Air freight from Xi'an, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai to Iran, cleared at Tehran IKA and delivered inland. Rates follow the current week's space; DDP on request.
Three things decide whether a shipment flies: value per kilogram, the transit time the buyer will accept, and whether the lot can be kept under a few hundred kilograms. Electronics, precision instruments, samples, exhibition material and urgent spare parts usually justify air. Low-value, bulky or heavy cargo does not — the airfreight bill often exceeds the value of the goods.
Put the three modes side by side: FCL rail from Xi'an to Tehran runs 18–35 days, ocean is about 25–35 days door to door, and air is 3–7 days airport to airport, 7–14 days door to door. The time you buy back is what the air premium pays for.
We use four departure points and pick by cargo origin and the space available on the current week's flights:
| Airport | Typical connection | Frequency | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xi'an Xianyang (XIY) | Urumqi / Dubai / Istanbul | Daily, weekend space is tight | Central and western China cargo, full pallets |
| Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) | Dubai / Doha / Istanbul | Densest schedule | South China electronics and parts |
| Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX) | Dubai / Doha | Daily | Consumer electronics, samples |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | Dubai / Doha / Istanbul | Frequent, wide-body available | Yangtze delta cargo, oversize pieces |
The connecting point decides the last leg into Tehran. Dubai or Doha usually connect the same or next day; Istanbul adds half a day to a day. What actually ships depends on the space on the day the ticket is issued — do not promise a client from historical schedules.
| Stage | When smooth | When congested | Main variable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidation and palletising | 1–2 days | 3–5 days | Cargo arriving complete, repacking needed |
| Export clearance | 1 day | 2–3 days | Declaration details, inspection |
| Flight and connection | 1–2 days | 3–5 days | Connection, peak-season space |
| Destination clearance | 1–3 days | 5–10 days | Document consistency, duty payment |
| Final delivery | 1–2 days | 2–4 days | Distance, onward transfer |
Read it backwards: if you promised the client delivery in two weeks, adding the congestion column already breaks the promise. That is why our quotes always state both airport-to-airport and door-to-door figures — the uncertainty in DDP door delivery sits in the clearance stage.
Air freight is charged on chargeable weight, which is the higher of actual gross weight and volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is commonly calculated at 1 cubic metre = 167 kg. For light, bulky cargo always convert to volumetric weight before comparing quotes, or the numbers will not line up.
On top of the freight rate come the fuel and security surcharges, which move with the market and are charged at the standard on the day the ticket is issued. Export declaration, documentation, destination ground handling and customs clearance are separate line items. We quote the current week's all-in band; rates follow space, so the page does not publish a standing price.
September to January is the air peak. E-commerce stocking and year-end replenishment overlap, so space on a given lane can sell out a week ahead and rates rise with it. The practical rules are: book early, have the cargo ready before booking (late changes are expensive), and send one full batch rather than several small ones. We share the current week's rates and space with existing clients ahead of the peak.
Commodity (including material and use), number of pieces, gross weight, dimensions in centimetres, origin city, destination city, whether DDP door delivery is required, and the Incoterm. With complete details we reply the same day; without dimensions or with a vague commodity, we can only give a band.
Submit through the quote form, reach us via contact details, or read about our import service.
Mainly Xi'an, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai, consolidated on current week flights or blocked as a full pallet. Flight number and cut-off come with the booking.
Airport to airport to Tehran IKA is usually 3–7 days; door to door with handling and clearance is about 7–14 days.
General cargo can be DDP door to door. Batteries, liquids and powders need airline and destination eligibility checks first.