When speed matters, air freight is one of the most reliable ways to ship goods internationally. Whether you’re sending urgent business documents, eCommerce orders, product samples or commercial goods, air freight offers faster transit times compared to sea freight.
Businesses today rely on air freight to keep their supply chains moving, fulfil customer orders quickly and reduce delivery delays. While air freight generally costs more than sea freight, its speed, reliability and worldwide connectivity make it the preferred shipping method for many international shipments.
With EasyParcel Singapore, you can compare trusted international courier services that utilise air freight networks, allowing you to ship to more than 220 countries and territories from one convenient platform.
In this guide, we’ll explain how air freight works, when you should use it and how EasyParcel helps simplify international air shipping.
Table of Contents
What Is Air Freight?
Air freight refers to transporting cargo or parcels by aircraft between different countries or regions.
Unlike sea freight, which may take several weeks, air freight significantly reduces delivery time and is commonly used for:
- Urgent shipments
- International business documents
- eCommerce orders
- Product samples
- Electronics
- Medical supplies
- High-value goods
Air freight is suitable for both businesses and individuals who need fast international delivery.
How Does Air Freight Work?
The air freight process typically involves several stages before your shipment reaches its destination.
Step 1: Prepare the Shipment
Pack your goods securely and measure the parcel’s weight and dimensions accurately.
Step 2: Book an Air Freight Service
Choose an international courier or logistics provider that offers air freight services.
With EasyParcel, you can compare multiple courier options in one platform.
Step 3: Collection
The courier collects your shipment from your home, office or warehouse, depending on the selected service.
Step 4: Customs Clearance
The shipment undergoes export customs clearance before departing and import customs clearance upon arrival at the destination country.
Step 5: Air Transportation
Your shipment is transported by aircraft to the destination country.
Step 6: Last-Mile Delivery
After customs clearance, the destination courier delivers the shipment to the recipient.
Benefits of Air Freight
Air freight remains one of the most popular international shipping methods because of its many advantages.
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Fast Delivery | Much quicker than sea freight, making it ideal for urgent shipments. |
| Global Coverage | Reach more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. |
| Reliable Transit Times | Airline schedules provide more predictable delivery timelines. |
| Enhanced Shipment Security | Airports have strict security procedures, helping reduce the risk of loss or damage. |
| Real-Time Tracking | Monitor your shipment from pickup to delivery. |
Air Freight vs Sea Freight
Choosing between air freight and sea freight depends on your shipment requirements.
| Air Freight | Sea Freight |
|---|---|
| Fast delivery | Longer transit time |
| Best for urgent shipments | Best for large or heavy cargo |
| Suitable for high-value goods | More economical for bulk shipments |
| Higher shipping cost | Lower shipping cost |
| Ideal for eCommerce and business deliveries | Ideal for large commercial imports and exports |
International Air Freight Services Available on EasyParcel
|
Courier Partner
|
Service Type
|
Delivery Duration
|
Price From
|
Action
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
TarcX Logis
|
TarcX Logis International
|
3 – 8 working days after collection
|
from S$3.90
|
|
NinjaVan
|
International (MOQ 5pcs)
|
5-10 working days to West Malaysia
7-15 working days to East Malaysia (subjected to custom clearance) |
from S$6.80
|
|
|
International Express (no MOQ)
|
5-10 working days to West Malaysia
7-15 working days to East Malaysia (subjected to custom clearance) |
Based on destination and weight
|
||
SF Express
|
SF Express International
|
Depends on destination country
(subjected to custom clearance speed) |
from S$29.80
|
|
Aramex
|
Aramex EPX (to Malaysia)
|
3- 5 working days to Malaysia
(subjected to custom clearance) |
from S$7.60
|
|
|
Aramex EPX(to USA)
|
7-10 working days
|
from S$26.40
|
||
FedEx
|
FedEx International Connect Plus
|
1 - 2 working days
|
from S$29.50
|
|
|
FedEx International Priority
|
1 - 2 business days worldwide
|
Based on destination and weight
|
||
|
FedEx International Priority Express
|
1 - 2 business days to select destinations
|
Based on destination and weight
|
||
|
FedEx International Economy
|
2 to 5 business days to major markets
|
Based on destination and weight
|
||
Janio
|
Janio International
|
3-10 working days (subjected to custom clearance)
|
from S$5.25
|
|
UPS
|
UPS International
|
Delivery by end-of-day by UPS depends on countries
|
from S$33.30
|
|
Teleport
|
Teleport Priority
|
Next day
|
from S$15.00
|
|
Airpak
|
Airpak International
|
2-5 working days (subjected to custom clearance)
|
from S$14.45
|
|
City-Link
|
City-Link International
|
3-5 working days after collection
|
from S$5.50
|
Compare International Air Freight Services
Looking for the fastest way to ship internationally?
