Why air freight is crucial for fast moving e-commerce deliveries

In recent years, e-commerce has become a lifeline for global trade, reshaping both customer behavior and business strategies.

According to statistics, e-commerce currently stands at $6.8 trillion and is expected to reach $8 trillion by 2027, accounting for 20.8 % of total retail sales. With this rapid growth, customers now expect fast global shipping, transparent tracking, and seamless cross-border experiences.

To meet these demands, various factors play a vital role, including smart warehousing, last-mile logistics, customs clearance, air freight forwarding, and many more. Among all these, air freight stands out as one of the most crucial drivers for fast e-commerce deliveries.

According to IATA, Air cargo is inherently well-suited to meet the demands of e-commerce logistics. Recent IATA data shows total air cargo demand, measured, rose by 2.2% compared to May 2024 while air cargo capacity (ACTK) increased by 2.0%, including a 2.6% rise for international flights.

In this post, we are talking more on this topic. Why air freight is important for e-commerce, its key benefits, and which one is best logistics and freight forwarding services for e-commerce deliveries? Read on to know more.

The Core Advantages of Air Freight for E-Commerce

Speed and Predictability

Air freight is well known for its speed and predictability. Stat shows that air freight typically delivers goods in 1–7 days, compared to 20–45 days by sea. This speed not only cuts lead times but also helps sellers respond quickly to fluctuating product demand.

Reliability and Lower Risk

Air cargo is less affected by port congestion, weather issues, or long ocean delays. Furthermore, airlines have predictable schedules, which reduce operational risks and provide greater control over supply chain operations.

Ideal for High-Value or Time-Sensitive Goods

Electronics, fashion, perishables, or limited-edition products all depend on fast delivery. For these goods, the benefit of speed outweighs the higher cost per kilogram.

Global Reach and Cross-Border Growth

Air freight connects online sellers to international markets faster, as compared to other modes. With quicker customs clearance and smoother transit, it supports scalable cross-border e-commerce worldwide.

Tariff Changes, U.S. Fulfillment/E-Commerce Entities & Strategic Shipping

Recent policy changes and fulfillment strategies have shifted how air freight is used.

U.S. “de minimis” Tariff Rule Changes: The United States recently ended or significantly restricted the exemption that allowed low-value imports (under US$800) to enter without duties. This means many small package direct shipments (which often used air freight) no longer avoid tariff/duty charges simply due to low value.
Fulfillment Centers & U.S. Entities: To offset tariff exposure, many global e-commerce businesses are creating U.S.-based entities and/or using fulfillment centers in the United States (or foreign trade zones, FTZs ). This strategy offers several benefits, including tariff optimization, efficient last mile delivery and enhanced customer satisfaction.
Hub-and-Redistribute Model: Instead of shipping thousands of parcels directly, some companies now import in bulk and redistribute domestically. For instance, Cainiao (Alibaba’s logistics arm) has established a network of U.S. distribution hubs to streamline cross-border shipping. These hubs allow consolidation of multiple orders into single shipments. Thus, it helps in reducing per-item costs and accelerates delivery times as well.

How Air Freight Supports Last-Mile & Cross-Border Shipping?

Air freight supports last-mile and cross-border shipping by simplifying customs and reducing delays. It also provides end-to-end tracking for reliable delivery and offers more predictable transit than sea freight to facilitate quicker deliveries.

Choosing the Right Air Freight Forwarder & Key Considerations

When selecting the best air freight forwarding company for e-commerce, online retailers should evaluate:

Transit times and reliability (routes, frequency)
Cost structure
Customs clearance service (how well the forwarder handles paperwork, duties)
Experience with cross-border e-commerce
Use of fulfillment centers or FTZs, domestic redistribution hubs

Air Freight vs Sea Freight: Cost vs Speed Tradeoffs in 2025

As of 2025, air freight remains significantly higher per kilogram than sea freight. However, when factoring in inventory carrying cost, stock-outs, speed to market, customer satisfaction, and missed sales from delays, air freight often delivers superior ROI for fast-moving e-commerce goods.

Conclusion

In conclusion, air freight is crucial for fast-moving e-commerce deliveries. If you are looking for the fastest air freight forwarding services for e-commerce or the best air freight forwarding company for e-commerce, Transys Global Forwarding has got you covered. We provide international air freight solutions for e-commerce deliveries and a reliable air freight forwarding service for online retailers.

Transys Global Forwarding supports global air freight forwarding for e-commerce sellers and works with top air freight companies for online businesses. Our services include air freight services for cross-border e-commerce and affordable air freight forwarding for small e-commerce exporters. We also offer international shipping solutions for e-commerce businesses and air freight forwarding with customs clearance for e-commerce.

With the best logistics and freight forwarding services for e-commerce deliveries, TGF makes shipping simple, fast, and hassle-free for online retailers. Visit our website to learn more about air freight forwarding services.