International Air Freight Forwarding Services

Q: How is air cargo billable weight calculated?

Air cargo billable weight is calculated based on either actual gross weight or volumetric (chargeable) weight, whichever is greater. Volumetric weight is derived using the standard IATA ratio: (Length x Width x Height in cm) / 6000.

Q: Can ShipLilly handle customs clearance for air cargo imports?

Yes. ShipLilly provides seamlessly integrated customs clearance for all air shipments, handling Air Waybill (AWB) compliance, HTS tariff classification, entry filings, and partner agency coordination (FDA, USDA, TSA).

Q: Are there restricted items for air freight shipping?

Certain hazardous materials, unapproved lithium batteries, explosives, flammable liquids, and counterfeit goods are restricted or prohibited. Regulated goods can often be accepted with proper MSDS and dangerous goods declarations.

Accelerated Supply Chain

Rapid Air Cargo Solutions Built for International Buyers

When time to market determines supply chain success, ocean transit is simply not fast enough. ShipLilly delivers licensed international air freight forwarding services engineered for global importers, exporters, and manufacturers needing fast, dependable cargo movement.

Operating from major strategic hubs—including Miami International Airport (MIA), key Asian manufacturing gateways, and trade hubs across Latin America—our certified air logistics coordinators manage end-to-end booking, cargo consolidation, airport-to-door transit, and customs entry.

IATA & TSA Certified Logistics Specialist

Fully compliant air freight processes strictly adhering to international air transport security standards.

Guaranteed Block Space Agreements (BSA)

Direct commercial carrier allotments ensuring space availability even during peak shipping seasons.

Air Freight Key Performance Highlights

Designed for high-value electronics, medical equipment, fashion, automotive spare parts, and urgent inventory replenishment.

Transit Speed: Expedited (24–48 hours) & Standard (3–5 days) flight options.
Global Network: Direct service routes linking China, Southeast Asia, Miami, Latin America & Europe.
Clearance Integration: Seamless U.S. Customs Brokerage & Importer Security Filing prior to landing.
End-to-End Visibility: Proactive flight tracking with milestone alerts from origin dispatch to final receipt.

Tailored Air Freight Solutions

Comprehensive Air Cargo Logistics Options

Choose the exact balance of speed, capacity, and cost efficiency required for your commercial cargo.

Express Priority Air Cargo

For urgent shipments demanding immediate uplift. Cargo is assigned to the next available commercial flight with top priority boarding.

Typical transit: 24 to 48 hours
Guaranteed space & rapid tarmac handling
Ideal for critical spares, tech, & samples

Standard Commercial Air Freight

The optimal balance between cost and delivery speed, utilizing scheduled passenger and freighter airline networks globally.

Typical transit: 3 to 5 business days
Cost-effective scheduled departures
Airport-to-Airport or Door-to-Door routing

Consolidated Air Freight (Economy)

We combine multiple smaller shipments onto scheduled weekly consolidations to secure volume rates without sacrificing reliability.

Typical transit: 5 to 7 business days
Maximum air transport cost savings
Single house air waybill (HAWB) control

Air Charter Services

Dedicated aircraft chartering for oversized project cargo, high-volume inventory launches, or extreme emergency logistics.

Full or partial aircraft charter solutions
Custom flight routing & landing permits
Heavy-lift & out-of-gauge payload support

Temperature-Controlled Air Cargo

Specialized cold-chain logistics for pharmaceuticals, perishable goods, and sensitive biochemical products.

Active & passive thermal packaging solutions
Real-time temperature logging & monitoring
FDA & USDA regulatory clearance adherence

Air-to-Ground & FTZ Integration

Direct transfer from airport tarmac to our licensed Miami Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) for duty deferral and regional redistribution.

Immediate bonded airport drayage
Duty deferral until U.S. domestic entry
Pick, pack, & outbound fulfillment

Regulatory & Operational Excellence

Navigating Air Cargo Regulations & Chargeable Weight

Understanding how air freight is priced and cleared is crucial for controlling your landed costs. ShipLilly provides complete transparency on chargeable weight calculations and ensures full compliance with international air security regulations.

Chargeable Weight Calculation (IATA Standard)

Air freight rates apply to whichever is higher: actual gross weight or volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is calculated using the formula: (Length x Width x Height in cm) / 6000. Our coordinators optimize box dim-weight ratios to prevent unnecessary shipping surcharges.

Dangerous Goods & Lithium Battery Compliance

Shipping electronics containing lithium-ion batteries requires strict adherence to UN3480 / UN3481 guidelines. ShipLilly evaluates Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), handles UN packaging certifications, and files Dangerous Goods Declarations (DGD).

Air Freight Documentation Checklist

Air Waybill (AWB / HAWB): Contract of carriage establishing title and delivery terms.
Commercial Invoice & Packing List: Precise commodity description, line-item valuations, and HTS tariff codes.
Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI): Specific instructions for export clearance and international routing.
Partner Agency Permits: FDA, USDA, or FCC clearances required for regulated medical, food, or wireless goods.

Seamless Execution

How Your Air Cargo Shipment Moves

A proven, end-to-end air freight management process delivering complete visibility from origin pickup to final destination.

1. Quote & Booking

We analyze your cargo dimensions, weight, schedule, and Incoterms to match the optimal airline flight schedule.

Step 01

2. Pickup & Screening

Cargo is collected from the factory, inspected, packed per IATA rules, and screened at our certified airport facility.

Step 02

3. Flight & Clearance

Your cargo flies on scheduled capacity while our customs brokerage team submits customs entry paperwork in advance.

Step 03

4. Final Delivery

Upon airport release, cargo is dispatched via expedited drayage or delivered directly to your warehouse, store, or FTZ.

Step 04

Expert Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common air freight logistics questions from international importers and enterprise buyers.

What is the standard transit time for international air freight?

Standard air freight transit times typically range from 1 to 3 days for express priority services and 3 to 7 days for standard or consolidated deferred air freight, depending on the origin airport, carrier flight availability, and customs entry processing speed.

How is air cargo billable weight calculated?

Air cargo billable weight is charged based on either actual gross weight or volumetric (chargeable) weight, whichever is greater. Volumetric weight is derived using the standard IATA formula: (Length x Width x Height in cm) / 6000 (or Length x Width x Height in inches / 166 for imperial units).

Can ShipLilly handle customs clearance for air cargo imports?

Yes. ShipLilly offers fully integrated customs clearance services for all air cargo imports. Our in-house brokerage coordinates HTS tariff classification, customs bond coverage, entry filings, and partner government agency clearances (FDA, USDA, FCC) to prevent airport hold delays.

Are there restricted items for air freight shipping?

Yes. Hazardous goods, loose lithium-ion batteries, explosives, flammable gases/liquids, and counterfeit trademarked items face strict air security bans or regulations. Regulated items can often be transported provided proper UN packaging, MSDS certification, and Dangerous Goods Declarations are completed.