What are the Differences Between International Express and International Air Freight?

When I first worked as a freight forwarder, I once felt a headache because I couldnt tell the difference between express and air freight. With the rise of cross - border online shopping and cross - border e - commerce, more and more people need to know about this knowledge, so this article is written, hoping to help you.

I. Applicable Objects

Small - batch goods (less than 45 kilograms, including documents) are generally shipped by international express.

Large - batch goods (more than 45 kilograms) are generally shipped by international air freight.

II. Delivery Methods

International Express: All are "door - to - door" - pickup at the door, customs clearance and delivery included, but tariffs not included.

International Air Freight: Mainly, the shipper delivers the goods to the airport, and the consignee or its agent at the destination port picks up the goods from the airport warehouse - customs clearance, delivery and tariffs not included; there are also a few that provide "door - to - door" service.

III. Service Content

International Express: Express companies are responsible for customs declaration in the consignors country and customs clearance agency services in the destination country, delivery is included, but tariffs in the destination country are not included.

International Air Freight: The consignee or its agent needs to go through customs clearance and pick up the goods at the airport by themselves, and tariffs are not included. If "door - to - door" service is provided, customs clearance and pickup - delivery are included, but tariffs are not included.

IV. Pricing Methods

International Express: The minimum charging weight for a package is 0.5 kilograms. If it is less than 0.5 kilograms, it will be charged as 0.5 kilograms. It is more cost - effective to ship goods under 30 kilograms by international express; for goods over 45 kilograms, it is cheaper to ship by international air freight.

International Air Freight: Usually, the minimum charging weight is 45 kilograms. If it is less than 45 kilograms, it will be calculated as 45 kilograms. For goods less than 45 kilograms, some airlines have an N - rate, which means they do not need to issue invoices according to 45 kilograms, but can be charged according to the actual weight in kilograms.

V. Transportation Timeliness

International Express: Under normal circumstances (normal flights, smooth customs clearance in the destination country and no delivery problems), it can arrive at the door in 3-4 days for nearby countries, developed countries or important air ports or big cities, and 5-6 days for remote areas (mainly countries that are particularly far away, underdeveloped countries or remote small cities).

International Air Freight: If flights are normal and cargo space is arranged smoothly, if it is a direct flight, it can arrive within one day; if it needs to be transshipped, it usually arrives in 2-4 days.

VI. Documents and Paperwork

International Express: Usually, an international express waybill needs to be filled out. If it is goods, a commercial invoice also needs to be provided, and other certification documents need to be provided for special goods.

International Air Freight: Usually, export customs declaration documents and accompanying documents (if any) need to be provided. Accompanying documents are generally invoices, packing lists and certificates of origin, etc. (for customs clearance at the destination port).

Note: Each shipment of international air freight requires formal customs declaration, while international express declares many goods together as a bulk shipment. Therefore, international air freight requires the provision of a power of attorney for agent customs declaration, packing list, invoice and contract (not required in some regions), while express goods only need one invoice, and the customs declaration procedure is simple.

VII. Tracking Methods

International Express: You can query with the international express waybill number on the official website of the international express company (or other express query portals).

International Air Freight: Query with the air waybill number on the official website of the airline (or other express query portals), or consult the airline directly.

VIII. Claim Methods

International Express: When delivering the goods, if the consignee finds problems such as damaged packaging or missing items, he can refuse to sign. Within one month from the date when the agent picks up the goods from the shipper, he shall feed back information or file a claim application in writing to the shipper and the express agent in the destination country.

International Air Freight: In case of damage or shortage of goods, first find out whether it is the carriers liability or the agents liability. Regardless of which party is liable, compensation is generally made in accordance with the provisions of the Warsaw Convention, that is, in accordance with the terms on the back of the air waybill and house air waybill. Generally, according to the charging weight of the goods, the maximum compensation amount is $20 per kilogram.