In today’s fast-paced world, speed is the name of the game for international trade. Air freight has become synonymous with time-sensitive and expedited delivery of a variety of cargo all over the world. This blog examines the inner workings of air freight, its pros and cons, and how businesses can leverage the best air freight forwarder services to facilitate global expansion and success.
What Is Air Freight Services?
To make a name in global trade, it is essential to grasp the air freight meaning to optimize delivery speed and cost. Air freight is the transportation of various types of trading goods through aircraft. This type of freight is usually suitable for perishable, short shelf life, and time-sensitive cargo. Depending on the travel distance and logistics, air freight services can be used alone or in combination with ground freight to get the goods to their destination.
Common types of goods/cargo that usually require overseas air freight services include valuable electronics, medical supplies (vaccines, medicines), transplant organs, perishables (fruits, vegetables, flowers, seafood), clothing, jewelry, automotive parts, documents, etc.
How Does Air Freight Work?
International air freight is a popular method for the transfer of cargo from point A to point B. The best way to gain maximum benefit from using this versatile mode of transportation as a new business is to clearly understand how air freight works.
Global air freight is essentially a network of aircraft carriers, logistical support providers, and on-ground handlers to ensure safe and timely transfer of cargo across the world. Among the other network companies, OPCA (Overseas Project Cargo Association) can be considered as the best global project cargo network.
Shipping goods through OPCA air freight providers includes the following steps:
- Initial Booking: With OPCA, shipping air freight becomes straightforward. It is the best place to find experienced freight networking providers for any business. The first step is to select and book a suitable freight forwarder from the OPCAs freight directory.
- Essential Documentation: The freight forwarder will assist in gathering all the necessary documentation required for shipping air freight. These include AWB (Air Waybill), packing list, commercial invoice and permits (according to requirements)
- Goods Pick-up and Consolidation: Once the documentation is finalized, the freight forwarder makes the necessary adjustments for taking the cargo. The freight forwarder is also responsible for consolidating shipments, depending on their size.
- Customs Clearance: The freight forwarder ensures that the cargo undergoes import clearance promptly, without any delays or hold-ups.
- Air Transport: Once the air freight cargo is cleared through customs, it is loaded onto the aircraft and sent to its destination via major air freight hubs.
- Import Customs Clearance: Shipping air freight through OPCA allows businesses access to its immense global network of members. OPCA members communicate and coordinate with each other worldwide to ensure the seamless transportation of goods. Upon arrival, the cargo is received by the on-ground OPCA member, who handles import customs clearance, duties, and taxes.
- Delivery and Storage: After getting through the import customs clearance, the cargo is shipped to its final destination (home address, storage warehouse, business, etc.).
Using a global project freight networking association like OPCA makes handling project cargo and complex logistics a breeze. The best part is that the vetting process is already done, and businesses get access to experienced, professional, and financially secure air freight forwarders.
How Long Does Air Freight Take?
Currently, air freight is the quickest way to move cargo around the world. However, the exact transportation time depends on various factors such as the overall travel distance and the route. It affects the time, depending on its being direct or multi-leg. It is also influenced by customs clearance, including documentation and permits, the type of service selected such as general or priority. Other factors affecting the time are unavoidable delays like bad weather, and airport processing time, which covers loading, unloading, and paperwork.
Typical air freight transit times are approximately 1 to 3 days for domestic air freight, 2 to 4 days for regional air freight, and 3 to 7 days for intercontinental air freight. By using an experienced network such as OPCA, delays and processing times can be minimized.
Advantages of Air Freight Shipping
The advantages of international air freight shipping include:
- Quick and secure shipping
- Wide global reach
- Reliable mode of freight transportation
- Suitable for valuable, sensitive, and perishable cargo
- No need for complex packaging
- No need for prolonged warehouse storage
The best way to capitalize on these advantages is to partner with experienced freight cargo providers. This can be challenging for new businesses as it involves a significant amount of research and a careful vetting process. A global air freight networking association like OPCA streamlines this process and makes it easier to choose a trusted air freight provider from a diverse directory of pre-vetted freight providers.
Disadvantages of Air Freight Shipping
Like any mode of transportation, air freight has its cons as well. These include:
- Higher cost
- Less cargo capacity compared to sea freight (E.g)
- Sensitive to bad weather conditions
- Not suitable for transporting hazardous cargo
- Complex documentation
Air freight shipping is not ideal for all types of cargo. It is best suited for high-priority, time-sensitive, and valuable shipments, where the higher shipping cost is justified by enhanced security and faster delivery.
Air Freight Forwarders Network OPCA
Partnering with a global network of air freight forwarders like OPCA is a great way to utilize the benefits of international air freight and minimize the disadvantages. OPCA is one of the best air freight associations in the business. It provides its clients and members with secure payment and a global warning system. In addition, it offers an RFQ system, a claim system, and chat support. These services guarantee the time-sensitive and safe transfer of their cargo anywhere in the world.
OPCA members join a trusted and experienced network of air freight providers that is spread globally. This allows international coordination and seamless logistics during the shipping process. Global trade is a dynamic phenomenon. Its ever-changing landscape becomes easier to navigate with the shared knowledge from more experienced members.
By becoming a part of OPCA, members have more chances of networking and getting international clients. OPCA is a diverse organization that enhances efficiency and reduces risks for its members as well as businesses.