Air transportation

Air cargo transportation

Unitex specializes in air cargo transportation and full support of imports to Ukraine from Europe, China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, the USA and Turkey. We deliver grain, oil, wood and wood products, furniture, windows, feed, confectionery and frozen berries, taking into account the requirements for storage, labeling and customs clearance. At the client’s initiative, we provide cargo insurance, GPS monitoring and SLA for the time of delivery.

Air cargo transportation: main advantages

• Speed: from the point of departure to the warehouse in Ukraine – 1-7 days (depending on the route and type of flight).
• Temperature and security control: the ability to organize a cold chain, priority processing and certification for food products.
• Planning accuracy: regular and charter flights with predicted arrival times, which minimizes production downtime.
• Tracking and documentation: digital tracking, AWB, acceptance certificate and cargo status reports along the route.
• Flexibility: consolidation for small batches, charter for urgent or non-standard cargo.

International air transportation: stages of work

• Initial analysis: we determine the cargo category, volume, weight and requirements according to IATA/ICAO (dangerous goods, temperature control).
• Route planning and booking: choosing between a regular flight and a charter flight, taking into account urgency and cost.
• Document preparation: AWB, invoice, packing list, certificates of origin, phytosanitary/veterinary certificates for food cargo.
• Pickup and preparation: palletizing, ULD fixation, labeling, fumigation or conditioning for temperature regimes.
• Transit monitoring: temperature jump control, location tracking, correction in case of delays.
• Customs clearance and delivery to the warehouse: expedited customs clearance, unloading instructions and acceptance certificate.

International air transportation: Unitex work schedule

• Economic feasibility assessment: analysis of price per kg vs. cost of downtime; example — deliver components in 48 hours cheaper than downtime fines.
• Preparation of a package of documents for INCOTERMS and requirements of the importing country.
• Organization of logistics in the sender’s country: work with local agents for fast pickup and export.
• Packaging and conditioning: special containers, temperature control, sealing and document management.
• Insurance: we develop individual policies for each delivery, including coverage for damage and loss.
• Reporting and after-sales support: we provide documents for accounting and are responsible for claim procedures.

Air transportation in Ukraine: comparison with alternatives

A brief criterion for choosing a delivery channel based on time, cost, and risk.

Types of air transportation tariffs

Air transportation: table of route examples

Air cargo transportation: Unitex mini cases

Case 1: Delivery of frozen berries from Vietnam. Delivery time 4 days, temperature controlled, 0% loss, customer received the goods in time for the season.

Details: comprehensive packaging, cold chain control, compliance certificate support. The solution included pre-transit freezing, the use of isothermal containers, and GPS monitoring — reduced the risk of spoilage and saved up to 12% of potential losses. KPI: 100% delivered in an acceptable temperature regime, 0% complaints.

Case 2: Emergency delivery of components from Korea for a furniture factory. Delivered in 48 hours, avoiding production downtime.

Details: organized priority booking, expedited customs clearance, insurance of storage risks. Result: the plant restored 100% production capacity, the client avoided fines and delays in the supply chain.

International air transportation: selection criteria

• Urgency: if delivery is required within 7 days, air freight is preferred.
• Cost vs. volume: for volumes over 10-20 tons, it is worth comparing with sea.
• Product category: food, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods – additional permits and packaging are required.
• Flight availability: regular flights reduce the risk of booking delays.
• Insurance and customs acceleration: to minimize financial risks and waiting times.

Pre-departure checklist for air transportation in Ukraine

• Check documents: invoice, packing list, certificates.
• Determine weight and volume for tariff calculation; calculate volumetric weight.
• Ensure packaging in accordance with IATA DGR, ULD marking and palletizing.
• Arrange professional cargo insurance with a clear list of risks.
• Agree customs requirements and rates, check restrictions on import of goods.
• Prepare certificates for food/plant products (phytosanitary, veterinary).
• Assign verification of logistics plan and contingency scenarios (delays, charter).

Air transportation Ukraine: benefits of cooperation with Unitex

• Full turnkey logistics support – we select the optimal tariff, coordinate the entire process and are responsible for delivery.
• Experience in importing specific groups of goods: grains, oil, wood, furniture, frozen berries – we know the packaging and certification standards.
• Cargo insurance and risk management – individual policies, support in case of claims.
• Customs clearance and acceleration of procedures – interaction with customs authorities to minimize time at the arrival warehouse.
• Cost optimization: we use consolidation, combined routes and negotiations with air carriers to reduce costs.
• Reporting and KPI: we provide detailed reports on delivery, cargo status and time in transit.

Comparison: air cargo vs. other options

• Time: air >> rail > road >> sea.
• Cost: air is the highest rate, but justified for urgent and valuable cargo.
• Reliability: high when using certified cold chains and priority shipments.

FAQ — Frequently asked questions about air transportation

• Q: How long does international air transportation take? From 1 to 7 days depending on the departure point, the availability of a direct flight and customs clearance. During peak booking times (season, holidays), we recommend planning 3–5 days before departure.

• Q: What documents are required to import goods into Ukraine? Invoice, packing list, AWB, certificates of conformity by type of goods, customs declarations. For food products – phytosanitary or veterinary certificates.

• Q: Is insurance required for air transportation? Insurance is recommended for all import operations; Unitex offers policies covering loss, damage and delay. We help you choose the amount of coverage and deductible.

• Q: What types of air transportation tariffs are there? Actual weight tariff, chargeable weight tariff, priority, charter, consolidation. After analyzing the cargo, we select the best option.

• Q: Can frozen products be transported by air? Yes. Necessary conditions: controlled temperature, special packaging, certificates, coordination with the air carrier and customs. Unitex provides a complete cold chain.

• Q: How does Unitex help with customs clearance? We prepare a package of documents, submit declarations, interact with customs in an expedited manner and organize delivery to the client’s warehouse with minimal downtime.

For detailed information on packaging standards and certificates, see our directory: Unitex — Directory.

You need to urgently organize international air transportation or get a cost estimate — leave a request on the website, and our manager will select the optimal route and tariff. We work with the main import destinations to Ukraine: Europe, China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, USA, Turkey.