Air cargo moves billions of dollars of goods around the world every day — from semiconductors and pharmaceuticals to fresh seafood and fashion collections. Yet for many business owners who import or export by air for the first time, the process feels opaque. Who books the flight space? What happens at the airport? How does customs clearance work? This guide walks through every stage of the air cargo journey from origin to destination, in plain language designed for Canadian importers and exporters.
The Air Cargo Journey: Step by Step
Air cargo does not simply get loaded onto a plane and fly to its destination. It moves through a carefully managed chain of handoffs — each with its own documentation, timing, and compliance requirements. Here is how it works from end to end:
Booking & Rate Confirmation
Your freight forwarder books space on an airline (or consolidates your shipment with others) and confirms the rate based on chargeable weight, route, and service level. You receive a booking confirmation with the flight details and expected transit time.
Cargo Acceptance & Security Screening
Cargo is delivered to the airline's cargo terminal at the origin airport by a cut-off time (typically 3–6 hours before departure for domestic, 24–48 hours for international). It undergoes mandatory security screening — X-ray, physical inspection, or known shipper verification — before being accepted for flight.
Build-Up into ULDs
Accepted cargo is built up into Unit Load Devices (ULDs) — the standardized aluminium containers and pallets used to load aircraft efficiently. ULDs are sealed and weighed before being transferred to the aircraft side. Individual boxes and pallets are consolidated within ULDs according to destination, weight, and cargo type.
Flight & Transit Hubs
The cargo flies to its destination — either directly or via a hub airport (e.g., Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Chicago, Toronto). At hub airports, ULDs are broken down, sorted, and rebuilt for onward connections. The air waybill (AWB) tracks each consignment through every leg of its journey.
Arrival & Customs Clearance
On arrival at the destination airport, cargo enters the customs zone. For imports into Canada, your freight forwarder's customs team files the CBSA entry electronically in advance. Once customs releases the shipment, it moves to the airline's freight terminal for pickup or onward delivery.
Final Delivery
Released cargo is picked up from the airport cargo terminal by a delivery truck or courier and transported to your business address. Many freight forwarders offer door-to-door air freight service, coordinating this final leg as part of the overall shipment.
Key Air Cargo Terms Explained
Understanding the terminology makes the air cargo process much clearer. Here are the most important terms you will encounter:
Air Waybill (AWB)
The primary contract of carriage for air freight. Non-negotiable — it names the consignee directly. Tracks the shipment through every leg of its journey.
Unit Load Device (ULD)
Standardized aluminium containers and pallets used to consolidate cargo for loading onto aircraft. Different aircraft types use different ULD configurations.
Chargeable Weight
The greater of actual gross weight or volumetric (dimensional) weight. Airlines charge whichever is higher to account for large, light shipments that consume space without heavy freight revenue.
Belly Cargo
Cargo carried in the lower deck of passenger aircraft, alongside checked baggage. Subject to passenger schedule changes and baggage load variability.
Freighter Aircraft
Dedicated all-cargo aircraft with no passenger cabin. Offers higher weight limits, more predictable capacity, and ability to carry goods restricted from passenger aircraft.
HAWB / MAWB
House Air Waybill (issued by forwarder) vs. Master Air Waybill (issued by airline). When a forwarder consolidates multiple shipments, each client gets a HAWB under one MAWB.
How Air Freight is Priced
Air freight pricing is more nuanced than ocean or ground freight. The base rate is applied to the chargeable weight — the greater of actual gross weight or volumetric weight — and several surcharges are layered on top.
Calculating Volumetric Weight
Volumetric weight (also called dimensional weight) is calculated as:
Volumetric Weight (kg) = (Length cm × Width cm × Height cm) ÷ 6,000
Example: A box measuring 80cm × 60cm × 50cm has a volumetric weight of 80 × 60 × 50 ÷ 6,000 = 40 kg. If the actual gross weight is only 15 kg, you are charged for 40 kg — the volumetric weight is higher and therefore the chargeable weight.
Air Freight Surcharges
In addition to the base rate per kg, air freight invoices typically include:
| Surcharge | What It Covers | Typical Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Surcharge (FSC) | Airline fuel cost fluctuations | Per kg — varies monthly with oil prices |
| Security Surcharge (SSC) | Airport security screening costs | Per kg — fixed or zonal rate |
| Airport Handling (THC) | Terminal handling at origin and destination | Per shipment or per kg |
| Customs Documentation | AWB preparation and filing fees | Flat fee per shipment |
| Dangerous Goods (DGR) | Additional handling for hazmat shipments | Per shipment — varies by class |
| Customs Clearance | Broker fee for CBSA entry at destination | Flat fee or percentage of cargo value |
For a full breakdown of freight costs, see our guide on freight forwarding costs in Canada. To compare air freight against ocean shipping economics, see air freight vs. ocean freight.
