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When global importers look to ship goods efficiently from China, choosing the right air freight forwarder is essential to reduce transit times, ensure reliable customs clearance, and maintain smooth supply chains. This article lists the top 10 air freight forwarders operating in China that specialize in fast, dependable international air cargo services. We highlight their strengths in handling door-to-door deliveries, consolidation, customs brokerage1, and express shipping to key destinations such as the USA, Europe, and Australia.
Air freight from China is highly competitive but can be complex due to customs regulations, multiple transport modes, and consolidation needs. The right forwarder:
- Cuts transit times through optimized routing and cargo handling.
- Offers door-to-door services minimizing coordination efforts.
- Provides customs brokerage expertise to avoid clearance delays.
- Enables cargo consolidation, reducing overall freight costs.
- Supports real-time shipment tracking2 for supply chain visibility.
As global demand for faster shipments grows, importers rely on forwarders proficient in China air cargo logistics to stay competitive.
| Rank | Forwarder Name | Key Strengths | Coverage Regions | Special Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shenzhen King-Hor Supply Chain Co., Ltd | Fast door-to-door, consolidation, customs brokerage | China to US, Canada, Europe, Australia | Express shipping, multi-items consolidation, warehousing |
| 2 | Sinotrans Limited | Extensive global network, integrated services | Worldwide | Comprehensive customs and compliance |
| 3 | Kerry Logistics | Strong end-to-end supply chain solutions | Asia-Pacific, global | Warehouse and distribution services |
| 4 | DHL Global Forwarding | Robust global presence, express freight | Global | Priority handling and express delivery |
| 5 | FedEx Logistics | Reliable express air freight, fast transit | Americas, Asia, Europe | Time-definite services |
| 6 | Kuehne + Nagel | Industry leader in global freight forwarding | Global | Integrated IT platform |
| 7 | SF Express | Chinese domestic leader expanding international air freight | China, Asia, Americas | Express and consolidation services |
| 8 | UPS Supply Chain Solutions | Strong US-China trade expertise | Global | Customs brokerage and warehousing |
| 9 | Sinokerry Logistics | Customized air freight solutions | Asia-Pacific, Europe | Multi-modal integration |
| 10 | CJ Logistics | Emerging global forwarder with strong China base | Asia, Europe | Supply chain consulting |
With dedicated warehouses in China, USA, and Hong Kong, King-Hor offers fast door-to-door air freight from China to primarily US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. They specialize in multi-item consolidation helping reduce freight costs while maintaining speed. Their customs brokerage expertise minimizes delays, an essential factor in tight supply chains. Known for tailored solutions and a strong customer service approach.
Sinotrans is a top state-owned enterprise in China, boasting a vast international forwarding network and integrated logistics services. They excel in managing large volumes and complex customs procedures across all continents. Their capability extends to express, chartered flights, and specialized cargo handling. Importers with bulk or specialized shipments benefit from their experience and scale.
Kerry provides end-to-end air freight services with warehousing and distribution in key Asia-Pacific hubs. Their combination of logistics, data systems, and freight forwarding offers comprehensive supply chain control from China outward. Kerry supports high-value or perishable goods with reliable expedited transit times.
DHL’s global network ensures priority air freight delivery worldwide from China with strong customs brokerage and express options. Their international reach and high service standards make them preferred for urgent deliveries and sensitive cargo, along with consolidated shipments.
Global logistics leader FedEx offers time-definite air freight from China, widely used for critical, high-value shipments. Their service is backed by reliable tracking and expert customs clearance to minimize delays in multimodal routes.
Ranked as one of the largest global freight forwarders, Kuehne + Nagel brings advanced freight IT solutions and deep industry knowledge to China air freight forwarding. Their global reach enables end-to-end solutions supporting complex import operations.
SF Express is rapidly growing for international air express services, leveraging their strong domestic China logistics to provide reliable and fast air freight connections internationally, particularly in Asia-America corridors. They offer express, consolidation, and last-mile delivery.
UPS has a solid presence in US-China freight forwarding with integrated customs brokerage and warehousing. Their supply chain solutions include door-to-door delivery, expedited air freight, and visibility tools helping importers optimize inventory flow.
Sinokerry excels in custom air freight services from China with focus on multi-modal logistics and tailored consolidation. Their solutions suit businesses needing flexible handling and a combination of air and ocean freight.
CJ Logistics is expanding air freight operations and offers strong China base support backed by technology-driven supply chain consulting. They emphasize improving delivery speed and cost efficiency for importers.
| Forwarder | Transit Speed | Cost Competitiveness | Service Flexibility | Customs Brokerage | Coverage Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen King-Hor | Very Fast | Moderate | High (consolidations etc.) | Expert | China to US, Europe, Australia |
| Sinotrans | Moderate to Fast | Moderate | Medium | Expert | Global |
| Kerry Logistics | Moderately Fast | Moderate | High (warehouse integration) | Skilled | Asia-Pacific, global |
| DHL Global Forwarding | Very Fast | High | High (express focus) | Expert | Global |
| FedEx Logistics | Fastest (express) | High | Medium | Skilled | International |
| Kuehne + Nagel | Fast | Moderate | High (IT support) | Expert | Global |
| SF Express | Fast | Low to Moderate | Medium | Skilled | China – Americas |
| UPS Supply Chain Solutions | Fast | Moderate | High | Expert | Global |
| Sinokerry Logistics | Moderate | Moderate | High | Skilled | Asia-Pacific |
| CJ Logistics | Moderate | Moderate | Medium | Skilled | Asia, Europe |
- For fast door-to-door shipments with consolidation, Shenzhen King-Hor excels.
- Express shipments with guaranteed transit times might prefer FedEx or DHL.
- For integrated warehouse and supply chain management from Asia, Kerry and UPS offer comprehensive solutions.
- Large or complex shipments benefit from global giants like Sinotrans and Kuehne + Nagel.
- Growing importers looking for flexible, cost-sensitive options should consider SF Express or Sinokerry.
Selecting the right forwarder should be based on shipment volume, speed priority, consolidation needs, and customs complexity. Partnering with a China-based expert with robust global connections ensures your import processes are streamlined and reliable.
Who is the largest air freight forwarder in the world?
The largest global air freight forwarders include Kuehne + Nagel (Switzerland), DHL Supply Chain & Global Forwarding (Germany), DSV (Denmark), and DB Schenker (Germany). These companies have extensive worldwide networks and handle massive cargo volumes.
What is the top 5 global logistics companies?
The top global logistics service providers include FedEx, DHL, XPO Logistics, Nippon Express, and UPS. These companies offer comprehensive supply chain solutions and maintain significant market presence worldwide.
This overview provides global importers with a clear, data-driven guide to the top air freight forwarders from China, enabling faster and more reliable shipments to international markets.
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Customs brokerage: Reading this article helps you understand the processes and expertise required to efficiently handle customs clearance, avoiding delays and compliance issues in international shipping. ↩ ↩
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Real-time shipment tracking: This resource explains how advanced tracking systems provide end-to-end visibility of shipments, enhancing supply chain management and responsiveness. ↩ ↩
