How much does air freight cost per kg?

Air freight costs vary greatly by route, weight and service: Standard air freight approx. EUR 2–8/kg, Express (24–48h) approx. EUR 5–15/kg, Same Day / NFO approx. EUR 10–30/kg. Additional charges include fuel surcharge (FSC), security surcharge (SSC) and customs clearance. Chargeable weight (volumetric weight: L×W×H/6000 vs. actual weight) determines billing.

What is an AWB (Air Waybill)?

An AWB (Air Waybill) is the key document in air freight. It acts as a contract of carriage, receipt, and tracking document. Unlike the Bill of Lading (sea freight), the AWB is non-negotiable. The MAWB (Master AWB) is issued by the airline, the HAWB (House AWB) by the freight forwarder. The 11-digit AWB number enables worldwide real-time tracking.

How is chargeable weight calculated?

Chargeable weight in air freight is the greater of: actual gross weight (kg) vs. volumetric weight (cm³ / 6,000). Example: A shipment 80×60×50 cm has volumetric weight 80×60×50/6000 = 40 kg. If actual weight is only 25 kg, billing is at 40 kg (chargeable weight). Courier services often use divisor 5,000.

What is the difference between express and standard air freight?

Standard air freight (Economy Air): 3–5 business days, cheapest option, space subject to availability. Express (24–48h): prioritised space on direct flights. Same Day / NFO (Next Flight Out): next available flight, 6–24h. AOG (Aircraft on Ground): emergency service for aircraft parts, 2–6h. Hand Carry: human courier personally accompanies the shipment.

What is IATA Dangerous Goods (DGR) in air freight?

IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) govern the air transport of hazardous materials. There are 9 classes (explosives, gases, flammables, solids, oxidisers, toxic, radioactive, corrosive, miscellaneous). Shippers must complete a Shipper's Declaration, use approved packaging and apply specific markings. IATA DGR regulations are stricter than ADR (road) or IMDG (sea).

What is a charter flight in air freight?

An air freight charter means the exclusive booking of an entire cargo aircraft (full freighter). Charter types: Ad-hoc charter (single flight), ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance – wet lease), Time Charter (long-term rental). Suitable for shipments from approximately 30–50 tonnes, time-critical express deliveries or destinations with no regular scheduled service. Full freighter types: Boeing 747F (approx. 110t), B777F (approx. 102t), MD-11F (approx. 90t).

How long does air freight from China to Europe take?

Air freight from China (e.g. Shanghai, Shenzhen) to Europe (Frankfurt, Amsterdam): Direct flight 11–13 hours flight time. Including pre-carriage, handling at origin airport and customs clearance at destination airport, door-to-door time is typically 3–5 business days for standard express. Same Day or NFO can be delivered within 24–36h. Economy Air takes 5–7 business days.

What documents do I need for air freight?

Mandatory documents for international air freight: 1) AWB (Air Waybill), 2) Commercial Invoice with cargo value and HS code, 3) Packing List, 4) Export Customs Declaration (EXA/AES), 5) for dangerous goods: Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (SDDG). Optional: Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate, CITES permit for protected species. For letter of credit transactions: complete document set.

What are FSC and SSC in air freight?

FSC (Fuel Surcharge) varies weekly or monthly based on jet fuel prices, usually EUR 0.50–2.00/kg. SSC (Security Surcharge / Security and Cargo Screening) covers airport security screening measures, usually EUR 0.10–0.30/kg. Both surcharges are additional to the base rate and applied to chargeable weight. Other surcharges: SCC (screening), AMS (US pre-notification), PCA (Peak Congestion Add-on).

Can lithium batteries be sent by air freight?

Lithium batteries are IATA Dangerous Goods Class 9 (Miscellaneous dangerous substances). Lithium-ion batteries (UN 3480) and lithium metal batteries (UN 3090) may be shipped by air freight under strict conditions: state of charge maximum 30% for UN 3480, original packaging or UN-approved packaging, hazard label marking, Shipper's Declaration. Passenger aircraft have stricter quantity limits than cargo-only aircraft.

What is Belly Cargo vs. Full Freighter?

Belly Cargo: freight transported in the lower deck of a passenger aircraft. Cheaper option, dependent on passenger flight routes and capacities. Capacity of an A380: approx. 20–23t belly cargo. Full Freighter: Dedicated cargo aircraft (no passenger cabin). Higher capacity (Boeing 747F: approx. 110t), more route and schedule flexibility, ideal for heavy or bulky freight, dangerous goods and large charter volumes.

What is Next Flight Out (NFO)?

NFO (Next Flight Out) is an express air freight service where the shipment is transported on the next available flight – including passenger aircraft – to the destination. NFO is the fastest option after AOG service: delivery time 6–24h depending on route flight frequency. Costs typically EUR 10–25/kg.

What is AOG (Aircraft on Ground)?

AOG refers to an emergency situation where an aircraft is grounded because a critical spare part is missing. AOG logistics is the fastest and most expensive express service (2–6h delivery time). AOG specialists are available 24/7 and coordinate immediate booking, pickup and customs clearance within minutes.

What is Hand Carry in air freight?

Hand Carry (also Personal Courier or On-Board Courier) means a dedicated courier personally accompanies the shipment as cabin baggage in a passenger aircraft. Benefits: maximum security, no customs delays through personal presence, 24/7 availability. Ideal for small, high-value or extremely time-critical shipments (up to approx. 32 kg cabin baggage).

How much does Same Day air freight cost?

