Shipping goods by air is a must if you want fast delivery. These days, air shipping is nothing new. Air shipping services are crucial because they speed up the distribution of products to various regions throughout Indonesia—and even to other countries.
However, not all goods can be shipped by air. Therefore, only certain products can be shipped this way.
Now, let’s discuss the types of air cargo shipping together, because by understanding these options, you’ll be able to easily choose the right solution for your air freight needs.
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The Following Are the Types of Air Freight Shipping
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General Cargo
This type of shipping is commonly offered by various express companies. Items you can ship in this category are those that do not spoil easily, wilt, or break, and do not require special handling.
Even so, packaging for general cargo must still be handled with care. The shipping company has the right to refuse your shipment if the initial packaging is not secure, as the items inside are at high risk of damage.
In addition, there are various other rules and regulations that you must comply with. You can check these terms and conditions at the shipping company branch nearest to your residence.
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Special Cargo
There are items that do not fall under the general cargo category. Since these items require special handling, their shipment must be carried out professionally and cannot be done carelessly.
The cost for special cargo is indeed quite high, as its shipment requires extra care.
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Hazardous Materials
In addition to the two previous types of goods, air cargo also offers specialized shipping for certain hazardous materials. Items classified under this category include:
- Items Prone to Decomposition in the Air
You can learn how to ship volatile substances by air. These are usually liquids or gases, such as chemicals like hydrogen, butane, and others. You must use special equipment before shipping them. Make sure everything is secure to prevent any accidents.
- Explosive Goods
Some express shipping companies offer services for explosive goods. These items can be used for military or public purposes, but under strict regulations. The rules align with the regulations of the respective country, depending on local policies.
Other items that fall under the category of explosive goods include bullets, gunpowder, fireworks, explosive liquids, and others.
- Flammable Goods
There are many flammable items, and these also require special handling and security measures. Among these items are paint, varnish, ethanol, and others.
- Toxic and Disease-Causing Substances
Toxic items that pose a very high risk of causing disease must also be handled with special care. The company will collaborate with government agencies to inspect these items to determine whether they are safe to transport.
- Other Hazardous Materials
Some chemicals that easily decompose in the air can cause side effects in humans, such as nausea, dizziness, or even poisoning. This poses a serious danger to the safety of people in the vicinity.
These items must be packed in special packaging to prevent the contents from being exposed to air and evaporating. In this case, use extra packaging such as bubble wrap and wooden crates to ensure greater safety.
Now that you know what types of items can be shipped, you can easily choose the type of air freight service that best suits your needs.
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Terms and Conditions for Air Freight
- The items being shipped must not be classified as hazardous or dangerous goods (firecrackers, gas, fireworks, batteries, chemical liquids, oil, and other similar items); if you must ship such items, the terms and conditions must be clearly defined as explained above
- The minimum weight for air shipping is 20 kg
- The dimensions of packed items must not exceed the size of an aircraft cargo door, which is 80 cm in height by 100 cm in width
- The maximum weight for a single Air Waybill is 250 kg; if the weight exceeds the maximum air shipment limit, an additional fee or surcharge will apply, the amount of which will be determined by the respective airline used, in accordance with the company’s policies as well.
- For shipments of batteries or dry cell batteries, a shipdeck fee applies, the amount of which is determined by the airline used
- For any single unit or package weighing more than 50 kg, a spider must be constructed, the cost of which is determined by the size of the item being shipped
Air freight rates are generally higher than those for ground and ocean shipping services. This is due to the speed offered by this service.
Hopefully, we can all learn from this article together.