Airport-to-Airport Air Freight Services

Airport-to-airport air freight is designed for exporters who need to ship cargo from Thailand to an overseas destination airport. The service can be arranged from cargo pickup at a factory, warehouse, or other pickup location, including export customs clearance and air transportation to the agreed destination airport.

KTC Global Logistics can check airlines, routing, flight schedules, available space, chargeable weight, export documentation, and cargo restrictions before booking to identify a suitable air freight option for each shipment.

To request a quotation, please provide the cargo details, destination airport, number of packages, dimensions, weight, and Cargo Ready Date. Our team can then check available flights and provide an initial cost estimate.

What Is Airport-to-Airport Air Freight?

Airport-to-airport Air Freight is a service in which cargo is transported to the agreed destination airport. The service generally covers cargo pickup in Thailand, export customs clearance, and international air transportation, depending on the scope specified in the quotation.

Once the cargo arrives at the destination airport, the importer, consignee, or their appointed Freight Forwarder is responsible for Import Customs Clearance, applicable duties and taxes, and cargo collection from the airport, unless additional destination services have been agreed in advance.

Before booking, the quotation should therefore be checked carefully to confirm exactly where the service begins and ends, including Origin Charges, Export Customs Clearance, Air Freight, and any other applicable charges.

How Does Shipping from an Overseas Airport to the Recipient’s Address Work?

The main difference is the scope of service after the cargo arrives in the destination country. With airport-to-airport service, the consignee or appointed agent at destination is responsible for handling the cargo after it arrives at the airport. With door-to-door service, transportation from the airport to the recipient’s address is arranged according to the shipment requirements.

Airport-to-airport service is therefore suitable for exporters who already have an importer or freight forwarder in the destination country and primarily require KTC to handle the origin services and Air Freight from Thailand.

What Types of Shipments Are Suitable for This Service?

This service is suitable for export shipments that require fast transportation and have a consignee or appointed agent capable of handling Import Customs Clearance and cargo collection at destination.

Examples of Cargo Commonly Shipped by Air Freight Include:

• Spare Parts and Machinery Components
• Industrial Parts
• Electronic Equipment
• Product Samples
• Urgent Commercial Shipments
• Goods for Production or Maintenance Support
• High-Value Goods Requiring Shorter Transit Times

However, Air Freight should not be selected based on urgency alone. Weight, package dimensions, cargo characteristics, costs, and airline restrictions should also be considered.

What Information Is Required for an Air Freight Quotation?

Key information includes the cargo pickup location, Airport of Destination, commodity, number of packages, dimensions, Gross Weight, and Cargo Ready Date, as these details affect airline selection and Air Freight calculations.

Please Prepare the Following Information:

• Cargo Pickup Location or Pick-up Address
• Airport of Destination, such as LAX, FRA, LHR, DEL, or another required airport
• Cargo Description or Commodity
• HS Code, if available
• Number of Packages
• Dimensions (Length × Width × Height) of Each Package
• Gross Weight
• Cargo Ready Date
• Commercial Invoice and Packing List, if available
• Special cargo information, such as batteries, liquids, chemicals, magnets, or goods that may be classified as Dangerous Goods

For oversized or heavy cargo, please provide the dimensions and weight of each package in detail. Aircraft type, cargo door dimensions, ULD limitations, and individual airline acceptance requirements may affect whether the cargo can be transported.

How Is Air Freight Calculated?

Air Freight is not calculated based on Gross Weight alone. Chargeable Weight is also taken into account, which considers both the actual weight and the volume of the cargo.

Lightweight cargo packed in large boxes may have a Chargeable Weight higher than its actual weight, while dense cargo may be charged based on Gross Weight.

In addition to Air Freight, a quotation may include other charges depending on the scope of service, such as Pickup, Export Customs Clearance, Terminal Handling, Documentation, or other shipment-related charges. Customers should therefore compare the Total Cost and the complete scope of service rather than only the Freight Rate per kilogram.

What Documents Are Required for Air Freight Shipments?

For a Commercial Shipment, the main documents generally include a Commercial Invoice and Packing List. Additional documents will depend on the type of cargo and export requirements.

The Thai Customs Department specifies the documents and information required for air export shipments, such as the Export Declaration, Invoice, Air Waybill, and Packing List. Additional documents or permits may be required for controlled goods depending on the type of cargo. Please check the latest requirements directly with the Thai Customs Department.

Information and Documents to Prepare for Your Shipment Include:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Shipper’s Name and Address
• Consignee’s Name and Address
• Cargo Description
• HS Code, if available
• Cargo Value and Currency
• Country of Origin, if applicable
• Permit or Certificate, if the goods are subject to specific regulatory requirements

Does the Exporter Need to Register with Thai Customs?