Types of Air Cargo Service
Not all air freight is equal — different service levels suit different shipment types and urgency requirements:
Express / Priority
Next-flight-out or next-day delivery. Used for critical parts, medical supplies, and time-definite shipments where the premium cost is justified by urgency. See emergency air cargo.
Direct / Deferred
Standard air freight booked on the next available flight without premium routing. Balances speed and cost for regular commercial shipments where 3–5 day door-to-door is acceptable.
Consolidated Air Freight
Your shipment shares an aircraft ULD with other cargo at a lower rate. Ideal for smaller shipments where cost is more important than absolute speed. Slightly longer cut-off requirements.
Charter Cargo
An entire aircraft chartered exclusively for your cargo. Used for oversized, extremely high-value, or time-critical loads that cannot be accommodated on scheduled services.
Perishable Air Freight
Temperature-controlled handling and priority loading for fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, biologics, and other cold chain cargo. See perishable freight forwarding.
Dangerous Goods (DGR)
Hazardous materials moved under IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations with certified packaging, labelling, and documentation. Requires DGR-trained handling at every stage.
Major Canadian Air Cargo Airports
Canada is served by several major international cargo airports, each with different connectivity and strengths:
| Airport | Code | Primary Trade Lanes | Key Cargo Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Pearson | YYZ | Trans-Atlantic, US, global | Canada's largest cargo hub; widest airline coverage |
| Vancouver International | YVR | Trans-Pacific, Asia, US | Primary Asia-Pacific gateway for Western Canada |
| Montréal-Trudeau | YUL | Trans-Atlantic, Europe, US | Strong European connectivity; aerospace sector |
| Calgary International | YYC | North America, select international | Energy sector, Western Canada distribution |
| Edmonton International | YEG | North America, select international | Oil & gas sector; northern Canada access |
| Winnipeg Richardson | YWG | North America, select international | Central Canada hub; agriculture and aerospace |
Air Cargo Customs Clearance in Canada
All commercial air cargo entering Canada must be cleared through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). For air freight, the CBSA requires advance cargo information before the aircraft arrives — your freight forwarder files this electronically as part of the standard service.
The air cargo customs clearance process involves:
- Pre-arrival filing of cargo details under CBSA's Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program
- Preparation of the customs entry (B3 form) based on the commercial invoice and packing list
- HS tariff classification and duty/tax calculation
- Electronic release from CBSA once the entry is accepted and any duties are paid
- Physical examination if CBSA selects the shipment for inspection (adds 1–2 days)
- Release of the cargo to the consignee or delivery agent
For a full import guide, see importing freight into Canada. For documentation basics, see what is a bill of lading — though note that air cargo uses an air waybill rather than a traditional bill of lading.
When Should You Use Air Freight?
Air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean or ground freight on a per-kilogram basis. It makes economic sense in specific circumstances:
- Time-critical delivery — product launches, production line shutdowns, event deadlines
- High-value, low-weight goods — electronics, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals where insurance and carrying costs make speed economical
- Perishable cargo — fresh produce, flowers, live seafood, temperature-sensitive biologics
- Emergency stock replenishment — avoiding stockouts when ocean freight timelines are too slow
- New supplier testing — sending a small trial order by air before committing to ocean container volumes
- Seasonally urgent goods — fashion, holiday merchandise, agricultural inputs with short windows
Air vs. ocean decision rule: If your cargo value exceeds approximately $4,000–$5,000 per cubic metre, air freight economics often work in your favour even at higher rates — because the insurance savings, faster inventory turns, and reduced financing costs offset the freight premium. Your freight forwarder can model this for your specific shipment.
What Cannot Be Shipped by Air?
Certain goods are prohibited or restricted on passenger aircraft and some freighter services under IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR) and Transport Canada rules:
- Explosives (Class 1) — generally prohibited on all commercial air services
- Flammable liquids above certain quantities without proper DGR packaging and declaration
- Lithium batteries above IATA thresholds (watt-hour limits apply)
- Radioactive materials without specialized handling approval
- Magnetized materials above defined field strength limits
- Some infectious substances and biological materials without IATA P650 packaging
Many hazardous goods can move by air under proper IATA DGR compliance — with correct packaging, labelling, marking, and shipper declarations. A freight forwarder with DGR expertise manages this compliance on your behalf and advises on whether your goods qualify for passenger aircraft, freighter-only, or whether they require another mode entirely.
Ready to Ship by Air Freight in Canada?
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