The Difference Between Air Express and Air Cargo Shipping

The Difference Between Air Express and Air Cargo Shipping

Air Express and Air Cargo are both forms of transportation that use the main means of transport as airplanes. Although both forms are commonly used today, not everyone can distinguish between them.

In this article, World Courier will share information to help you distinguish the difference between Air Express and Air Cargo.

Transported by Air Cargo

Air Cargo is the process of delivering goods from one country to another via plane, fully meeting customer requirements. For businesses that need to transport goods quickly, especially urgent items, the Air Cargo method becomes the perfect choice.

Characteristics of using Air Cargo are fast transportation speed, high level of security when goods are controlled at the airport and strictly managed during the process of entering and leaving some specific areas. In addition to air transport, there are also other modes of transport such as road, sea and rail, which are all popular means of transporting goods. The choice between these methods depends on the specific needs of the customer and the characteristics of the package.

Air Cargo cargo transportation has the outstanding advantage of fast speed, ensuring the safety of goods during transportation. However, the cost per transportation can be quite high and is suitable mainly for high-value goods that require time constraints. Priority types of goods for this method include:

• Perishable goods such as fresh food, fruits and frozen goods.
• Letters, important documents, parcels and express parcels.
• Pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

Air Express express delivery

Air Express is a method of transporting goods through international express delivery companies such as DHL , UPS, TNT, FedEx. Goods sent must be packed in cartons, using bags or foam boxes is not allowed. Due to relatively high shipping costs, Air Express is often applied to packages weighing less than 100kg.

Similarities between Air Express and Air Cargo

Below are some similarities between Air Cargo and Air Express shipping methods:

• Both are methods of transporting goods internationally via air.
• Fast shipping speed, minimizing time compared to shipping methods by sea.
• Ensuring the highest safety in cargo transportation options.
• Shipping insurance premiums are lower due to less risk compared to other methods.

Differences between Air Express and Air Cargo shipping methods

Below is an information table comparing the differences between Air Cargo and Air Express shipping methods that you can refer to:

Air Cargo	Air Express
It is a form of freight transportation by a shipping company combined with an airline.	A form of transporting goods through global express delivery companies such as DHL, TNT, UPS, FEDEX,…
Usually applies to packages weighing more than 100kg.	Usually applied to shipments weighing less than 100kg and the minimum number of kg for express delivery is 0.5 kg
Shipping costs are lower than Air Express.	Shipping costs are quite high so they are usually applied to orders weighing less than 100kg.
There is no specific Tracking Number for each package, but only a booking number for the entire shipment. Therefore, customers cannot track their order status themselves but must go through the shipping company.	There is a separate Tracking Number for each package, creating convenience in tracking shipments.
Goods sent will depend on the airline’s flight to each country. Therefore, sometimes there will be delays or load cuts.	There are cargo flights every day, so there are very few delays in orders.

Thus, the above article of World Courier has shared information to help you distinguish the difference between the two forms of shipping  Air Express and Air Cargo.

Hopefully the information in the article will help you choose the method of shipping goods that suits your needs.