Your urgently needed spare parts need to arrive in Singapore tomorrow, the new production line in Brazil is waiting for German machinery, and the customer in Australia needs the electronic components by Friday.

Air freight makes such deliveries possible – theoretically to over 220 countries worldwide. But there’s often a world of difference between “possible” and “practical”: What can be delivered overnight to the USA without problems might take two weeks to Bangladesh and not work at all to North Korea.

In this article, we’ll examine which destination countries make air freight straightforward, while also highlighting the numerous factors that can complicate air transport. In such cases, you’ll need to accept longer transit times and higher costs, or switch to alternative modes of transport.

EU Internal Market and EFTA States

Air freight runs most smoothly within the European Union. Your goods move without customs controls between all 27 EU countries as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

The European air cargo network is particularly dense. Hundreds of cargo flights and passenger aircraft with cargo capacity depart daily from German airports to all EU countries. Many connections operate directly with smaller freighters like the Boeing 737-800F or ATR 72F.

Frankfurt serves as the central hub: Even shipments on the Hamburg–Milan route often go through Frankfurt because consolidation with other cargo creates more efficient onward connections there. The short distances within Europe enable the economical use of smaller aircraft with high frequency.

The infrastructure is well-developed, and pre- and post-transport can be organized without problems.

Traditional Export Markets

USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand – these are the core customers of German air freight. All parties involved know the processes here, the customs systems function reliably, and the procedures have been established for years. A technology company exporting precision instruments to California can expect transit times of 24-48 hours (airport-to-airport).

These routes form the backbone of international air freight. Several Airbus A330F and Boeing 747-8F aircraft operate daily on the Frankfurt-New York route – pure cargo giants that can load up to 70 tons (Airbus) or even up to 140 tons (Boeing) respectively.

Additionally, passenger aircraft like the Boeing 777 carry approximately 20 tons more cargo in their belly-hold areas. This dual usage keeps costs low and ensures frequent connections.

Emerging Markets and Developing Countries

China, India, Brazil, Mexico, or Turkey attract with huge sales markets but require more patience. Customs procedures are more complicated, and some product groups need special permits. A machinery delivery to Shanghai works routinely today, but special documentation requirements or local certifications can extend lead times.

The air freight infrastructure in these countries is developing rapidly but unevenly. While modern cargo terminals in metropolises like Shanghai or Mumbai are equipped with automatic sorting systems, smaller airports in India or Latin America can often only handle cargo aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 767F.

Night flight bans in many cities additionally limit capacities – your shipment then waits until the next morning.

Countries with Restrictions

Some destination countries are subject to international sanctions or have particularly strict import regulations. States like North Korea, Iran, or certain regions in Africa and Asia may only be supplied under special conditions or sometimes not at all. The relevant restrictions are set out in the regularly updated embargo lists of the EU and United Nations.

A professional air freight forwarder automatically checks every shipment against these lists and reliably informs you about possible restrictions or prohibitions.

Regulations of individual airlines and insurers also play a role here. Some airlines don’t fly to certain countries for security reasons, others avoid individual countries due to high insurance premiums. In such cases, your cargo must be rerouted through a third country: one aircraft takes it to Dubai or Istanbul, another flies it onward from there. These detours not only increase costs but also the risk of delays or transport damage during transshipment.

Special Considerations for Island States and Remote Areas

Remote destinations like Pacific island states, Arctic regions, or smaller African countries are basically reachable but often require transshipments and longer transport routes. Costs increase accordingly, and you must expect transit times of several days to weeks. Additionally, local infrastructure limitations can slow down handling.

A common problem is small runways. Large cargo aircraft like the Boeing 747-8F need at least 3,000 meters of runway – but many island airports only offer around 1,500 meters. Your cargo must therefore be transshipped at regional hubs like Honolulu or Singapore.

From there, it continues with smaller aircraft, such as an ATR72F, which can transport only around 7 tons of cargo instead of 140 tons. These feeder flights from large to small airports drive up costs. Additionally, smaller aircraft fly less frequently, often only two or three times per week.

Product-Specific Country Restrictions

What you want to ship largely determines where your goods can be transported. Dangerous goods are subject to strict international regulations and cannot be imported into every country. Special permits are often required for shipping food, medicines, or chemicals – permits that some states don’t issue at all. For example, devices with lithium-ion batteries cannot be flown to all Pacific islands.

So-called dual-use goods – items that can be used both civilly and militarily – are also subject to special export controls. A semiconductor manufacturer must check before shipping to China or Russia whether its products are on an export control list and obtain appropriate permits.

Some goods place high demands on transport equipment and infrastructure. Pharmaceutical products require an unbroken cold chain. While special temperature-controlled containers exist for this – not all airlines or airports have the necessary equipment.

Bulky machinery, on the other hand, can only be transported with cargo aircraft like the Antonov An-124, whose nose can be opened.

Climatic and Infrastructure Limitations

Extreme weather conditions temporarily paralyze entire regions. Monsoons in South Asia, hurricanes in the Caribbean, or sandstorms in the Middle East regularly cause flight cancellations and delays. For time-critical shipments, you should plan appropriate time buffers or choose alternative routes.

Heat and altitude are the natural enemies of air freight. This is surprising at first glance! The reason lies in the different air density at various temperatures.

Warm air is thinner, so aircraft generate less lift. With less lift, less weight can be flown. At 40 degrees outside temperature, a Boeing 747F can only load 90 tons instead of 140 tons.

High-altitude airports like Mexico City or Bogotá worsen the problem because the air is already thinner there anyway.

Heat and altitude combined with short runways can make cargo flights completely impossible. Therefore, many aircraft fly to such regions at night or in winter when conditions are more favorable.

Cost Differences by Destination Region

There are enormous differences in freight costs depending on the destination. Main routes like Frankfurt-New York or Frankfurt-Hong Kong are inexpensive due to high transport volumes. Exotic destinations quickly cost three to five times more.

One kilogram to London costs 2-4 euros, while the same transport to a Pacific island can cost 15-25 euros. (The mentioned per-kilo prices are average values and can fluctuate significantly depending on current market conditions. However, they appropriately represent the order of magnitude.)

The price differences also relate to aircraft utilization. Frankfurt-New York is served by several airlines with large cargo aircraft – competition drives down prices. To a Pacific island, perhaps only one small aircraft flies once per week, which also has to carry fuel for the return flight. The weight of the additional kerosene further reduces available payload and makes each kilogram more expensive.

Documentation Requirements by Country Groups

EU shipments require minimal commercial invoices and packing lists. Exports to third countries additionally require certificates of origin, export declarations, and often consular certifications. Countries like Saudi Arabia or the UAE demand detailed goods declarations and certifications. China conducts strict controls on electronic devices and requires CCC certifications for certain product groups.

What Works in Practice

Inform yourself early about your destination country’s specific requirements. Most countries important to German exporters are well-accessible by air freight, but there are exceptions. Air freight isn’t always straightforward.

Also consider the technical capabilities on-site. Can the destination airport even handle your shipment? Does it have cooling facilities, cranes for heavy goods, secure storage areas? A modern cargo terminal processes your shipment in hours, while an overwhelmed small airport might need days.

Your freight forwarder knows current regulations and has local contacts – seek their advice. Calculate not just transport costs but also duties, taxes, and possible storage costs in case of delays.

For new markets, we recommend starting with a test shipment of non-critical goods to learn the processes. Build relationships with local partners or agents who can assist you with customs clearance and delivery.

Those who research in advance save themselves unpleasant surprises and unexpected costs later.