Air freight – rules for sending parcels and waiting times

Air freight – parcel rules and waiting times.

Every parcel that is going to be sent to a customer needs to be well prepared and therefore, above all, properly packed. This is particularly important in the case of less common means of transport, such as, for example, air transport. How should an air shipment be prepared, what rules should be kept in mind and what is worth paying attention to?

How to protect a parcel to be transported by air?

It is worth being aware that the security of an air shipment must be particularly careful – especially since it is not uncommon for goods to travel even several thousand kilometres. First and foremost, care should be taken to select a suitable cardboard box. A thin-walled cardboard box may be too risky, so it is better to choose 5-layer cardboard boxes. In addition to this, you should also remember to choose the right size of cardboard box – a box that is too big can make the consignment not well protected, even despite the fillers inside. At Rajapack, boxes and cardboard packaging are available in various sizes and layers (including 5 and 7 layers).

At the same time, it is important to remember that shipments weighing more than 20 kg should be placed in two cardboard boxes – this will prevent the package from deforming and puncturing the parcel, and thus possibly damaging the goods.

Shipping by air also requires the parcel to be secured with suitably thick tape. This should be used both across and along the carton, as well as at the joints and corners. It is advisable to do this several times in order to ensure that the tape does not become unstuck due to heat or humidity, for example.

Bubble wrap, absorbents and fillers

What air and ground transport have in common is that when packing a consignment, it is worth taking care not only about the size and thickness of the cardboard box or carefully taping the consignment. Both express air shipments and shipments that take a little longer to transport should be protected with, among other things, bubble wrap. This protects the shipment from shocks, creases and scratches. In addition, bubble wrap offers excellent protection against moisture, weather and chemicals. Most goods – especially fragile goods – should be carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and then secured with tape before being placed in the box. Many retailers also use bubble wrap to fill empty space in a carton.

For some goods, it will be a good idea to include moisture absorbers – i.e. special sachets filled with silica gel or clay – in the package. This is especially true if you are transporting foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals or clothes. The same is true for electronics.

When preparing a parcel – whether it is an air shipment or not – it is also worth bearing in mind the fillers. The aforementioned bubble wrap can be used for this purpose, although there are many more options.

Airmail: a transport crate may be necessary

Retailers should also be aware that for high-value, large and extremely fragile shipments, the best choice is not an ordinary cardboard box, but a special transport box. Its construction inside is tailored to the specific load.

At the same time, when packing a parcel, if an air shipment is involved, it is important to comply with the regulations and requirements of the carriers. Each time, it is necessary to familiarise yourself with the regulations and guidelines for packing the goods to be shipped.

When it comes to the transportation time of an air shipment, on the other hand, it all depends on the carrier. Express air mail can take up to 24 hours to reach the customer. Usually, however, airmail involves a wait of 2 to 7 working days.

Not everything can be sent by airmail – check the terms and conditions of the carrier

Sellers must also be aware that it is necessary to first ascertain whether the product in question can be transported by air at all. This prohibition applies to, among other things, flammable products, including aerosols, perfumes, but also, for example, powerbanks. Goods such as energy products, alcohol, tobacco products or works of art are also excluded from air transport. However, each carrier may draw up an additional list of goods that it does not transport.

For air shipments, it is therefore important to remember that it is necessary to check all rules and regulations with the individual carriers.