Air Freight Price: Current Rates & Cost Guide 2026
Air freight prices vary by route, weight, service level, and season. This page shows current market rates for the most popular air cargo routes, explains what drives pricing, and helps you estimate your shipping cost.
Current Air Freight Rates by Route (April 2026)
Prices vary by route, weight, service level, and season – routes like China→USA, China→Europe, and Germany→USA are among the busiest, and typically the most competitively priced. Get a personalized quote for exact current pricing on your route.
Rates are market estimates for 100–500 kg shipments (April 2026). Actual prices depend on exact weight, dimensions, commodity, and current surcharges. Get a personalized quote →
What’s Included in the Price?
The rates above are base rates (airport-to-airport). Total cost includes additional charges:
| Cost Component | Typical Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base freight rate | Varies by route | See current rates or request a quote |
| Fuel surcharge (FSC) | +10–25% | Changes monthly |
| Security surcharge | On request | Post-screening |
| Terminal handling (THC) | On request | Origin + destination |
| AWB fee | On request | Per shipment |
| Customs clearance | On request | If door-to-door |
| Pickup/delivery | Varies | Only for door-to-door |
Rates vary by route, weight, and season — request a quote for current pricing.
What Affects Air Freight Pricing?
1. Chargeable Weight
Airlines charge based on chargeable weight = MAX(actual weight, volumetric weight). Volumetric weight = L×W×H (cm) ÷ 6,000. Bulky, light cargo pays for volume, not weight. Learn to calculate →
2. Route Supply & Demand
China→USA has massive capacity (many daily flights) so rates stay competitive. Niche routes (e.g., Africa→South America) have less capacity and higher rates.
3. Seasonality
Peak season (October–January) sees rates increase 20–50% due to holiday shipping. Chinese New Year (January/February) creates another spike. Q2 (April–June) is typically the cheapest period.
4. Fuel Prices
Jet fuel prices directly impact the fuel surcharge (FSC), which is updated monthly. When oil prices rise, FSC can add 20–25% to the base rate.
5. Cargo Type
Dangerous goods (DG/HAZMAT), perishables, and pharmaceuticals require special handling, documentation, and sometimes dedicated flights — all adding cost.
Air Freight Price per Kg by Weight Bracket
Heavier shipments generally get lower per-kg rates on the China→USA lane, and every carrier structures its weight breaks differently – see our calculator for an estimate at your specific weight.
See detailed per-kg rates for all routes: Air Freight Price per Kg →
Tools & Resources
- Air Freight Calculator — instant cost estimate with volumetric weight
- Get a Free Quote — personalized rates from multiple carriers
- Air Waybill Guide — understand your shipping documents
- Compare Services — standard vs express vs economy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does air freight cost per kg?
Air freight is priced per chargeable kilogram, and the rate depends heavily on route, service level, and cargo type – there is no single typical figure. Use our calculator for an instant estimate, or request a quote for exact pricing.
Why do air freight prices vary so much?
Route demand, service level, weight bracket, commodity type, seasonality, and fuel prices all affect the rate. The same box can cost 3× more during peak season on express vs. economy in Q2.
Air freight rates are the prices airlines and freight forwarders charge to move cargo by air, typically quoted per kilogram or per cubic meter. Your final air freight cost depends on the shipment’s actual weight and its volumetric weight (dimensional weight), whichever is greater, plus various surcharges. For a precise quote, always request a specific calculation from your supplier, as conversion factors and rounding rules vary by carrier.
What determines the price of air freight?
The price you pay for air freight is never a single flat number. It is a combination of the base freight rate, which is tied to the chargeable weight of your shipment, and a series of additional charges. Understanding these components helps you interpret quotes and compare offers from different freight forwarders.
