Transit time depends on the origin, destination, routing and service level selected. Express and direct services provide the fastest option, while deferred and consolidated services can offer a lower-cost alternative where there is greater flexibility around the delivery date. Collection, export handling, customs clearance and final delivery should also be considered when comparing airport-to-airport and door-to-door transit times.

Woodland Group has offices in Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, giving us coverage across key manufacturing and export regions in China. Our teams coordinate collections, air freight bookings and export requirements at origin, connecting with Woodland operations and customs capabilities across key destination markets.

Hong Kong International Airport and Shanghai Pudong are two of the world's most important international air cargo gateways. Their scale provides significant connectivity and airline choice for businesses exporting from China, although available capacity and rates can change considerably during periods of high demand.

Chinese New Year can have a significant impact on manufacturing, collections and air freight capacity. Factories may reduce or suspend production around the holiday, while increased demand ahead of the shutdown can put pressure on available space and rates. Volumes can also take time to normalise as factories and supply chains restart.

Where shipment dates are known in advance, planning earlier provides greater flexibility over routing, service level and departure date.

Air freight rates from China are influenced by available capacity and demand. Passenger schedules, eCommerce volumes, seasonal peaks, Chinese New Year and wider market conditions can all affect the amount of space available and the rate airlines charge.

Rather than assuming today's rate will remain available, businesses with regular China volumes can plan around known peak periods and consider different carriers, gateways and service levels as market conditions change.

The cost of air freight from China depends on the shipment's chargeable weight, route, service level and current market conditions, alongside applicable handling, screening, customs and collection or delivery charges.

Airlines generally charge against whichever is greater: the shipment's actual gross weight or its volumetric weight. For bulky, lower-density cargo, dimensions can therefore have a significant impact on the final freight cost. Providing accurate weights and dimensions when requesting a quote allows us to assess the most appropriate routing and service.

The right mode depends on the cargo, required delivery date, shipment size and cost considerations. Ocean freight will generally be more economical for larger, less time-sensitive shipments, while air freight can be appropriate for urgent replenishment, launches, high-value goods and shipments where meeting a specific delivery date is critical.

It does not always need to be one or the other. Businesses can use air freight for urgent or priority stock while moving planned volumes by ocean, adapting the balance as demand and inventory requirements change.

Yes. Woodland Group has experience handling dangerous goods by air, including lithium batteries and other regulated commodities. These shipments are subject to specific classification, packing, labelling, documentation and airline acceptance requirements.

For lithium batteries and other dangerous goods, providing the relevant product and safety information before booking allows our team to confirm the applicable requirements and available routing before the cargo is presented to the airline.

Woodland Group's UK customs team can manage the import clearance as part of the wider air freight movement. Our teams in China coordinate the origin requirements, while our UK operation manages the destination customs process, helping ensure documentation and clearance requirements are considered before the cargo arrives.

This joined-up approach provides greater continuity between the freight movement and customs clearance and allows potential documentation or classification issues to be identified earlier.

Yes. Our China operation can arrange collection from suppliers and coordinate the cargo through to the departure gateway. Depending on the shipment, we can also support requirements such as packing, crating and labelling before departure.

Packing is particularly important for air freight because dimensions can affect chargeable weight as well as cargo protection. Considering this at origin can help avoid unnecessary volume and ensure the shipment is suitable for air transport.

Air freight consolidation combines compatible shipments onto scheduled services, allowing businesses to access a more cost-effective air freight option where the fastest possible transit is not required.

The right choice depends on the delivery deadline, available capacity and shipment characteristics. Businesses with regular China volumes may use a combination of direct, express and consolidated services, reserving faster options for urgent cargo while using consolidation for planned replenishment.

Yes. Woodland Group supports eCommerce supply chains from China into key destination markets, combining international freight with customs, warehousing and fulfilment capabilities. This allows inventory to move from origin through international transport and into the destination supply chain through a coordinated service.

Digital visibility and integration options can also provide shipment and inventory information throughout the process.

Send us the collection location in China, destination, gross weight and dimensions, commodity and required delivery date. From there, our team can assess available routings and service levels and provide a rate and realistic transit time.

Accurate dimensions are particularly important because air freight may be charged on volumetric rather than actual weight. If the shipment contains lithium batteries, dangerous goods or other regulated products, let us know at the quote stage so that the relevant handling and airline requirements can be considered from the outset.