Car Shipping by Air Freight
Express international vehicle transport for luxury, exotic, and time-critical shipments. Your car delivered anywhere in the world in 1-5 days.
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When Only the Fastest Will Do
Air freight is the premium choice for shipping vehicles internationally. Whether you're transporting a multi-million dollar supercar to a motor show, relocating a cherished classic, or need your daily driver at your new home within days rather than months, our air freight service delivers unmatched speed and security.
Who Ships Cars by Air?
Air freight vehicle transport serves a specific market where speed, security, or the nature of the vehicle justifies the premium cost.
Luxury & Supercar Owners
Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces, and other high-value vehicles where maximum protection and minimal transit time are essential. Vehicles worth $200K+ are routinely shipped by air.
Classic & Vintage Cars
Irreplaceable classic and vintage vehicles heading to concours events, auctions, or new owners. Air freight minimises exposure to salt air, humidity, and handling damage.
Motor Shows & Events
Manufacturers, dealers, and collectors shipping vehicles to international auto shows, racing events, and exhibitions with strict arrival deadlines.
Urgent Relocations
Corporate executives and individuals who need their personal vehicle immediately upon arriving in a new country, rather than waiting 6-8 weeks for ocean freight.
Dealers & Collectors
Car dealers, auction houses, and private collectors moving high-value inventory internationally where vehicles are sold or exhibited on tight timelines.
Prototype & Concept Vehicles
Manufacturers shipping pre-production, prototype, or concept vehicles that require absolute confidentiality and the highest level of care during transit.
How Air Freight Car Shipping Works
From initial enquiry to doorstep delivery, the air freight process is designed for precision and care at every stage.
Consultation & Quotation
We assess your vehicle's dimensions, weight, value, and destination to recommend the optimal aircraft type and routing. You receive a detailed quotation covering collection, palletising, air freight, customs, and delivery. Typical turnaround for quotes is 24-48 hours.
Vehicle Collection & Preparation
Your vehicle is collected from your address using an enclosed, air-ride transporter for maximum protection during ground transit. The vehicle is inspected and photographed to document its pre-flight condition. Fuel is drained to the minimum permitted level, the battery may be disconnected, and all fluids are checked.
Palletising & Securing
At the cargo terminal, your vehicle is carefully loaded onto a specialised air freight pallet or into a ULD (Unit Load Device). It is secured using over-the-tire straps, wheel chocks, and corner protectors. Protective covers are applied to prevent scratches and contact damage. The pallet is weighed and measured for the air waybill.
Export Customs & Loading
All export documentation is processed including the air waybill, commercial invoice, and export declaration. The secured pallet is loaded into the aircraft's main deck (for larger vehicles) or lower cargo hold (for smaller vehicles and motorcycles) using high-loader equipment.
Air Transit
Your vehicle travels in the climate-controlled, pressurised cargo hold of a commercial freighter or passenger aircraft. Transit times range from a few hours for regional flights to 1-5 days for intercontinental routes including any hub connections. Full tracking is provided throughout.
Destination Customs & Delivery
Upon arrival, your vehicle clears import customs with all duties and taxes paid. It is unloaded from the pallet, inspected against the pre-flight condition report, and delivered to your door via enclosed transporter. You sign off on delivery condition, completing the shipment.
Aircraft Types Used for Vehicle Shipping
The aircraft used depends on your vehicle's size, weight, and the route. Here are the most common options.
Passenger Aircraft (Belly Cargo)
Standard passenger aircraft like Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 carry cargo in lower deck holds. Suitable for motorcycles and smaller vehicles that fit through lower deck cargo doors.
- Door: ~1.5m x 1.7m
- Max: ~2,000 kg per piece
- Most affordable option
Freighter Aircraft (Main Deck)
Dedicated cargo aircraft like Boeing 747F, 777F, and Airbus A300F with nose-loading or side cargo doors. The standard choice for most cars, SUVs, and multiple vehicle shipments.
- Door: 3.0m+ x 3.0m+
- Max: 4,500+ kg per piece
- Standard car air freight
Charter Aircraft
Dedicated charter flights using Antonov An-124, Boeing 747F, or similar heavy-lift aircraft. For oversized vehicles, multiple car shipments, or time-critical deliveries to airports with limited scheduled cargo services.
- Accommodates any vehicle
- Up to 150+ tonnes capacity
- Premium pricing
Air Freight Cost Breakdown
Air freight costs are calculated primarily by chargeable weight (the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight). Here's what to expect for different vehicle types.
| Vehicle Type | Typical Weight | Cost Range | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | 200-350 kg | $2,000-$5,000 | 3-7 days |
| Compact Car | 1,000-1,400 kg | $5,000-$10,000 | 3-7 days |
| Standard Sedan | 1,400-1,800 kg | $8,000-$15,000 | 3-7 days |
| Sports Car / Supercar | 1,400-2,000 kg | $10,000-$25,000 | 3-7 days |
| SUV / Large Vehicle | 2,000-2,800 kg | $12,000-$25,000 | 5-10 days |
| Hypercar / Exotic | 1,500-2,200 kg | $20,000-$40,000+ | 3-7 days |
What's Included in the Price
Typically Included
- Air freight charges (airport to airport)
- Palletising and securing at origin
- Air waybill and documentation
- Basic cargo insurance
- Unloading and de-palletising at destination
Additional Costs
- Door collection via enclosed transporter
- Comprehensive all-risk insurance
- Export and import customs brokerage
- Import duties and taxes at destination
- Door delivery at destination
- Fuel surcharges (variable)
Transferring funds internationally for your shipment? Save on exchange rates with our recommended currency transfer service.
