Air Cargo: Air Freight Information Directory for Apparel
Need merchandise there fast? Learn how air freight works for clothing and textiles, and browse airlines and air cargo providers.
Free Freight & Planning Tools
Planning estimates only. Confirm final load plans and costs with your forwarder, carrier or customs broker.
Why Air Cargo Matters to the Fashion Industry
If you work with international factories you may already know the answer. When production orders are late for the buyer, shipping merchandise by air freight is the best way to shorten transit time. Unfortunately, air freight costs far more than ocean freight, so fashion companies use it strategically.
When apparel companies choose air
- Recovering late production to hit a delivery window or retailer cancel date.
- Samples and prototypes moving between design teams and factories.
- Fast fashion and in-season replenishment where speed to shelf drives sales.
- High-value goods such as luxury, leather and jewelry, where security and speed justify the cost.
How Air Freight Is Priced
Airlines and forwarders charge by chargeable weight, the greater of actual weight and volumetric (dimensional) weight. Boxed garments are bulky but light, so volumetric weight frequently applies. A common international standard divides cubic centimeters by 6,000 to get kilograms; some express couriers use 5,000. Check with your carrier.
Documents & Clearance
Air shipments move under an air waybill (AWB). Your commercial invoice, packing list and customs filings should be ready before the flight lands. Delays in clearance can erase the time saved by flying, so many importers use a forwarder who is also a customs broker. See freight forwarders and customs.
Air Cargo Directory
Do not trust your air freight shipments with just any company. Do your research to find a good service provider.
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DB SchenkerCombines Deutsche Bahn's transport and logistics activities worldwide and serves fashion and retail with air/sea services, integrated cargo management, U.S. distribution and quality control. Freeport, NY. Services: logistics, ocean, air, trucking.
- DHL
DHL Air Forward products use air as the main mode and offer a choice of delivery speeds to suit customer requirements.
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- Transatlantic Airways
Specialist in air cargo between the Americas and Russia, Eastern Europe and the Baltic States; offices in New York, Miami and Moscow.
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- Volga-Dnepr Airlines
Global cargo transportation using unique An-124-100 Ruslan aircraft, suited to oversize cargo.
Learn more: How to calculate volumetric weight · How many cartons fit in a container
Other Shipping Options
Want to learn about other ways to move apparel? These sections may help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is air freight so expensive compared with ocean?
Aircraft space is limited and costs more to operate, and rates are driven by chargeable weight. For many garments, air can cost several times more per kilogram than ocean per unit, which is why it is reserved for urgent or high-value shipments.
What is volumetric weight?
Volumetric weight converts the space a package takes up into an equivalent weight. Carriers bill on whichever is greater, actual or volumetric, so bulky light cartons of apparel often pay by volume.
Can I ship apparel samples by express courier?
Yes. Couriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS are commonly used for samples and small orders. For commercial quantities, a forwarder with air consolidation may be more economical.
How can I track an air shipment?
Use the air waybill number on the airline or forwarder tracking site, or use the Apparel Search tracking packages page for major carriers.