How to Choose Reliableair transportenteredExport agent?

Selecting air freight agents requires comprehensive evaluation of the following factors:

• Certification of Qualification: Confirm possession of IATA accreditation (International Air Transport Association certification) and customs AEO certification
• Industry Experience: Prioritize agents specializing in your industry (e.g., electronics/medical devices)
• Service networks: Ground service capabilities at major global airports and emergency response teams
• Informatization level: Real-time cargo tracking systems and electronic document processing capabilities

What core items are included in air import/export costs?

The 2025 typical air freight cost structure includes:

• Basic freight (charged by volumetric weight or actual weight)
• Fuel surcharge (adjusted monthly according to IATA index)
• Security surcharge (including aviation insurance and security inspection fees)
• Destination miscellaneous fees:
  • Customs clearance service fee
  • Airport handling fee (significant rate differences at hub ports like HKG/SIN)
  • Last-mile delivery fee

What special documents are required for air cargo customs clearance?

In addition to regular commercial invoices/packing lists, special attention should be paid to:

• Air waybill (MAWB) and house air waybill (HAWB): Clearly define transportation responsibility division
• Dangerous goods declaration (if applicable): Classified declaration according to ICAO TI standards
• Sanitary quarantine certificate: Required in advance for food/pharmaceutical goods
• Lithium battery UN38.3 test report: New 2024 regulations require all lithium battery-containing products to provide this

How to accurately estimate air import/export transit times?

Transit time calculation should consider three key stages:

• Origin operations: Booking waiting time (may reach 72 hours during peak seasons on Europe-US routes)
• Air transportation: Time difference between direct flights and connecting flights (e.g.: Shanghai→Chicago direct 14 hours, connecting 28 hours)
• Destination customs clearance: Average FDA inspection time in the US is 48 hours, EU CE certified products require pre-clearance

How to avoid air cargo transportation risks?

Based on 2023 global air freight insurance claim data analysis, the following measures are recommended:

• PurchaseDoor-to-door transportation insurance(Rate typically 0.3%-0.7% of cargo value)
• Fragile goods must useIATA standard packaging
• Require the Agent to ProvideTemperature control equipment verification report(For pharmaceutical/precision instrument transportation)
• When signingTransportation Service Agreement (TSA)Clearly define compensation liability limits

What are common compliance risks in air import/export?

Frequently occurring compliance issues in recent years include:

• False declaration of HS code: The 2025 customs tariff added over 300 new detailed HS codes
• Transit country controls: Dual-use items transiting through Dubai require additional permits
• Issues of intellectual property: Immediate destruction policy for infringing goods by US/EU customs
• Origin mark: The U.S. mandatory requirements for the "Made in China" label

What emergency services should agency companies provide in unexpected situations?

High-quality agents should possess the following emergency response capabilities:

• Flight cancellationAlternative space guarantee
• Customs detention of goodsProfessional legal support
• Transportation delaysEmergency handling of cold chain goods
• After major accidentsInsurance fast claim channel