Actual weight versus volumetric weight
Airline cargo space is limited, so carriers charge based on the space a shipment occupies relative to its actual weight. This is the volumetric weight (also called dimensional or DIM weight). For air freight, the neutral industry standard is that 1 cubic meter (m³) equals 167 kg. A standard pallet or crate measuring 120 cm × 80 cm × 75 cm equals 1.2 cubic metres (1.2 m³), which gives a neutral volumetric weight of 200.4 kg under that common factor. However, this is a neutral reference. Your freight forwarder may apply a different divisor (e.g., 1:200 or 1:250) depending on the airline and trade lane. Moreover, some forwarders round up to the next half or full kilogram after calculating the volumetric weight. No universal chargeable kg calculation exists without knowing your supplier’s specific conversion and rounding rule.
The chargeable weight is the higher of the actual gross weight (including packaging) and the volumetric weight. For light, bulky cargo, you pay for the space used; for dense, heavy cargo, you pay for the mass carried. Always ask your provider explicitly: “What divisor and rounding rule do you use for volumetric weight?”
Additional charges beyond the base rate
Beyond the freight rate per chargeable kg, several mandatory and optional charges are common in air freight. These include fuel surcharges (often adjusted weekly or monthly), security surcharges (mandatory after international security regulations), and handling charges at origin and destination airports. During peak seasons (e.g., before major holidays), carriers often add a peak season surcharge. Some lanes have special local charges, such as air waybill fees, terminal charges, or surcharges for dangerous goods or temperature-controlled cargo. Your quote should list each line item separately.
What is excluded from your air freight price
A standard air freight quote rarely includes everything. Typically excluded are cargo insurance, customs duties and taxes at destination, road transport from the origin warehouse to the airport, and road transport from the destination airport to your final door. Customs clearance fees at either end are also usually separate. Always check the quote’s exclusions before comparing offers. For a full explanation of our calculation methodology, see our pricing methodology page.
Why you will not see a fixed rate here
We do not publish generalised lane prices, carrier names, airport transit times, or fixed per-kg rates because air freight prices change daily due to fuel costs, capacity, and demand. A rate that is valid today for one route may not apply tomorrow or for a different airport pair. Without a validated lane, carrier, and shipment details, any number would be misleading. Your actual quote is always based on your specific origin, destination, dimensions, weight, and service level.
What is the difference between air freight rate and air freight cost?
The air freight rate is the price per chargeable unit (e.g., per kg or per m³) before surcharges. The air freight cost is the total amount you pay, including the base rate, all surcharges, and any accessorial fees. Always compare total costs, not just rates.
How do I calculate the chargeable weight for my air shipment?
Measure the length, width, and height of your shipment in centimetres (including packaging). Multiply them together and divide by the volumetric conversion factor your forwarder uses (commonly 1:167 for air freight, but check). Compare this volumetric weight to the actual gross weight. The larger number is your chargeable weight. For multiple pieces, calculate each piece separately and then sum the chargeable weights, or use the total volume and total weight of the whole consignment – ask your provider which method they apply.
Why are air freight prices higher in some months?
Air freight demand peaks before major retail holidays (e.g., Christmas, Chinese New Year) and during new product launches. When capacity shrinks (e.g., aircraft groundings), prices rise. Fuel costs also affect surcharges. These peak and local charges are not permanent; they vary by region and season.
Is insurance included in my air freight quote?
No. Cargo insurance is almost always a separate optional service. The quoted freight rate covers only carriage by air and related handling. If you need coverage for loss or damage, request a separate insurance quote.
What does “door-to-door” include in air freight?
Door-to-door means the freight forwarder arranges pickup from your origin address, air transport, customs clearance, and delivery to your destination address. However, even in door-to-door quotes, customs duties and taxes are usually excluded. Verify your quote to see which services are itemised.
Can I compare air freight quotes from different forwarders?
Yes, but only if you provide identical shipment details (gross weight, dimensions, origin and destination airport codes, commodity type, and required transit time) to each. Then compare the total cost breakdown, not just the base rate. Ensure every quote includes the same surcharges and exclusions.
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