So you want to ship your goods at the fastest time possible and are left with one option – air freight. But do you know anything about the processes that go with it? Do you know the factors affecting air freight transit time?
You are probably left clueless.
In fact, some of us may not even be concerned with the step-by-step process your freight needs to go through before it arrives to its destination. Thus, before you start getting frantic over delayed packages and goods, let’s sit down and see how your package gets delivered.
Why is it important to know air freight transit time processes?
It is of utmost important for any customer to spend some time understanding the freight forwarding process. Here are some of the reasons why you should:
- For one, getting familiar with the process can give you a clear idea of where our participation lies in the chain. As a result, you are given a better overview of how you can make your shipping experience – smoother.
- Two, understanding the whole thing might just make us more of a human being: Knowing the delays or hiccups in a process and why they happen, and reacting in a still acceptably adult kind of way.
The second reason does not give a good excuse for any freight forwarder to continually disappoint you because of delayed goods.
Yes! We are mere humans and can make mistakes. But with an expert freight forwarder, delayed goods is simply an absolutely no, no, no. If you know what I mean.
Thus when your freight forwarder fails in delivering goods on time; then it’s probably best to look for a better and more reliable freight forwarder.
Overview of the air freight transit time process
Air freight transit time process involves these five processes:
- Getting details of the shipment
- Forwarder closes shipment with airline company
- Cargo arrives at warehouse awaiting shipment
- Customs clearance for release of cargo at destination airport
- Cargo arrives to destination
These terms may vary for some freight forwarders, but context of the factors involved in each processes remains the same.
Step 1: Getting details of the shipment
This involves the initial stages of the transaction. Here importers or exporters discusses their shipment details with the freight forwarder.
Getting details of the shipment
Step 2: Forwarder closes shipment with airline company
Given the go signal to proceed with the shipping process, the ball is now left in the hands of the freight forwarder. As expeditors of the shipping process, freight forwarding companies talk to airline representatives on which flight best to forward the customer’s cargo.
Closing the deal with the freight forwarder
Step 3: Cargo arrives at warehouse awaiting shipment
Cargo arrival at the warehouse for shipment
Now that everything has been settled with the airline representatives, your goods are now ready to be shipped. It arrives at the airline cargo handling warehouse or handling agents where it awaits shipment.
Step 4: Customs clearance for release of cargo at destination airport
Upon arrival, cargo has to be cleared by customs before its release
At last, your cargo arrives at its destination airport. However, before it gets released from the handling warehouse the receiving unit of a freight forwarder has to take care of import and export documents.
Step 5: Cargo arrives to destination
Ultimately, your cargo is delivered to its destination
Ultimately, your goods is now received by your consignee. It is the final step of our air freight transit time process and your badge of success.
Air freight transit time estimation
Given these processes, it will now be easier for you to understand why some cargo arrives later than expected. To avoid this from happening, ensure that you have your cargo forwarded in the morning rather than the afternoon. Otherwise, be prepared for it to arrive the following day rather than on the same day because some documents has to be cleared before it can be released.
Below is a case scenario that shows how time affects delivery of your goods:
Import airfreight from Shanghai to Los Angeles via MU
The following air freight transit time happens for goods to be imported from Shanghai to Los Angeles via MU:
Day 1 – contact customer, export clearance, collection
Day 2 – customs screening period
Day 3 – freight departure, document issued
Estimated flight time is 12 hours and 41 minutes
Day 4 – customs clearance
Day 5 – delivery of item
Air freight transit time from Shanghai to Los Angeles
Importers and exporters who wishes their cargo to arrive on Day 3 may have their request granted, if and only if the air freight request is done earlier within the day. Otherwise, export clearance has to be done first prior to customs screening period to ensure the goods will be released.
Export Los Angeles to Melbourne
The following air freight transit time happens for goods to be exported from Los Angeles to Melbourne:
Day 1 – Booking, collection, AES lodgement, pick-up, remeasure/consolidate at the depot
Day 2 – Security clearance (depending on flight availability day 3 or day 4 is uplift)
Day 3 – Earliest time of flight
Estimated flight time: 15 hours and 45 minutes
Day 4 – Document issuance
Day 5 Customs clearance arrival delivery
Day 6 Delivery
Air freight transit time from Los Angeles to Melbourne
In this case, the arrival of your exported goods to Melbourne depends on the flight availability from Los Angeles to Melbourne. FFQO will do its best to find a flight that will ship your goods on Day 3, but it could stay on waiting list until Day 4 before its uplift.
Learn more about the different air freight processes in our next blogs. Follow our LinkedIn company page to remain updated.
