Air Freight from China to Australia: Costs, Transit Times & How It Works
Air Freight from China to Australia
$10.99/kg door to door. Customs handled. Here’s exactly how it works.
If you’re sourcing product from China and need it in Australia in days rather than weeks, air freight is the answer. But the pricing catches a lot of first-time importers off guard — because air freight isn’t charged on the number on your bathroom scales.
Here’s a plain-English breakdown of what it costs, how long it takes, and what actually happens to your goods along the way.
The Basics at a Glance
How Air Freight Is Actually Priced
This is the part that surprises people. Airlines charge based on volumetric weight (sometimes called dimensional or chargeable weight) — not just actual weight. Space on an aircraft is finite, so a large box of lightweight goods costs the airline just as much room as a small heavy one.
You are charged on whichever is higher — the actual weight or the volumetric weight. For dense goods (hardware, tools, electronics) actual weight usually wins. For bulky, light goods (packaging, textiles, foam products, homewares) volumetric weight almost always does.
A Worked Example
| Shipment | Dimensions | Actual Weight | Volumetric | Charged On |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box of tools | 40 × 30 × 30 cm | 18 kg | 6 kg | 18 kg (actual) |
| Box of cushions | 60 × 50 × 50 cm | 8 kg | 25 kg | 25 kg (volumetric) |
The Journey: Warehouse to Your Door
How Your Goods Get Delivered in Australia
Delivered by Australia Post as standard.
Nationwide coverage, tracked, and delivered to residential or business addresses — ideal for sample orders and small consignments.
Delivered by freight carrier, including our own fleet in South East Queensland.
Tail-lift available for bulky consignments where the delivery site has no loading dock.
Air Freight vs Sea Freight: Which Should You Use?
| Factor | Air Freight | Sea Freight |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | $10.99/kg door to door | From $2/kg |
| Transit time | 5–10 days door to door | Several weeks |
| Best for | Samples, urgent restocks, high-value goods, seasonal launches | Bulk orders, heavy goods, planned inventory |
| Weight sensitivity | Volumetric weight matters a lot | Volume (CBM) matters more than weight |
Before You Request a Quote
✅ Get the carton dimensions from your supplier — not just the weight
✅ Confirm the total number of cartons and whether they’re palletised
✅ Know what the goods are — some categories have import restrictions or additional requirements
✅ Check your supplier can ship to our China warehouse (most can — it’s a domestic delivery)
✅ Tell us your Australian delivery address and whether it’s residential or commercial
“The importers who never get surprised by their freight bill are the ones who ask their supplier for carton dimensions before they place the order.”
From a Brisbane Retail Importer
“We used air freight for our first sample order to test the product before committing to a container. Arrived in a week, customs handled, no drama.”
Importing from China?
Send us your carton dimensions and weights and we’ll give you a proper quote — volumetric weight calculated upfront, no surprises.
Air freight $10.99/kg door to door. Test orders welcome. Clearance included.
Get a Quote77 Freight Transport — Underwood QLD 4119 | Serving Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay to Gympie