Speed and security are important advantages of air transportation. Air Freight, abbreviated A/F or AFR in this article, is a term frequently used when discussing the cost. This guide explains the concept and pricing considerations.
What does A/F or AFR mean here?
In this logistics context, A/F or AFR refers to air freight charges: the amount paid to transport a shipment by aircraft.
Rates are usually quoted per unit of chargeable weight, so a larger chargeable quantity produces a higher total. The article also discusses related service fees alongside the main air freight charge.
How air freight is calculated
Air freight compares actual weight with the shipment's volumetric equivalent. Dense goods are charged on actual weight, while bulky, lightweight goods may be charged on volumetric weight. The basic air freight service calculation is:
Rate per kilogram × Chargeable weight
High-value goods may attract value-related rates. The calculated amount is also subject to the carrier's minimum charge.
The source refers to airline tariff structures, IATA, and The Air Cargo Tariff (TACT) as references for rate rules. Its use of “sea transport” in this air freight paragraph is a source wording error.
Read more: Nguyen Logistics customs services
General cargo rates
General cargo rates apply to ordinary shipments between airports where no special commodity rate applies. They provide a basis for pricing goods without a dedicated rate category.
The total depends on the chargeable quantity. The article distinguishes:
Shipments below 45 kg: the normal general cargo rate, GCR-N. The source also conflates this with a minimum charge, which requires review.
Shipments above 45 kg: quantity general cargo rates, GCR-Q, with lower unit rates at higher weight breaks. The examples given are:
- 45–100 kg
- 100–250 kg
- 250–500 kg
- 500–1,000 kg
- 1,000–2,000 kg and above
Minimum charge
The minimum charge, shown as M, is the lowest amount the carrier charges for a shipment. It accounts for fixed shipment costs, so the payable amount does not fall below that minimum.
The source also discusses minimum rates in connection with particular commodities and routes.
Eight surcharge categories
In addition to the main air freight rate, the article lists eight related charges:
- Fuel surcharge: assessed on chargeable weight.
- Security or war risk surcharge: assessed on chargeable weight in the description given.
- Air waybill fee: assessed per waybill.
- Entry summary, advance manifest, or electronic data processing fee: assessed by the number of waybills.
- Screening fee: assessed on gross weight.
- Terminal handling charge: airport cargo handling, assessed on gross weight in the source.
- Delivery order fee: assessed per waybill.
- Handling charge: assessed by the number of waybills.
Rates and surcharges vary by product and airline. Contact Nguyen Logistics for a detailed air freight quotation for your shipment.