FREIGHT FORWARDING · AIR FREIGHT
Air Freight Services in India
Fast, IATA-compliant air cargo for urgent, high-value and perishable shipments — with the customs clearance and trade registrations handled by the same team.
IATA ACCREDITED · DOOR-TO-DOOR & AIRPORT-TO-AIRPORT · MUMBAI-BASED
- TYPICAL TRANSIT
- 3–6 days, door to door
Quick facts
AIR CARGO ACCREDITATIONS
- IATA
- FIATA
- AEO
- DGFT
- C-TPAT
- TAPA
03 · THE BASICS
What is air freight — and how does it work?
Air freight moves your cargo by aircraft — the fastest way to ship internationally. Here’s what first-time shippers need to know, including the one thing that surprises everyone: how you’re charged.
Chargeable weight
- Airlines charge on whichever is greater — your cargo’s actual weight, or its volumetric (dimensional) weight. Light but bulky freight is billed by the space it takes.
- VOLUMETRIC KG = L × W × H (CM) ÷ 6000
When air freight makes sense
Tight deadlines
Days, not weeks — for orders that can’t wait.
High-value goods
Lower insurance and less time exposed in transit.
Perishables & pharma
Temperature-sensitive cargo that must move fast.
Samples & spares
Small, urgent shipments and AOG parts.
04 · THE DECISION
Air freight vs sea freight — which should you use?
The honest comparison. For most first shipments it comes down to speed versus cost.
| Text | Air Freight | Sea Freight |
|---|---|---|
| Transit time | 3–8 days | 20–40 days |
| Cost | Higher — per kg | Lower — per volume |
| Best for | Urgent, high-value, perishable | Bulk, heavy, non-urgent |
| Cargo size | Small to medium | Large volume / FCL |
| Charged on | Chargeable (volumetric) weight | Container or CBM |
Rule of thumb: air for urgent & high-value, sea for volume.Not sure? Compare sea freight
05 · STRAIGHT TALK
How much does air freight cost from India?
Air freight is priced per kilo — on chargeable weight — plus surcharges and duties. Here’s what moves the number.
Chargeable weight
Actual or volumetric — whichever is greater sets your billable kg.
Lane
Mumbai → US, EU or Middle East each carry different base rates.
Service level
Standard, express or next-flight-out — speed costs more.
Fuel & security surcharges
Airline fees that move with the market — flagged upfront.
Customs duty & taxes
Based on your product’s HS code and destination.
Insurance
Optional cover for your cargo’s declared value in transit.
Air freight typically runs USD 1.5–4+ per kg depending on lane, weight and service. We quote your exact all-in rate — freight, surcharges and customs together. Get your air rate
06 · TRANSIT TIMES
Air freight transit times from India
Realistic door-to-door ranges from Mumbai. Actual times depend on flight schedules, customs and your service level.
| Destination | Standard | Express · next-flight-out |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 4–7 days | 2–4 days |
| Europe (EU) | 3–6 days | 2–3 days |
| United Kingdom | 3–6 days | 2–3 days |
| Middle East (GCC) | 2–4 days | 1–2 days |
| South-East Asia | 3–5 days | 1–3 days |
| Africa | 4–8 days | 3–5 days |
Want the exact transit and rate for your lane?Check trade-readiness
07 · THE PROCESS
How your air shipment moves
Fast doesn’t mean opaque. Here’s every step from booking to your buyer’s door.
Quote & booking
All-in air rate, and space booked with the airline the same day.
Pickup & export docs
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
Customs & security
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
Uplift & flight
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
Delivery & clearance
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
08 · RESTRICTIONS
What can (and can’t) go by air
Air has stricter rules than sea — but we handle the compliance. Here’s the shape of it.
WE SHIP BY AIR
- General cargoBoxed, palletised and most commercial goods.
- Perishables & pharmaTemperature-controlled and time-sensitive.
- High-value goodsElectronics, jewellery, samples — fully insured.
- Dangerous goodsIATA-certified handling and documentation.
- Oversized / heavyCharter and consolidation options.
RESTRICTED — TALK TO US FIRST
- Lithium batteriesStrict IATA packing and declaration rules.
- Certain chemicalsSome classes are air-prohibited — we advise alternatives.
- Prohibited itemsWeapons, narcotics, counterfeit — never carried.
09 · THE DIFFERENCE
One partner — and every document you need to fly
Air freight is only half the job. You also need your registrations and export documents in order, or your cargo sits at the airport. We handle both.
Import Export Code (IEC)
Mandatory to export from India — set up in onboarding.
AD Code
Registered at your airport of export. No clearance without it.
Shipping Bill
The export declaration we file with customs.
Air Waybill (AWB)
The airline’s contract of carriage for your cargo.
Commercial Invoice & Packing List
What’s in the box, and its declared value.
KYC / e-Way Bill
Prepared wherever your goods and lane require it.
We register what’s missing and file every document — so your cargo never waits on paperwork. Explore trade registrations
10 · WHY US
Why exporters choose Masa Gaia for air freight
Speed is table-stakes. The reasons first-time and growing exporters trust their air cargo to us:
IATA-accredited handling
Certified air-cargo processes and documentation.
Transparent per-kg pricing
All-in rates, chargeable weight explained, no surprises.
One partner, end to end
Air freight, customs and registrations — one team.
SME-first support
Built for first-time and growing exporters.
“Our first pharma air shipment cleared without a hitch — they sorted the AD Code and the AWB, we just handed over the cargo.”
11 · FREE TOOL
Not sure what your air shipment needs? Check your readiness.
Answer four quick questions and get a personalised checklist of the registrations and documents your air shipment needs — free, in two minutes.
Check your readinessThis is an example report shown for illustration. Your own result is produced by the tool.
60% readyfor your first air shipment
- Import Export Code (IEC)— already held
- AD Code (airport)— still neededneeded
- IATA DG declaration— still neededneeded
12 · EXPLORE
Other freight modes
Air isn’t always the answer. Compare with the other ways we move your cargo.
13 · ANSWERS
Air freight — your questions, answered
What’s the minimum weight for air freight?
There’s no hard minimum, but air is billed on chargeable weight — very small parcels may suit express courier better. We’ll advise on the cheapest fit.
Is air freight faster than sea freight?
Yes — days versus weeks. Air suits urgent, high-value or perishable cargo; sea wins on cost for volume.
Can you ship dangerous goods by air?
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
Do you offer door-to-door air freight?
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
What documents do I need to ship by air?
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
How is air freight cost calculated?
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
Need it there fast? Let’s get it flying.
Get an all-in air-freight quote and a checklist of exactly what your cargo needs — freight, customs and registrations, from one team.