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By FedEx | February 19, 2025

Could your business benefit from air freight shipping? Our guide breaks down the most common freight terms you should know, and offers a step-by-step walkthrough for air freight beginners.

• Air freight shipping is a smart way for businesses to move goods at volume swiftly and efficiently.
• However, some businesses are yet to take advantage of international air freight benefits. Barriers to adoption include misconceptions about high costs and slow deliveries. 
• In this guide, we explain common freight terms and share tips to make your first air freight shipment as hassle-free as possible.

Did you know that 150 boxes of sneakers could qualify as freight, but 280 t-shirts might not? That’s because freight isn’t a numbers game – it all comes down to weight and dimensions. At FedEx, for example, any shipment above 68kg is considered freight - so you’d probably need at least 454 t-shirts to meet that weight requirement.

Beyond moving big and heavy shipments, air freight is a smart way for businesses to transport goods efficiently, whether you’re shipping machinery, electronics, or even high-value items such as art and jewelry.

If you’re unsure about air freight shipping, you’re not alone. Many businesses steer away from air freight due to prevailing misconceptions, such as the idea that it’s going to cost more, delay deliveries, or negatively impact the environment. 

But the truth is, air freight is much simpler than most people think. Deployed for cross-border shipments, air freight can be a game-changing option for delivering goods around the world. 

The evolution of air freight

From the first-ever air freight flight in 1910 carrying 91kg of silk cargo, air freight shipping has come a long way, transforming global trade in the process. Beyond swiftly and efficiently transporting goods across borders, international air freight has changed the way businesses interact in the global marketplace, opening up access to new and diverse markets.

Without the advent of air freight, the concept of “express delivery” wouldn’t exist. In the early days, however, shipping goods by air was still expensive and used mainly for urgent, high-value products such as aerospace, automotive, or medical equipment and parts.

Over time, with better aircraft, logistics technology, and digitized global networks, air freight shipping has become more accessible and affordable. Today, industries such as e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and electronics rely heavily on international air freight to transport their products. 

And it’s not just large companies moving major freight volumes. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are getting into the air freight game to increase efficiency as well. 

As companies hustle to expand their supply chains and tap new markets, the global freight industry is busier than ever. In 2024, the global air freight market value reached US$319.4 billion. By 2033, this value could balloon to US$492.7 billion.  

Air freight 101: What businesses need to know

What is air freight shipping - and are you ready to give it a shot? Also known as air cargo, air freight is the transport of products and goods by air. Understanding the terminology involved can make the process smoother and help you communicate with air freight providers like FedEx more effectively. Here are some common freight terms you should know.

• Direct shipping: This is the process of shipping goods directly from your supplier or manufacturer to the consumer without passing through a distribution center. A good example would be a small furniture manufacturer delivering custom orders straight to buyers.
  
• Freight forwarders: These are companies that arrange the movement of goods on behalf of businesses. Global fashion brands, for example, use freight forwarders to coordinate shipments from multiple factories to different markets.
• Less-than-container load (LCL): LCL refers to a shipping arrangement where multiple shipments owned by different parties share space in a container. This setup is ideal for small freight shipments. If a startup wants to ship just 10 boxes of home decor items internationally, they can share container space with other parties moving similar items.

• Full container load (FCL): FCL is a shipping method where a single shipment from one company takes up the entire volume of a shipping container. This helps reduce handling risks, especially for high-value or fragile items. An electronics company moving a big batch of gaming consoles in one go for a major product launch can choose this option. 

Setting up your first air freight shipment

Don’t know where to start? Our step-by-step guide will walk you through making an air freight shipment, including tips on how to make it as hassle-free as possible.

1. Assess if you really need to use air freight

Whether you use air freight shipping or not depends on your business priorities. If you regularly ship large volumes of goods, including perishable items or medical supplies, air freight is worth the investment for reliability and security. If cost savings are more important for you than speed or moving items all at once, you can consider combining air freight with other logistics solutions. 

2. Determine if your shipment qualifies as freight

Air freight is typically used for shipments weighing over 68kg or exceeding standard parcel dimensions. At FedEx, freight not only refers to shipments above 68kg – it also applies to shipments exceeding 274cm in length or 330cm in girth. To ship skids, they must be either above 997kg, or above 178cm in height, 302cm in length or 203cm in width.

To determine if your goods fit these criteria, make sure to measure and weigh your shipment accurately. You can use a freight or shipping calculator, such as FedEx’s rate tool, to estimate costs in advance.   

3. Choose the right air freight shipping service

Do you need an express service, or can your shipment take a little longer? For example, a tech startup that needs to ship prototypes quickly to an overseas investor may opt for express air freight, whereas a retailer replenishing stock might use an economy air freight service to save costs.

You can compare transit times and shipping costs for different service levels to find the best match for your needs. At FedEx, we offer a range of air freight options based on your desired delivery speed, package size, and budget.

• FedEx International Priority Freight: A premium service that delivers your freight within 1 to 3 business days.
• FedEx International Economy Freight: A more affordable air freight service that has no weight limit and typically ships within 3 to 5 business days.
• FedEx International Deferred Freight: A budget-friendly air freight option that delivers heavy shipments within 5 to 7 business days. 

4. Get your air freight documentation in order

Remember to complete your paperwork before sending out your shipments. Here’s a quick checklist to help you out:

• Air waybill: An air waybill is a legally binding shipping document that serves as a receipt or contract between the sender and carrier. Containing detailed information about your air freight shipment, such as package information and barcoding, it is commonly known at FedEx as your shipping label or tracking number. The air waybill is also used for shipment tracking purposes and to facilitate customs clearance.
• Commercial invoice: Required during customs clearance, this document helps customs officials assess the value of your goods and determine applicable taxes and duties.
• Packing list: This is a document that describes what’s inside your shipment and how goods are packaged. It itemizes the contents of each package (i.e. boxes, pallets, etc.), including weight, measurements, and a detailed list of items inside.

Any small error in these documents can lead to costly hold-ups, especially during customs clearance. Work with a reliable logistics provider to ensure all your paperwork is complete and compliant with your destination country’s regulations.

5. Pack your freight shipment securely

Use high-quality packing materials, such as strong pallets or crates, and secure everything to protect the goods and avoid damage during transit. Label your package with clear handling instructions. 

For example, a company shipping glassware could use foam padding and dividers to prevent breakage, while an electronics supplier may need anti-static packaging. If you’re unsure, ask your logistics provider for packaging recommendations.

6. Book your shipment and track it

Schedule a shipment pickup with your chosen logistics provider or freight forwarder. Use tracking tools to monitor deliveries in near-real time. You can also set up notifications for delays or required delivery actions to take, as most carriers offer email or SMS alerts.

Reach new heights with air freight 

Freight shipping is incredibly diverse: you can move everything from raw materials to luxury goods. The more you understand the dynamics of different types of air freight, the easier it is to optimize your shipping strategy to save time, resources, and costs.

At FedEx, we make air freight shipping simpler for businesses across Asia Pacific. Whether you’re shipping across borders or scaling your business globally, we have the industry expertise and global network to help you deliver packages your way to over 220 destinations worldwide.

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Ready to get started? Learn more about our air freight services today and take your business to new heights.