Same Day air freight is the most expensive standard express service: EUR 15–50/kg depending on route and weight. AOG is even more expensive: flat fees of EUR 2,000–15,000 per shipment regardless of weight. Hand Carry: EUR 500–3,000 per courier deployment plus flight ticket. Costs are often minimal compared to a production stoppage (often EUR 10,000–100,000/h).

Are there weight limits for express air freight?

Hand Carry: limited to cabin baggage weight (7–10 kg) or checked baggage (23–32 kg). NFO and AOG: no strict weight limits, but depends on available capacity of the booked flight (belly cargo). Standard Express (DHL, FedEx, UPS): typically up to 68 kg/piece. For heavier shipments: charter flights or combined solutions.

Express & Same Day Luftfracht

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Air Freight · Express

Express Air Freight

Same Day, NFO, AOG, Hand Carry and Standard Express – decision matrix, costs, process and carrier comparison.

DHL Express cargo aircraft – Same Day and Next Flight Out service

Express Services Overview

AOG – Aircraft on Ground

Fastest possible

2–6 hours

EUR 2,000–15,000 flat fee

Emergency service for grounded aircraft. Around the clock. Coordination within minutes. Specialised service for aircraft parts and MRO material.

Missing aircraft spare parts (AOG)MRO materialAircraft breakdown at remote locationsAny shipment resolving aircraft downtime

Same Day

Delivered today

4–12 hours

EUR 15–50/kg

Pickup and delivery on the same day. Available for all directly connected destinations with multiple daily flights. Ideal for production stoppages and emergencies.

Production stoppage due to missing partsMedical emergencies / donor organsTime-critical documentsHigh-value perishables

Hand Carry / On-Board Courier

Maximum security

6–24 hours

EUR 500–3,000 + flight ticket

Courier personally accompanies shipment as cabin baggage in passenger aircraft. No cargo terminal processes, maximum control. Ideal for small, high-value shipments.

Artworks and antiquesHigh-value electronics / microchipsConfidential documentsSmall production spare parts up to 32 kg

NFO – Next Flight Out

Next available flight

6–24 hours

EUR 10–25/kg

Shipment transported on the next available flight to destination, including passenger aircraft. Most flexible express option.

Time-critical industrial spare partsPharmaceuticals / vaccinesSamples and prototypesUrgent export deliveries

Standard Express (24–48h)

24–48 hours

EUR 5–15/kg

Prioritised express service with direct flight. Most affordable express service, suitable for most time-critical shipments without emergency character.

Time-critical shipments without emergencyE-commerce returns and premium shippingB2B express deliveriesSamples for trade fairs / presentations

Economy Air (3–7 Werktage)

Most affordable

3–7 business days

EUR 2–8/kg

Standard air freight without priority. Space on available flights (belly cargo or freighter). Most affordable air freight option for non-time-critical goods.

Non-time-critical goodsHigh-volume shipmentsGoods with long lead timesAs alternative to sea freight for medium urgency

Decision Matrix – Which Express Service Fits?

Deadline

Weight

Goods type

Recommendation

Cost/kg

Immediate (< 6h)

Any

Aircraft parts

AOG

€€€€€

Today (< 12h)

< 32 kg

High-value

Hand Carry

€€€€

Today (< 12h)

Any

All goods

Same Day

€€€€

Tomorrow (< 24h)

Any

All goods

NFO

€€€

24–48h

Any

Standard goods

Standard Express

€€

3–7 days

Any

Non-time-critical

Economy Air

€

Express Air Freight Cost Comparison

Economy Air

3–7 business days

EUR 2–8/kg

Standard Express

24–48h

EUR 5–15/kg

NFO

6–24 hours

EUR 10–25/kg

Hand Carry

6–24 hours

EUR 500–3.000 fix

Same Day

4–12 hours

EUR 15–50/kg

AOG

2–6 hours

EUR 2.000–15.000 fix

Express Air Freight Process – 7 Steps

Determine service

Urgency, weight, destination → choose appropriate express service

Request & offer

Share shipment data. NFO/AOG: offer within 15–30 min.

Prepare shipment

AWB, invoice, packing list. Dangerous goods: Shipper's Declaration.

Pickup

Courier picks up. NFO: directly to airport.

Flight booking

Next available flight booked (including passenger).

Tracking

Real-time status via AWB number. Prioritised updates.

Delivery

Pre-clearance + delivery within hours of arrival.

Express Carrier Comparison

Carrier

Service

Strengths

Max. weight

DHL Express

Time Definite, Same Day

World's largest network, 220+ countries

300 kg/Stück

FedEx Priority

International Priority, Same Day

Strong in USA, Asia Pacific

150 kg/Stück

UPS Express

Worldwide Express, Same Day

Good in Europe/USA, integrated solution

150 kg/Stück

Lufthansa Cargo

td.Express, td.Flash

European strength, Pharma (Cool Chain)

Unlimited (freighter)

Emirates SkyCargo

Priority, Express

Middle East, Asia, Africa hub DXB

Unlimited (B777F)

When Does Express Air Freight Pay Off?

AOG Aircraft on Ground – aircraft awaiting spare part, urgent express transport

Express pays off for...

Production stoppage (cost: EUR 10k–100k/h)
Aircraft downtime (AOG: EUR 50k–500k/day)
Medical emergencies / donor organs
Contractual penalties for delivery delay
Perishables with narrow time window
Cargo value far exceeds express costs

When standard air freight suffices

Shipment has 3–5 days without consequences
Cargo value is proportionate to express surcharge
Alternative solution already in sight
No contractual delivery obligations
Large volumes / heavy cargo (better charter)

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms in Glossary

Just-in-Time (JIT)Air Waybill (AWB)Air Freight

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