Cargo grouped on the same flight
Your cargo is grouped with other shipments and the freight cost is shared among them. Charged per chargeable kilo.
Services · 01 / Air freight
Air freight
Consolidated and courier for critical spare parts, perishables and high-value cargo, where stopping the line costs more than the freight.
We quote per operation, not from a generic price list: freight, origin charges, customs and last mile are shown separately.
Modes
Two ways to move your cargo by air.
Small, urgent shipments
For samples, documents and light spare parts when every day counts. Tell us the weight and dimensions when you request your quote and we will tell you whether courier or consolidated is better.
Chargeable weight
You are charged the greater: actual weight or volumetric weight.
On an aircraft, space limits as much as weight does. That is why freight is calculated on chargeable weight: the greater of the cargo’s actual weight and its volumetric weight, which is obtained from the dimensions of the packages.
Signals that change the recommendation
- Very bulky cargo for its weight: by air you will pay by volume, and it is worth evaluating ocean freight.
- Non-stackable cargo: it takes up the full vertical space and can affect the consolidated rate.
When it makes sense
When waiting costs more than the freight.
Air freight costs more per kilo than ocean. It makes sense when the cost of waiting, of stopping an operation or of losing the value of the cargo exceeds that difference. If you are not sure, we compare both options in the quote.
- Critical spare parts for the mine site or medical equipment, where a stoppage costs more than any freight.
- Perishables, where time and temperature are part of the cargo’s value.
- High-value electronics, where the risk of theft and obsolescence defines the route.
Special cargo by air
Cargo that requires more documentation.
Perishables
- Boarding priority and in-transit connection
- Temperature logging in transit
- Health and origin certificates
Lithium batteries
- UN 3480 and UN 3481 are processed as dangerous goods
- We need the UN number and the safety data sheet before quoting
- Booking with carriers that accept them
Dangerous goods
- IATA classes with UN number, safety data sheet, declaration and segregation
- Booking with carriers that actually accept the class
- Without a valid MSDS it is not possible to quote or book space
Airport coverage
Where we receive your cargo.
At origin, we coordinate with our international network the departure airport that best suits your supplier and your deadline.
Chile DUCIS Logistics Chile SpA
- Santiago · Arturo Merino Benítez AirportSCL
Peru DUCIS Logistics Perú SAC
- Lima · Jorge Chávez AirportLIM
How it works
From the factory to your warehouse.
The first steps depend on the Incoterm you agreed with your supplier. Under FCA, the cargo leaves from the agreed airport or terminal; under EXW, we pick it up at the plant.
You can follow your cargo on the MyDucis portal.
- Pickup or receipt at originWe coordinate the date, the truck and the type of cargo with our agent at origin; under FCA, receipt takes place at the agreed airport or terminal.
- Export clearance at originOur agent takes care of the customs paperwork in the country of departure.
- Consolidation of the cargoIf there is more than one supplier, the cargo is brought together at an origin warehouse before shipping.
- Air freightAt the rate and route you approve, with the alternatives and their transit times in view.
- Import clearance at destinationCustoms, local charges and transport to your warehouse, with the detail of each charge before it is incurred.
Incoterms for air freight
Four terms that do apply by air.
FOB, FAS, CFR and CIF are sea-only: for air cargo the correct shipping term is FCA. DUCIS recommends buying EXW or FCA to keep visibility of every cost.
| Term | What your supplier covers | Arranges the main freight |
|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Makes the goods available at their premises. From there, transport and export are at your cost. | You |
| FCA Free Carrier | Delivers the cargo, already cleared for export, to the carrier or at the agreed place, for example the airport cargo terminal. | You |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Arranges transport to the agreed destination, without insurance. | Your supplier |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid To | Arranges transport and insurance to the agreed destination. | Your supplier |
Asking for “air FOB” is a frequent mistake that causes disputes with the supplier. The full difference is explained in the guide.
See how to buyNext step
Tell us what you need to move by air.
With these details our Pricing team can reply within the business day. If information is missing, we write to you before quoting instead of giving you a number that changes later.