How to Choose the Right Air Freight Services for your Needs?

In today’s "need it yesterday" business world, air freight plays a critical role in any company’s global supply chain. The fastest way to get goods to their destinations, air freight helps reach these and other time-sensitive projects by providing fast delivery of cargo while minimizing unexpected delays or obstacles.

However, choosing air freight shipping does not only depend on the type of goods. A lot of things are also important while selecting the shipping method. Today we are going to talk about air freight services and discuss what things are needed to consider while selecting the air freight shipping method.

Check your Air Freight Services need –

• Customers should check their shipping needs before selecting air freight services.
• Consider the cargo weight, dimensions and volume. These details help to determine the air freight.
• Specify the delivery time you are expecting to the air freight forwarder while requesting a quote. Expedited air freight shipping will cost more than the standard mode of air freight shipping.
• Since the air freight shipping is more expensive than any other mode of shipping, please consider your budget and margin in the goods before proceeding for air freight services.

Compare Air Freight Forwarders –

Proven Track Record - Select the company which has proven results in the air shipping industry.

Industry Expert - The goods which will ship through air freight shipping have a major role in choosing the right air freight services or air freight forwarder. For example, if you are shipping perishable goods such as foods and vegetables or if you are shipping hazardous material then you must select air freight forwarders which have expertise in this field. Choosing the expert air freight services will ease the job of shipper and consignee.

Check customer reviews - Before selecting your partner for Air freight shipping, please check customer reviews for the air freight shipping services provider. You can check the website social media handles for customer reviews.

Recognition & Awards - select the reputable company in the industry which is recognised by awards and certificates for their excellent work in air freight shipping

Market competent costing - The air freight costing must be market competent. Customers must understand that air freight shipping is a costly method of shipping than the ocean. Customer have all details with himself so he can calculate the air freight by using air freight cost calculator available online; it will give customer primary idea about air freight costing.

• Cost effective air freight - Request quotes from leading air freight forwards for your shipment. Compare that air freight costing, it should be cost effective but must align with your shipping needs.
• Flat rate costing - The air freight forwarder must give you the costing with all in charge. There should not be any hidden charges such as fuel surcharge, destination terminal handling charges, dock fee etc.
• Consolidated shipments - if your cargo is smaller in size and weight then you can go for consolidated shipments which will help you to reduce your air freight costing. Check with your air freight forwarder if they are providing consolidated air shipment service.
• Direct Flight Vs Connecting Flights - Direct flight costs more than connecting flights as the connecting flight takes minimum 2 to 3 days to reach its destination. Connecting flight and direct flight should be selected as per your urgency of the shipment and type of goods.

Top Notch Customer Service-

• 24*7 Customer Service - Check which air freight forwarder providing the expedited and 24/7 customer service as air freight shipping needs Proactive response to the customer, customs, and airlines if needed.
• Custom compliance expertise- The air freight forwarder's team must have expertise in custom clearance and documentation.
• Dedicated account manager - If you have a continuous air shipping business with a specific air freight forwarder then an air freight forwarder must assign you a dedicated person to handle your shipping accounts.
• Real Time Tracking- In air freight shipping tracking air freight cargo is very important as this is faster mode of transportation. Choose the air freight service provider which gives you a real time update of your air freight cargo.

Encyclopaedic Network Coverage & Services -

• Select the air freight services which have a wide range of networks in international air freight and also provide all type of required services with minimal cost. The air freight forward must have contact with broader range of international agents.
• One stop solution - The Air freight services provider has all air freight shipping related services, such as custom clearance, cargo insurance, warehousing and storage, cargo packaging and labelling, inland logistics service, etc. This will help customer to communicate with only one service provider for all his needs.

Selecting the right air freight services provider is challenging but by considering some points like costing, transit time, value added services, customer service, industry expertise knowledge of service provider, shipping needs, it will become easier to the customer. In the field like shipping customers should prioritize the customer service and reliability which will help to smoothen the process.

FAQs About Air Freight Services –

How should I decide on the best air freight service for my cargo?

While determining the best air freight service please consider the points such as goods type, budget, urgency of the shipment, size weight of the shipment.

Which factors are taken into consideration for air freight cost calculation?

By considering the destination, distance, volume of the cargo, weight of the cargo, fuel surcharge, custom free, air freight cost is decided.

What is the delivery time for Air freight shipment?

Standard air freight shipment takes a minimum 2 to 7 days while expected air shipment can be delivered in 1 to 2 days.