Air freigth rates

Airlines usually fly via their home base. A shipment from Amsterdam to Hong Kong will fly with Qatar Airways via Doha in Qatar, while KLM will fly directly to Hong Kong. This means that the KLM will be at its destination within one day, while another airline with a stopover will have a few days extra transport time. On this site you can immediately see the difference in rate between a fast direct flight and a regular indirect flight.

Chargeable weight

The Chargeable Weight of Air Freight shipments are calculated as the Actual Weight (Gross Weight) or the Volumetric (also called Volume or Dimensional) Weight of the shipment, whichever is the greater. This uses an estimated weight that is calculated based on the dimensions (length, width and height) of a package (shipments are always shown in the order of L x W x H). Typically, large items with a light overall weight take up more space on an aircraft than a small, heavy item. That’s why the Airlines charge according to Chargeable Weight.

In air freight, the total weight to be loaded is determined by calculating every cubic meter (cbm, cubic meter) with 166.67 kilograms. If a shipment of two cubic meters weighs 100 kilograms, the taxable weight is 333.5 kilograms (2 cubic meters x 166.67 kilograms). However, if the actual weight of the same shipment is 500 kilograms - so higher - then 500 kilos will be calculated. Therefore, in order to know the chargeable (loadable) weight, the actual weight must be compared with the loaded volume weight. The chargeable weight is the highest weight from this equation.

At the botom of this page calculate the chargeable weight.

Cost of air freight

For an air freight shipment the following costs are involved:

1. Transport costs to the airport
a. Pick-up costs (pre-carriage)

2. Costs at the airport of departure
a. Customs clearing costs (Customer Clearance / Export document) b. Airport costs (Export Terminal charges)
c. Handling costs (Export Handling charge) d. Transport document costs (Master Airway Bill of Lading - MAWBL costs)

3. The cost of flying
a. Air freight costs

4. Cost at the airport of arrival
a. Customs clearing costs (Customer Clearance) b. Airport handling costs (Import handling charges)
c. Warehouse costs (Import warehouse charges)

5. Transport costs door delivery
a. Delivering costs

Incoterms and costs

On the incoterms page you can read about the incoterms that can apply for (airfreight) transport. Incoterms are agreements between Seller and Buyer about Costs and Risks.

INCOTERMS IMPORT air freight

Below you will find the current incoterms that (can) apply when importing goods that are sent by air freight.

FOB-Air (Free on Board - Air):

1. The cost of flying
a. Air freight costs

2. Cost at the airport of arrival
a. Customs clearing costs (Customer Clearance) b. Airport handling costs (Import handling charges)
c. Warehouse costs (Import warehouse charges)

3. Transport costs door delivery
a. Delivering costs

FCA (Free carrier:

1. Costs at the airport of departure
a. Customs clearing costs (Customer Clearance / Export document) b. Airport costs (Export Terminal charges)
c. Handling costs (Export Handling charge) d. Transport document costs (Master Airway Bill of Lading - MAWBL costs)
2. The cost of flying
a. Air freight costs

3. Cost at the airport of arrival
a. Customs clearing costs (Customer Clearance) b. Airport handling costs (Import handling charges)
c. Warehouse costs (Import warehouse charges)

4. Transport costs door delivery
a. Delivering costs

Ex Works:

1. Transport costs to the airport
a. Pick-up costs (pre-carriage)

2. Kosten op de luchthaven van vertrek
a. Customs clearing costs (Customer Clearance / Export document) b. Airport costs (Export Terminal charges)
c. Handling costs (Export Handling charge) d. Transport document costs (Master Airway Bill of Lading - MAWBL costs)
3. The cost of flying
a. Air freight costs

4. Kosten op de luchthaven van aankomst
a. Customs clearing costs (Customer Clearance) b. Airport handling costs (Import handling charges)
c. Warehouse costs (Import warehouse charges)

5. Transport costs door delivery
a. Delivering costs

INCOTERMS EXPORT air freight

Below you will find the current incoterms that (can) apply when exporting goods that are sent by air freight.

DAT (Delivered at Terminal) + CPT (Carriage Paid To) + CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To):

1. Transport costs to the airport
a. Pick-up costs (pre-carriage)

2. Kosten op de luchthaven van vertrek
a. Customs clearing costs (Customer Clearance / Export document) b. Airport costs (Export Terminal charges)
c. Handling costs (Export Handling charge) d. Transport document costs (Master Airway Bill of Lading - MAWBL costs)
3. The cost of flying
a. Air freight costs

DAP (Delivered at Place):

1. Transport costs to the airport
a. Pick-up costs (pre-carriage)

2. Kosten op de luchthaven van vertrek
a. Customs clearing costs (Customer Clearance / Export document) b. Airport costs (Export Terminal charges)
c. Handling costs (Export Handling charge) d. Transport document costs (Master Airway Bill of Lading - MAWBL costs)
3. The cost of flying
a. Air freight costs

4. Cost at the airport of arrival
a. Customs clearing costs (Customer Clearance) b. Airport handling costs (Import handling charges)
c. Warehouse costs (Import warehouse charges)

5. Transport costs door delivery
a. Delivering costs

DDP (Delivery Duty Paid):

For all above incoterms applies, that these are exclusive of any customs duties and VAT imposed by the customs. If these duties are to be included in the price, we speak at EXPORT about the incoterm: DDP (Delivery Duty Paid.) Also DAP (Delivery at Place) + Duties imposed by the customs authorities of the importing country. If you as a seller want a DDP price, The Freight Hero will have to request these costs to the sales agent in the country of destination prior to shipping and charge the costs to you as seller.

Direct online air freight rates

The Freight Hero provides a clear overview of all air freight costs. After a few simple ordering steps, you can immediately see the air freight rate on this site. Choosing air freight import you will always find the FOB rate directly online. Choosing air freight export you will find the DAT rate directly online.

Other incoterms are on request quickly available

Other incoterms are not always immediately visible online, depending on departure and destination airports; however, on request the prices are available within a maximum of 24 hours (working days).