Compare trusted air freight courier services through EasyParcel and choose the best delivery option based on your destination, delivery timeline and shipping requirements.
When Should You Choose Air Freight?
Air freight isn’t always the cheapest shipping method, but it’s often the best choice when speed, reliability and security are your top priorities.
Here are some situations where air freight is the ideal solution.
Urgent Shipments
When your shipment needs to arrive within a few days, air freight offers one of the fastest international delivery options available.
Ideal for:
- Business documents
- Time-sensitive orders
- Emergency replacement parts
eCommerce Orders
Fast delivery helps improve customer satisfaction and reduce waiting time, making air freight an excellent choice for online sellers shipping internationally.
High-Value Products
Air freight provides shorter transit times and enhanced shipment security, making it suitable for:
- Electronics
- Luxury goods
- Medical equipment
- Branded products
Product Samples
Businesses often use air freight to send product samples to overseas buyers before placing bulk manufacturing orders.
What Can Be Shipped by Air Freight?
Air freight is suitable for many types of goods, provided they comply with airline and destination country regulations.
Common Air Freight Shipments
- Business documents
- Clothing & Fashion Products
- Electronics
- Mobile Accessories
- Product Samples
- Beauty Products
- Home & Living Items
- Books & Printed Materials
- Commercial Goods
- eCommerce Orders
Items That May Have Air Freight Restrictions
Some products require special handling, approval or may not be accepted for air transportation.
Examples include:
- Dangerous goods
- Flammable liquids
- Explosives
- Corrosive chemicals
- Certain lithium batteries
- Compressed gases
- Firearms and ammunition
- Illegal or prohibited goods
How to Book Air Freight with EasyParcel
1. Log in EasyParcel account.
2. Under “Send Parcel”, Click on “International Delivery”.
3. Enter details (sender country with postcode, destination country with postcode and parcel weight) and click on “Quote”.
Choose your preferred courier and click “Book Now.”
4. Fill in all details included Sender Details, Receiver Details, Parcel Details and Add-On Services.
Sender and Receiver Details:
Parcel Details:
Enter the actual weight, dimension and content of your parcel.
Parcel Content:
Fill in your item name. Then, choose your item category from the dropdown menu. The HS code will be auto generated based on your selection.
Note: Learn more about Smart HS Code.
Add-On Services:
i. Select your preferred duties payment option – Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) or Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU).
Note: Learn more about DDP and DDU.
ii. Tick the box to add EasyCover for additional protection against loss.
Note: EasyCover availability depends on the courier selected. Learn more about EasyCover.
iii. Choose your preferred notification channel – SMS, Email, or WhatsApp. Click “Preview” to see how it looks, and click “Customise” to add brand message to the notification.
Note: Learn more about Customise Branding Servcies.
iv. Tick the “Mask Sender Details” checkbox. EasyParcel Next Gen will automatically hide your sender information based on your saved privacy settings.
Note: Mask Sender Details only available for certain couriers. Find out what courier is available for Mask Sender Details.
v. Tick the “Custom AWB” checkbox. EasyParcel Next Gen will apply your saved AWB template automatically. After completing all details, click on “Checkout” button.
Note: Custom AWB is only available for certain couriers. Find out which couriers support Custom AWB.
5. Double check all the details and click on “Pay Now” to make payment.
6. Download and print Air Waybill (AWB).
Single AWB
1. Click the three dots icon next to the shipment.
2. Select “Print AWB” from the dropdown menu.
3. A PDF file will automatically download and save.
Bulk Downloads AWB
1. Tick the “Selected” checkbox to choose all your orders.
2. A menu will appear at the bottom of the screen.
3. Click “AWB” to download all AWBs in bulk.
Why Book Air Freight Through EasyParcel?
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Smart HS Code
Automatically receive suitable HS Code suggestions based on your product description, helping simplify customs documentation.
Smart Address
Reduce manual address entry by automatically filling recipient address details for faster and more accurate bookings.
Bulk Shipment Upload
Upload and process up to 1,000 shipments at once, ideal for businesses handling large shipping volumes.
Branded Tracking Page
Enable EasyTrack Branding to personalise your tracking page with your logo, promotional banners and marketing messages, helping strengthen your brand and encourage repeat purchases.
Final Thoughts
Air freight is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to ship goods internationally. Whether you’re sending urgent business documents, high-value products, product samples or eCommerce orders, choosing the right air freight service can help improve delivery speed and customer satisfaction.
With EasyParcel Singapore, you can compare trusted international air freight services from FedEx, UPS, Aramex and SingPost in one place. Combined with features such as Smart HS Code, Smart Address, Bulk Shipment Upload and EasyTrack Branding, EasyParcel simplifies every stage of your international shipping journey.
If you’re looking for a fast, reliable and convenient air freight solution, EasyParcel makes international shipping easier than ever.
