Fuel & security surcharges
Jet fuel prices move monthly, so the fuel and security components of air freight are adjusted with it. DDP prices are usually inclusive; pure air quotes may show fuel as a separate line.
How Air Freight Pricing Works
The first question every shipper asks. Here is exactly how we price air freight from China to Ukraine, Poland and the UK — chargeable weight, the dimensional weight formula, what is included, and why our quotes carry no hidden fees.
The basics
Chargeable Weight: Gross vs Volumetric
Airlines do not charge by the weight alone. They bill on the greater of two numbers: your actual gross weight and your cargo's volume weight.
Dense cargo — billed on gross weight
Hardware, machinery, auto parts and VRLA/UPS batteries are heavy for their size. Here the gross weight is almost always the larger number, so you pay for what the scale shows.
Light, bulky cargo — billed on volume
Furniture, bags, PET packaging boxes, film and apparel are light but take up aircraft space. On these shipments the volumetric weight wins, even if the carton feels almost empty.
The dimensional weight formula
Volumetric weight (kg) = Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ 6000.
Some carriers and dedicated lines use ÷ 5000 instead, which produces a higher chargeable weight for light cargo. The divisor depends on the airline and the product, so we always state which divisor applies in your written quote. The chargeable weight is the higher of gross and volumetric, usually rounded up to the next 0.5 kg or 1 kg depending on the carrier.
Worked example
Pricing Example — Real Numbers
Three typical shipments on our Shenzhen → Kyiv lane. Volumetric weight uses ÷ 6000.
| Shipment | Dimensions (cm) | Gross weight | Volumetric weight (L×W×H÷6000) | Chargeable weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dense carton (hardware) | 60 × 50 × 50 | 90.0 kg | 25.0 kg | 90.0 kg (gross wins) |
| Light carton (bags / packaging) | 100 × 80 × 70 | 40.0 kg | 93.3 kg | 93.5 kg (volume wins, rounded up) |
| Pallet (LED displays) | 120 × 100 × 120 | 320.0 kg | 240.0 kg | 320.0 kg (gross wins) |
| Worked total: the light carton charges on 93.5 kg. At an indicative DDP rate from USD 4.5/kg to Kyiv, the air leg is about 93.5 × 4.5 ≈ USD 421, before final-mile delivery. We show the divisor, chargeable weight and per-kg rate before booking. | ||||
Rates above are indicative for 100kg+ general cargo. LED screens, UV flatbed printers and electronics are priced by their chargeable weight — see electronics air freight and oversize & bulk cargo.
What you get
What's Included in Our Quote
Our door-to-door DDP price is an all-in number. Nothing is left for you to arrange separately.
- Free pickup in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Yiwu and Hong Kong gateways
- Warehouse handling, consolidation, weighing and carton marking
- China export declaration and air waybill (AWB) issuance
- Main flight air freight to the destination airport
- Import customs clearance, duties and VAT settled on your behalf (DDP)
- Final-mile truck delivery to your door, warehouse or Amazon fulfilment centre
Why rates move
Surcharges & Why Rates Vary
The base per-kg rate is transparent, but a few factors shift it up or down. We list each one on the quote rather than burying it.
Season & capacity
Q4 (before Christmas) tightens belly capacity and pushes rates higher. Book early for peak season. Spring Festival in China also pauses pickup for about a week.
Cargo type
Batteries, liquids, powders and magnetised goods carry DG documentation fees and special handling under IATA DGR. Battery shipping and sensitive cargo are priced accordingly.
Size, weight & location
Pieces exceeding airline ULD limits, single pieces over 500 kg, and remote delivery postcodes all add a documented surcharge. Rates are quoted "from" for 100kg+ general cargo and vary by weight, density, season and fuel.
Our promise
No Hidden Fees Policy
We send a written, itemised breakdown — pickup, air, clearance, duties/VAT, delivery — before you commit to anything. If cargo is re-weighed at the airport and the chargeable weight changes, we notify you before it flies and never after-bill "miscellaneous" charges. That is the point of a DDP dual-clearance booking: one agreed number, door to door.
FAQ
Pricing Questions
How do I calculate chargeable weight myself?
Compare your actual gross weight against the volumetric weight (length × width × height in cm, divided by 6000 or 5000 depending on the carrier). The higher of the two is the chargeable weight, usually rounded up. Not sure which divisor applies? Send us the dimensions and we will calculate it free.
Are duties and VAT included in the price?
On a DDP booking, yes — duties, VAT and import clearance are included in one all-in price. On DDU they are not, and are payable by the receiver on arrival. Your quote states clearly which basis applies. See the customs clearance guide.
Why is one forwarder's per-kg rate much lower than another's?
It is often an airport-to-airport or ex-works price, uses a different volume divisor, or excludes fuel surcharge, clearance and delivery. Always compare full door-to-door, duty-inclusive quotes on the same chargeable weight. Transit times →
Want an Exact Price for Your Cargo?
Send weight, dimensions, commodity and destination — we reply within 2 working hours with a transparent, itemised quote.