perfumes, paints and some chemicals. They can often still fly, but need correct packaging, labels and a dangerous goods declaration from the shipper. Tell us about anything like this up front so it isn't refused at the airport.
What we need from you to quote
- Origin city and your UK delivery postcode
- Number of cartons, with dimensions and weight of each
- What the goods are, and whether they include batteries or other dangerous goods
- When the goods are ready and when you need them
Get an air freight quote. We answer within 4 working hours.