Air Freight

International air freight for time-sensitive cargo, managed by people who take ownership of your shipment and keep you informed from booking to delivery.

Air freight when timing matters

Air freight is usually chosen because something has to arrive by a fixed date: a production line waiting for parts, a product launch or an urgent customer order. When it matters that much, you need to know which flight your cargo is on, when it will land and what happens if plans change.

We plan the routing, book the space, prepare the paperwork and stay with the shipment from collection to delivery, so you are not left chasing for answers.

Our air freight services

Collection, export documentation, airline booking and departure, coordinated so your cargo makes the right flight with the paperwork the destination needs.
Arrival, Customs clearance and onward delivery of air cargo, coordinated so your goods reach your premises without delay after landing.

Air or ocean?

The right choice depends on your deadline, budget, volume and the type of goods. As a general guide:

Air freightOcean freight
Best forUrgent, high-value or smaller shipmentsLarger volumes and goods that are not time-critical
CostHigher cost per kilo, charged on actual or volumetric weight, whichever is greaterLower cost per unit when volumes are larger
Transit timeDays rather than weeks on most routesWeeks on most long-haul routes
HandlingStrict packing, labelling and security screening, with size limits set by the aircraftContainers and specialist equipment take larger and heavier items

Where the deadline is tight but the shipment is large, ask us to compare both options. We set out the cost and timing of each so you can decide.

What we handle

How it works

Tell us what you are shipping.

The goods, the number of pieces with weights and dimensions, where they are going from and to, and when they will be ready.

We set out your options.

Routing, flight options, cost and expected transit time, with any risks explained plainly.

We book and prepare the documents.

Space with the airline, the air waybill and the paperwork needed at each end.

We manage the shipment.

You get updates as the cargo moves. If a flight is delayed or your cargo is offloaded, we tell you and set out the alternatives.

We complete the delivery.

Customs clearance and final delivery, coordinated by the same team.

Why ship with Seaboard Freight

Experienced people, senior involvement

You deal with people who know international shipping, and senior staff stay involved. You are a customer, not an account number.

Updates before you chase

We manage your shipment actively and keep you informed, so you are not left calling to find out where your cargo is.

Strong carrier and partner relationships

Our relationships with airlines and partners across major trade lanes give you more options on space, routing and timing.

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Straight answers

We tell you the cost, the timing and the risks as they are, including when the news is not what you want to hear.

Options when plans change

Flight cancellations, capacity shortages and offloads happen. When they affect your cargo, we look for alternatives and explain the trade-offs so you can decide.

One team across every mode

Ocean, air, road, Customs and project cargo are coordinated by one accountable team, so you do not have to manage several providers.

Where we ship

We focus on trade between the UK and Europe, the Middle East and GCC, Pakistan and South Asia, as well as wider international air import and export movements.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use air freight instead of ocean freight?
When the arrival date matters more than the freight cost, typically for urgent, high-value or smaller shipments. For larger volumes that are not time-critical, ocean freight is usually more economical. We can compare both against your deadline.
It depends on the route, flight availability and connections. Flight time is only part of the journey, so also allow time for collection, security screening, Customs clearance and final delivery. We give you an expected transit time with every quote.
On chargeable weight, which is the actual weight or the volumetric weight calculated from the dimensions, whichever is greater. Large, light shipments can cost more than their actual weight suggests, so accurate dimensions help us quote correctly.
A description of the goods, the number of pieces with the weight and dimensions of each, the collection and delivery addresses, the date the cargo will be ready and the agreed Incoterms, if known. Tell us if the goods are hazardous, fragile or temperature-sensitive.
We tell you as soon as we know, explain the options, such as another flight, another routing or another mode, and agree the next step with you.

Planning an air freight
shipment?

Send us the details of your cargo, route and deadline, and our team will come back to you with options.

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