Top 10 air freight shipping costs influencing factors and cost analysis 2025
In the global business environment, air freight shipping has become an important freight option for many companies and individuals due to its high efficiency and speed. However, the composition of air freight costs is relatively complex and is affected by many factors.
Air freight shipping costs influencing factors
First, the weight of the goods is one of the key factors in determining air freight costs. Usually, air freight companies calculate freight costs based on the unit price per kilogram. The heavier the goods, the higher the cost.
The price range is generally 45 kg, 100 kg, 300 kg, 500 kg, 1000 kg and above (see details in the product). However, it should be noted that for goods with large volume and relatively light weight, airlines may charge according to volume weight.
The distance of shipping is also an important factor affecting air freight logistics costs. Generally speaking, the longer the transportation distance, the higher the logistics cost. For example, the cost of air freighting goods from China to Europe will be significantly higher than that of air freighting goods from China to Southeast Asia. In addition, different departing airports and destination airports will also impact on the costs.
The type of goods will also affect the air freight costs. Special goods, such as dangerous goods, fresh food, valuables, and goods with temperature requirements, usually have higher logistics costs than ordinary goods because they require special handling and protection measures.
(For example: temperature-controlled goods, pharmaceutical cold chain requires special equipment, and the cost would increase by 30%-50%.)
In addition, the timeliness requirements of shipping will also be reflected in the cost. If you need to expedite transportation and deliver the goods to the destination in the shortest time, the direct flight price will be higher than the transshipment price; the airline will provide priority handling and fast shipping services for this, but the cost will increase accordingly.
Different airlines also have different charging standards. Some large international airlines may have advantages in service quality and route coverage, but their costs may be relatively high; while some small or regional airlines may offer more competitive prices.
In addition to the above direct cost factors, some indirect costs need to be considered. For example, the packaging cost of the goods. In order to ensure the safety of the goods during air freight, strong packaging materials that meet air freight standards need to be used, which will incur certain costs. In addition, fuel costs, customs clearance costs, insurance costs, etc. are also components of air logistics costs.
Other factors:
Market supply and demand
Demand changes: During e-commerce shopping festivals and peak production seasons, the demand for cargo shipping increases significantly. If the supply of shipping capacity cannot be matched in time, air freight prices will rise. For example, during shopping festivals such as "Christmas" and "Black Friday", the volume of e-commerce cargo has exploded, and the demand for air freight capacity is strong, which drives up freight rates.
(A typical case of supply and demand imbalance is the Red Sea crisis in 2024: cargo ships bypassing the Cape of Good Hope have extended the shipping cycle, and some goods have turned to air transport, pushing up the freight rate of the Asia-Europe route by 30%.)
Capacity supply changes: The belly of passenger aircraft is an important source of capacity for air cargo, and the increase or decrease of passenger flights will directly affect the cargo capacity of the belly. When passenger demand decreases, the belly capacity of passenger aircraft decreases, and the demand for cargo remains unchanged or increases, air freight prices may rise. In addition, the number of cargo aircraft invested and the elimination of old cargo aircraft will also affect air shipping capacity, and thus affect prices.
Shipping costs
Fuel prices: Aviation fuel is one of the main operating costs of airlines, and fluctuations in fuel prices will directly affect air freight shipping costs. When fuel prices rise, airlines will increase air freight prices to transfer cost pressure.
Airport charges: The charging standards of different airports vary, including landing and take-off fees, parking fees, ground service fees, etc.
Route factors
Route busyness: Popular routes such as Asia Pacific to Europe and America, Europe and America to the Middle East, etc., due to frequent trade and large cargo demand, airlines have invested more capacity on these routes, but competition is also fierce. Prices will be affected by both supply and demand and the degree of competition. Prices will rise in the peak season, and may fall in the off-season due to competition.
Geopolitical policy: tariffs, route restrictions and trade frictions
Geopolitical risks indirectly affect air freight prices:
Tariff policy: Before the United States imposed tariffs on China, companies rushed to ship goods, causing the freight rates on the China-US route to soar by 18% in a single week;
Airspace restrictions: After the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, European airlines flew around Russian airspace, and the flight time on the Asia-Europe route increased by 2-3 hours, and fuel costs increased by 8%-12%.
For example
In order to understand the air shipping costs more intuitively, we will use a specific case to illustrate. Suppose a company wants to ship a batch of 500 kg of electronic products from Shenzhen, China to Los Angeles, USA, and chooses a well-known international airline with a unit price of US$6.3 per kilogram. Since electronic products are not special goods, no additional handling fees are required. At the same time, the company chooses the normal shipping time. In this case, the air freight cost of this batch of goods is about US$3,150. But if the company needs to deliver the goods within 24 hours and chooses expedited service, the cost may increase by 50% or even higher.
Analysis of air freight prices in 2025
In 2025, the overall international air freight prices may fluctuate and rise, but the performance will vary in different time periods and routes.
January: Due to the demand for stocking up before Chinese New Year and the possible introduction of new tariff policies by the United States, companies shipped goods in advance, demand increased significantly, and freight rates on major routes such as Asia-Pacific to Europe and the United States continued to rise.
February: After the Chinese New Year, the previous backlog of goods was shipped, demand fell, and the volume of goods on e-commerce platforms may be adjusted after the holiday, and the global average freight rate may fall compared to January.
March: The afterglow of the pre-tariff rush in the first quarter is still there, and some goods are still in transit. At the same time, the gradual recovery of manufacturing production may drive a certain amount of freight demand, and freight rates may rise slightly on the basis of February.
April to June: If there is no major emergency, capacity and demand are relatively stable, and the global average air freight rate is expected to fluctuate around ±5%.
July to August: Summer tourist season, part of the belly cargo capacity of passenger planes is occupied by passenger luggage, etc., and cargo capacity is relatively tight. At the same time, e-commerce platforms are preparing for promotional activities in the second half of the year, and air freight rates may increase by 10%-15%.
September to October: The traditional cargo peak season is coming, coupled with the e-commerce "Golden September and Silver October" promotional activities, the demand for cargo transportation is strong, and freight rates may continue to rise by 10%-15%.
November to December: Shopping festivals such as "Black Friday" and "Christmas" have led to explosive growth in e-commerce goods, and demand has reached the peak of the year. The global average freight rate may rise by 15%-20% compared with September. However, by the end of the year, as the shopping festival craze subsides and the off-season arrives, prices may fall.
(The above is for reference only, please refer to the actual quotation.)
So, the determination of air freight logistics costs is not a simple single factor, but the result of the combined effect of multiple factors. When choosing air freight logistics services, cargo owners please comprehensively consider your own needs, budgets and the characteristics of the goods, and fully communicate and negotiate with freight forwarding companies to obtain the most optimized freight solution and reasonable cost quotes.
How to get a fast and accurate air freight quote?
1. What's your product?
2. Goods weight and volume? Or send us the packing list from your supplier?
3. Where is your supplier's location? We need it to confirm the nearest airport in China.
4. Your door delivery address with postcode. (If door-to-door service is required.)
5. If you have correct goods ready date from your supplier, will it be better?
6. Special notice: whether it is overlong or overweight; whether it is sensitive goods such as liquids, batteries, etc.; whether there are any requirements for temperature control.
Senghor Logistics will provide the latest air freight quotation according to your cargo information and needs. We are the first-hand agent of airlines and can provide door-to-door delivery service, which is worry-free and labor-saving.
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Post time: Jun-25-2024
