North America-China is one of the world’s most important trade routes. Our job is to advise you on the best solution to meet your deadline, no matter when you need them to arrive. Port selection and an understanding of national infrastructure is critical, as is detailed knowledge of Chinese customs and bureaucracy.
Chartering an aircraft from North America is a complex operation, but sometimes it is the only solution to ensure your goods arrive on time.
An air charter operation from North America to China can be achieved in 24-48 hours when permits are in place. Should a permit-at-location be necessary, this can take up to ten days. A key element is having a local team on the ground, available 24/7, to ensure the right decisions are made, the most efficient point of export is selected, and the Air Charter operation runs as seamlessly as possible, avoiding significant unnecessary costs.
Your plan will include both full charter – and, if available, part charter solutions to ensure you get the space you need.
Ultimately On-board Courier (OBC) delivery is the fastest and most secure mode of transport from Europe to North America. Still, it is only suitable when your goods can be carried onto the plane or within the baggage hold of a commercial flight.
Depending on the distance from the major hubs in North America, an OBC operation can often deliver within 24-36 hours from collection.
The key to using OBC from North America successfully is understanding when it is a viable option. This is done by ensuring the goods can be carried, the correct customs documentation can be completed, and the best departure and arrival points are selected, considering cost and risk. Ensuring that the couriers visa, testing requirements and merchandise-in-baggage clearance can be completed are all prerequisites to a successful OBC operation.
Airfreight is often the best solution if you need to transport your goods to North America faster than ocean freight. Depending on your deadline, options include Emergency, Next-Flight-Out, Express and Standard service.
While airfreight from North America is a popular and generally reliable option, if done incorrectly, airfreight can result in significant delays of days or even weeks and unnecessary extra cost.
Emergency and next-flight-out operations can often deliver within 36-60 hours, depending on the distance from the airport at each end. The airlines must-ride products usually come with a premium, and when selecting a standard airfreight, it is best to look at which airline has the best offer on the day. Standard airfreight from North America to China will often deliver between seven and ten days.
Our airfreight supplier network consists of all cargo carriers on the North America-China route, including Air France KLM, American Airlines, British Airways, Cargo-Lux, Delta Airlines, Kalita, Lufthansa SF Airlines, United Airlines and others.
Major airports utilised for air solutions include John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Flying into Beijing Capital Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an Airport. Kunming Changshui Airport, Xi’an Xianyang Airport, Wuhan Tianhe International Airport.
Sea freight from North America to China generally takes between four and six weeks, depending on the port of destination. It is generally the most economical option, but in events such as the Covid pandemic, there was significant disruption to ocean carrier networks, resulting in substantial delays and much higher costs. Events such as this have highlighted the need for flexible contingency plans when shipping critical items by sea freight.
