Air Freight from China: your goods delivered quickly and safely
Van Thiel Transport arranges your air freight shipment from China: from factory to final destination
When time is of the essence, air freight offers the fastest and most reliable transport solution for shipments from China. Van Thiel Transport handles the entire door-to-door process: from collection from your supplier to customs clearance in the Netherlands.
Our specialists guide you every step of the way, from documentation to delivery. This way, you can be sure your goods arrive safely, on time, and as agreed.
Would you like more information about air freight from China? We usually respond within one hour on business days.
When to choose air freight from China?
Air freight is the ideal choice when:
- Your shipment is urgent or needs to reach Europe quickly
- You are working with smaller or valuable goods
- You have a time-sensitive delivery
- Your goods have a limited shelf life or need to be put into production quickly
Van Thiel Transport is happy to advise you on the best solution for importing your shipment from China by air freight.
Transit times and costs of air freight from China
Air freight is the fastest way to transport goods from China to the Netherlands or other European destinations. The average transit time for air freight from China depends on whether you choose direct or indirect air freight:
- Direct air freight: 3 to 5 days
- Indirect air freight (with transshipment): 5 to 7 days
The cost of air freight depends on several factors:
- Weight and volume
- Departure airport (e.g., Shanghai, Shenzhen, or Hong Kong)
- Destination in the Netherlands or Europe
- Selected Incoterm and service
Van Thiel Transport collaborates with reliable airline partners, so you benefit from competitive rates, fixed departure days, and guaranteed delivery reliability.
Customs Clearance, Documentation, and Incoterms for Air Freight
Air freight from China involves a lot of administration. Van Thiel Transport handles all documentation and customs formalities for you.
We provide:
- Air Waybills (AWB)
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Export documents, certificates, and customs clearance
- Advice on the correct Incoterm, such as EXW, FCA, or DAP
Our specialists ensure that your goods are quickly cleared by customs and that you won’t be faced with unexpected costs.
Air Freight for E-commerce and Amazon FBA
Van Thiel Transport specializes in air freight shipments for e-commerce, including deliveries to Amazon FBA warehouses. We understand all the requirements of every Amazon FBA warehouse, guaranteeing Amazon acceptance of your shipment. Do you also want a hassle-free transport process?
We arrange:
- Pickup from the supplier in China
- Air transport to the Netherlands
- Customs clearance and delivery to our warehouse
- Labeling, repackaging, and palletizing according to Amazon requirements
- Delivery to Amazon or bol.com warehouses in Europe
This way, your air freight shipment is processed quickly, error-free, and fully compliant with Amazon’s requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Air Freight from China
Do you have questions about air freight from China? We have compiled the questions we often receive, such as the rates or benefits of rail transport, below. Is your question not listed here? Then contact us, our staff will be happy to help.
The average door-to-door transit time is:
- Direct flight: 3–5 days
- Indirect flight (via hub): 5–7 days
- Express services (DHL/UPS/FedEx): 2–4 days
The exact duration depends on the departure airport, flight availability, customs clearance, and type of service.
Air freight rates vary depending on:
- Weight and volume (chargeable weight)
- Type of goods
- Departure airport in China
- Selected service (economy/priority/express)
- Season (high season vs. low season)
For an accurate quote, Van Thiel Transport will calculate the cost based on weight, volume, and desired speed.
For a standard air freight shipment, you will need:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Air Waybill (AWB)
- HS codes of the goods
- Any certificates, depending on the product (CE, MSDS, certificate of origin, etc.)
Van Thiel Transport checks all documents in advance to prevent delays.
The most commonly used Incoterms for air freight are:
- EXW (Ex Works): seller delivers to their address; buyer arranges everything
- FCA (Free Carrier): seller delivers to the export terminal; very suitable for air freight
- DAP (Delivered at Place): everything arranged up to the delivery address in the Netherlands
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): including import duties and VAT (note: often complex for Chinese sellers)
Van Thiel Transport helps you choose the Incoterm that best suits your situation.
Van Thiel Transport provides full support:
- Proactive monitoring of flights and shipments
- Direct contact with airlines, handling agents, and customs
- Quick resolution of documentation issues
- Support with inspections, clearance issues, or missing documents
Our goal: minimize delays and deliver your shipment without problems.
Is your question not answered?
Our employees are happy to help you, so please feel free to contact us.