Air Freight vs Ocean Freight: When to Choose Air
Choose Air Freight When
- Vehicle value exceeds $100,000 and you want maximum security
- You need the car within 1-2 weeks (not 2-3 months)
- Shipping to a motor show, auction, or timed event
- The vehicle is irreplaceable (one-of-a-kind classic, prototype)
- Corporate relocation with immediate vehicle need
- Destination has limited or infrequent ocean shipping services
- You want enclosed, climate-controlled transport throughout
Choose Ocean Freight When
- Budget is the primary concern
- You can wait 4-8 weeks for delivery
- Shipping a standard daily-use vehicle
- Moving household goods at the same time (share a container)
- Shipping a non-running or project vehicle
- The vehicle is too large or heavy for commercial aircraft
- You're also shipping a second car or motorcycles
Electric Vehicle Air Freight Restrictions
Due to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), lithium-ion batteries are classified as Class 9 hazardous materials. This significantly impacts air freight options for electric and hybrid vehicles:
- Fully electric vehicles (BEV): Most commercial cargo airlines will NOT accept these due to battery size and fire risk regulations.
- Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV): Accepted on a case-by-case basis. Additional documentation and battery state-of-charge requirements apply.
- Mild hybrid vehicles (MHEV): Generally accepted with standard procedures as battery packs are significantly smaller.
- E-bikes and e-motorcycles: Typically require battery removal and separate, compliant packaging for the battery.
For electric vehicles, we recommend container shipping as the most reliable alternative. Ocean carriers have established procedures for EV transport that comply with IMDG regulations.
Insurance for Air Freight Vehicles
Given the high value of vehicles typically shipped by air, comprehensive insurance is not optional - it's essential.
All-Risk Air Cargo Insurance
Covers the full declared value of your vehicle against all risks during collection, palletising, air transit, customs storage, and final delivery. Includes accidental damage, theft, fire, and total loss.
Typical premium: 2-4% of declared vehicle value
White-Glove Coverage
Enhanced coverage for supercars and exotics that includes cosmetic damage (scratches, dents, chips), mechanical damage from handling, and agreed-value payout rather than market-value assessment.
Typical premium: 3-5% of declared vehicle value
Learn more about our marine and air transit insurance options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car by air freight?
Air freight car shipping typically costs between $5,000 and $40,000+ depending on the vehicle's weight, dimensions, origin, destination, and urgency. Standard sedans cost $5,000-$15,000, while supercars and oversized vehicles can exceed $20,000-$40,000. Costs are primarily calculated by chargeable weight (the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight).
How long does air freight car shipping take door-to-door?
The air transit itself takes 1-5 days. However, the total door-to-door timeline including vehicle collection, preparation, palletising, customs clearance at both ends, and final delivery is typically 7-14 days. For urgent shipments, expedited 5-7 day door-to-door service may be available on certain routes.
What aircraft are used to ship cars?
Most cars are shipped on freighter aircraft like the Boeing 747F or 777F, which have large main-deck cargo doors. Motorcycles and smaller items may travel as belly cargo on passenger aircraft. For oversized vehicles or multi-car shipments, charter aircraft like the Antonov An-124 can be arranged.
Is air freight safer than ocean shipping?
Both methods are safe with proper handling. Air freight offers advantages for high-value vehicles: shorter transit means less environmental exposure, vehicles are in climate-controlled cargo holds, and there are fewer handling touchpoints. The key difference is time - less time in transit means less opportunity for incidents.
Can I ship an electric vehicle by air?
Fully electric vehicles are generally NOT accepted by commercial cargo airlines due to IATA dangerous goods regulations for large lithium-ion batteries. Hybrid vehicles may be accepted case-by-case. For EVs, we recommend container shipping as the most reliable option.
What preparation is needed for air freight?
Similar to ocean shipping: fuel must be drained to minimum level, battery may need disconnecting, all personal items removed, alarms deactivated. Additionally, the vehicle must be clean for customs inspection and any aftermarket accessories that could be damaged during palletising should be removed.
How is my car secured during the flight?
Your vehicle is loaded onto a specialised air freight pallet and secured using over-the-tire straps, wheel chocks, and corner protectors. Protective covers prevent contact damage. The pallet is then locked into the aircraft's cargo loading system, which prevents any movement during flight.
Can I ship multiple cars by air at once?
Yes. Multiple vehicles can be shipped on the same flight, particularly using freighter aircraft or charter flights. This can be more cost-effective per vehicle. We regularly arrange multi-car shipments for dealers, collectors, and event organisers.
