Guide to Using Air Freight

How to move your goods using air freight services

By George Angus, Owner, Tumblemoose Productions

1. Is the use of an air freight service the best choice for this particular shipment? Using arbitrary criteria to select shipments to send via an air freight forwarder will get expensive.
2. Are the air freight rates the best available? Check with the air freight services to see if they can offer you discount air freight rates.
3. Gather all of the air freight information prior to contacting an air freight service. This will help avoid any unnecessary delays in picking up or sending a shipment.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose the best air freight service for you company's needs

The advantage to choosing a single company is that you have the opportunity to build a relationship that could lead to a discount in your air freight rates.

I recommend: Atlas Air operates the latest Boeing 747-400 series aircraft for any heavy air freight or special charter services. For everyday air freight shipping needs, FedEx is available nearly everywhere.

Choose a customs broker for your international air freight needs

Nothing is more frustrating than to have an all important air freight shipment stuck in customs. A competent customs broker can save you time, headaches and money.

I recommend: Cleared and Delivered is a single stop for all of your air freight importing needs. Make certain the customs broker you've selected is a member of an industry association such as the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America.

Discover your claim rights if goods are damaged

In the air freight shipping world, just like other methods of shipping, damage to shipments can occur. When bad things happen to your goods, knowing your rights can make the difference between moving on quickly or having a giant headache.

I recommend: CargoLaw has a comprehensive guide to your rights in the event a claim needs filed. The Southern United States Trade Association has a great guide for proper packaging of air freight shipments.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Using Air Freight can give your company a true advantage. Take the opportunity to research the shipping methods of competitive organizations. If they do not offer an air freight option, you could set yourself apart by using air freight shipping as a standard in your business.

Guide to Air Freight

Find the best deals on air freight

By Ben Hahn, Freelance Writer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get online quotes from multiple airfreight services

The most important piece of air freight information is ultimately how much it will cost you to ship your cargo. Get quotes from multiple companies before you choose a carrier.

I recommend: FreightQuote.com gives you quotes from multiple carriers. Freight Dynamics offers instant quotes either on shipping only or on shipping and packaging. On uShip.com, enter the specifications of your shipping needs and receive bids by email from competing air freight carriers.

Use a shipping service that specializes in international shipping

If your air freight shipments will be traveling out of the country, compare air freight carriers that specialize in international deliveries. Depending on the final destination, you may find a company that has direct daily flights to the exact country you need to ship to.http://www.shipping-worldwide.com/air-cargo.htmair cargo calculator

I recommend: APX Air Cargo sells air freight services to Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Use their air cargo calculator to receive an instant quote on international shipping. Request a quote on international shipping from AVIO Freight.

Use an air freight carrier that offers online tracking information

Ease your mind over your important shipments by tracking them every step of the way. Most air cargo carriers offer online tracking services so you can watch a package's progress from the comfort of your office or home. Get updates on a shipment's position every time its barcode is scanned at a different transfer point.

I recommend: National Air Cargo offers worldwide shipping and the ability to track your packages every step of the way. FedEx's website allows you to track your packages by their tracking numbers or by your account number if you've lost the tracking number. Also use their website to schedule pickups or locate drop boxes.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many air freight companies offer both packaging and shipping services. Let a professional take care of packaging your wares so you don't have to worry about it.

Guide to Air Freight Key Terms

Understand the unique terminology of the air freight industry

By George Angus, Owner, Tumblemoose Productions

1. Take the time to review and understand the terms of any air freight services contract.
2. Check with your air freight company if there are any terms for which you are uncertain.
3. Consult with your customs broker to make certain you understand any terms specific to importing items successfully through US Customs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase an air freight key terms book

If you are serious about understanding the terms used in an air freight contract, then purchasing a reference book can help you become an informed consumer. Being informed puts you on a level playing field with your air freight service.

I recommend: A comprehensive book filled with useful air freight information and terms is Incoterms 2000 from Unz & Company. For complete insight into the transportation industry, the Transportation, Supply Chain and Logistics Almanac from Plunkett Research will educate you on most any transportation term.

Develop a quick reference air freight terminology guide

Texts provide a broad-based understanding of the airfreight industry. Sometimes, though, a quick reference for an unknown term is all that you need. Developing a quick reference guide will save the frustration of hunting through pages of text when you need a quick fix.

I recommend: A fine glossary of common terms is listed at UniGroup Worldwide, while a comprehensive list of logistics terms is available at DHL Global.

Get sample airway bills to better understand air freight terms

If the business of air freight, discount air freight and air cargo airlines is new to you, then obtaining and reviewing sample airway bills and contracts will help to identify any unfamiliar terminology.

I recommend: A sample airway bill with definitions is available at Export 911. UPS provides a copy of their airway bill contract with definitions as well as who is responsible for completing each section.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Heavy air freight services have a whole set of terms that apply to this special method of transporting air cargo. One time air charters are the perfect means to get your heaviest items shipped. Get familiar with all the technical specifications of shipping on a Boeing 747-400 by following the link below to Atlas Air.