Air freight services | Delay – Documents – Process – Advices

For more details on its 2 other transport methods, do not hesitate to visit the dedicated pages: Sea freight and Rail freight

Air freight between UK and the rest of the world - Estimated time

How long does it take to ship from / to UK?

It is difficult, if not impossible, to give deadlines with perfect precision. Why ? Quite simply, because a multitude of stages are to be considered in the logistics process: road freight on departure and arrival, airport procedure on departure and arrival, customs clearance ... Air freight itself does not vary. not very much, it will depend on the possible lines and the urgency of your project. If you are pressed for time, you can opt for a direct flight (non-stop), in case you want to save, then opt for flights with stopovers which will generally be more economical.

*DocShipper note: The map above only highlights freight times. Therefore, the times required for upstream and downstream freight operations are not included. It is therefore important to add a certain time to have a reliable estimate of transport times.

Please find below indicative times with departures / arrivals in the City of London and other major cities of the world:

Can DocShipper UK book space on a plane the same day?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to answer, as it depends on several factors, including the availability of the airlines itself. On the other hand, if all the factors are combined, it is quite possible to make an emergency reservation for a departure on the same day. Note that in such a situation, the price will be significantly more expensive than normal ... Airlines take the opportunity to inflate their prices for the latest arrivals.

What are the main airports in the UK for handling air cargo?

Here is a list of the most popular airports in the UK, so your cargo will likely pass through one of its terminals:

• London Heathrow
• London Stansted
• London Gatwick
• Manchester Airport
• London Luton
• Edinburg Airport
• Birmingham Airport
• Bristol Airport
• Glasgow Airport

Nature of products

It is also important to consider this point since some products are difficult to transport, this is for example the case with dangerous products, liquids, chemicals, flammables ... For safety measures, it is therefore important to comply with the international standards. This is not an option since it is mandatory!

Info DocShipper: Air freight is regulated by an association called IATA (International Air Transport Association). This association has also significantly revised these standards since the attacks of September 11, 2011 in the United States.

Departure and arrival address

Classic and essential information, where should we go to get the goods, where should we send them ... It is important to clarify its points, but not only, it is also important to consider the conditions of access. Do you have a (un)loading dock where you have to climb from a 5th floor without elevator, there is a big difference in handling costs!

Packing requirements

This step is usually managed directly by your supplier, but it may not be enough! In this case, we advise you not to neglect this essential step of the logistics. Why ? Quite simply because, the packaging will condition your goods throughout the logistics process. Poorly packaged and your goods can arrive completely broken! On the other hand, having good packaging makes it possible to secure the goods and to ship serenely.

If you would like more information about our services, go to the dedicated page: Packing service

Licenses required

During customs clearance, local authorities may (depending on your goods and origin) ask you for specific documents to release the goods from customs. This step is important because your cargo may simply get stuck if you don't have the right documents.

Packing list

It is a document (usually an Excel file) that combines all of your products. The packing list can thus combine orders from several suppliers that have been consolidated into a single shipment. This document is required, you cannot ship internationally if you don't have it. The inventory thus makes it possible to display the name of the products, their quantity, their unit and total price. It also provides the name of the owner of the merchandise.

Why DocShipper UK and not another freight forwarder?

It is clear that working with a local transporter is more convenient and smarter for an importer / exporter. The exchanges, a not insignificant point, are much more fluid which makes it possible to avoid misunderstandings and unpleasant surprises on the day!

Competitive

A local freight forwarder is generally more competitive than a foreign competitor. While a foreign agent will use a partner, the local freight forwarder (like DocShipper UK) will directly manage the operations. One way to control costs, but also to guarantee the quality of services.

Flexibility

Be agile! Here is a point that very few forwarders have, whether local or foreign ... Indeed, it is a fairly rustic industry where the various market players are struggling to change processes more rigid than ever. At DocShipper, we put your satisfaction at the center of our interests, so we will bend over backwards to meet your needs. If that's not flexibility!

Dedicated service

While working with DocShipper, you will also be working with a consultant dedicated to your projects. One way to guarantee smooth follow-up, but also to make relations more human. One goal, your loyalty! If we are successful, it is because we have won our bet!