Businesses that need to complete electronic customs clearance procedures should check their registration status with the Thai Customs Department before their first shipment.

If your company or the exporter has not previously exported goods, please inform KTC during the quotation stage so that the required procedures and relevant documents can be checked before the Cargo Ready Date.

The Thai Customs Department provides information on registration for electronic customs clearance and customs procedures. Please refer to the Thai Customs Department for the latest requirements.

What Types of Cargo Should Be Checked Before Booking Air Freight?

Cargo subject to safety restrictions, chemical regulations, battery requirements, or specific permit requirements should be carefully checked with the Airline before shipment.

Examples of Cargo That Should Be Declared in Advance Include:

• Lithium Batteries and Products Containing Lithium Batteries
• Power Banks and Battery Packs
• Chemicals
• Liquids, Flammable Substances, and Aerosols
• Dangerous Goods
• Temperature-Controlled Cargo
• Food, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, and Health Products
• Medical Devices
• Telecommunication Equipment or Goods Subject to Specific Regulatory Requirements
• Goods Requiring an Export Permit or Specific Authorization Documents

For Dangerous Goods and Battery Shipments, Classification, Packaging, Marking, Labeling, Documentation, and applicable State and Operator Variations must be checked before transportation. Air cargo Dangerous Goods requirements can be reviewed through the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Acceptance of these types of cargo depends on the cargo details, documentation, Airline, and Routing. Each Shipment must therefore be reviewed individually before Booking is confirmed.

How Does the Airport-to-Airport Air Freight Process Work?

The process begins with reviewing the cargo details and destination, followed by selecting a suitable Airline and flight before proceeding with Booking and export arrangements.

1. Send Shipment Details — Provide the Commodity, Airport of Destination, Packages, Dimensions, Weight, and Cargo Ready Date.
2. Check Cargo and Routing — Review Airline restrictions, Schedule, available Space, and cargo requirements.
3. Receive a Quotation — Review the Freight charges and other costs according to the scope of service.
4. Confirm Booking — Reserve Space with the Airline on the agreed flight.
5. Cargo Pickup — Arrange Pickup from the factory, warehouse, or agreed pickup location.
6. Export Customs Clearance — Prepare the required information and coordinate Customs Clearance according to the agreed scope of service.
7. Deliver Cargo to the Airline — Deliver the cargo to the Terminal according to the Airline’s Cut-off Time and requirements.
8. Arrival at Destination Airport — Upon arrival, the Consignee or Destination Agent proceeds with the next steps according to the arrangements made.

Flight Schedule and Transit Time may change depending on the Airline, Routing, Transshipment, Space availability, holidays, and operational factors. The actual flight schedule should therefore be checked before every Booking.

Who Handles Customs Clearance and Cargo Collection at the Destination Airport?

For services ending at the destination airport, the Importer, Consignee, or Destination Agent is responsible for Import Customs Clearance and cargo collection after arrival, unless additional destination services have been agreed in advance.

Duty, Tax, Storage, Terminal Charges, and other destination charges are not normally included automatically in the Air Freight rate. Each party’s responsibility should be checked against the applicable Incoterms, commercial terms, and the Quotation for the Shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Airport-to-Airport Air Freight

Can You Pick Up Cargo from a Factory and Deliver It to an Overseas Airport?

Yes, subject to the service area and agreed scope. KTC can arrange Pickup from a factory or warehouse in Thailand together with Air Freight to the destination airport as part of the same Shipment.

Does the Consignee Have to Collect the Cargo from the Airport?

The Consignee may appoint a Customs Broker or Freight Forwarder at destination and does not need to handle every step personally. However, a responsible party at destination should be arranged before the cargo arrives.

Does the Air Freight Rate Include Import Duties and Taxes at Destination?

Import duties and destination charges should not be assumed to be included. They depend on the destination country, type of goods, commercial terms, and the scope of the Quotation, and should be confirmed before Booking.

Can Dangerous Goods Be Shipped by Air?

Some types of Dangerous Goods can be shipped by air, but the UN Number, Class, Packing Group (if applicable), MSDS or technical information, as well as Airline and Routing requirements, must be checked before Booking can be accepted.

What Information Is Required for a Quotation?

At a minimum, please provide the Airport of Destination, Commodity, number of Packages, Dimensions, Gross Weight, and Cargo Ready Date. If Pickup is required, please also provide the cargo pickup location.

How Long Does Air Freight Take?

Transit Time depends on the Airline, Routing, whether the shipment is on a direct flight or requires Transshipment, Space availability, and the Schedule at that time. It should therefore be checked for each Shipment rather than assuming a fixed number of days.