Shipping a vehicle internationally can take weeks by sea, but Air Freight Car Shipping offers the fastest solution for urgent vehicle transport. Whether you need to move a luxury car, a classic vehicle, or an urgently required vehicle overseas, air freight allows your car to reach another country within days rather than weeks.
At Ascope Shipping, with over 15 years of experience in international vehicle shipping, we regularly arrange vehicle air transport for clients who require speed, security, and reliability. In this guide, we explain how air freight for vehicle shipping works step by step, what documents are required, and what costs you should expect when shipping a vehicle by air.
What Is Air Freight Car Shipping?
Air freight car shipping is the process of transporting a vehicle internationally using a cargo aircraft rather than a container ship. The vehicle is loaded into specialised air cargo equipment and flown directly between international airports.
This method is commonly used for:
- Luxury and supercars
- Classic vehicles
- Motorsport vehicles
- Urgent international car shipping
- VIP car transport
Compared with sea freight, car shipping by air is significantly faster but generally more expensive due to aircraft cargo costs.
When Should You Choose Air Freight Car Shipping?
Air freight is not always the cheapest method of international vehicle shipping, but it is often the best option when speed and security matter.
Situations where air freight is ideal
Urgent vehicle delivery
If a car must reach another country quickly, urgent car air shipping can deliver vehicles within a few days.
High-value vehicles
Luxury or rare vehicles often use VIP car air shipping for maximum protection.
Motorsport events
Racing teams frequently rely on fast car shipping by air to transport vehicles between international races.
Remote destinations
Some locations have limited shipping routes, making vehicle air transport the fastest option.
Air Freight Car Shipping Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding the process helps vehicle owners prepare properly and avoid delays. Below is a typical step-by-step air freight car shipping process used by international shipping companies.
Step 1: Request an Air Freight Car Shipping Quote
The process starts by requesting an air freight car shipping quote from a professional shipping company.
Shipping providers will ask for details such as:
- Vehicle make and model
- Dimensions and weight
- Collection location
- Destination airport
- Preferred shipping timeframe
Step 2: Booking the Shipment
Once you accept the quote, the shipping company books space with an airline cargo carrier.
At this stage, the logistics team coordinates:
- Aircraft cargo space
- Departure airport
- Estimated shipping timeline
- Collection arrangements
Step 3: Preparing the Vehicle for Air Transport
Before the vehicle is transported to the airport, it must be properly prepared.
Preparation usually includes:
- Cleaning the vehicle
- Reducing fuel levels
- Checking for leaks
- Disconnecting alarms
- Inspecting the vehicle condition
In aviation logistics, vehicles are sometimes classified under dangerous goods car shipping rules due to fuel and battery systems. Shipping specialists ensure the vehicle complies with aviation safety standards.
Step 4: Documentation and Export Paperwork
Proper documentation is essential for international vehicle shipping.
Typical required export documents include:
- Vehicle registration document (V5C)
- Owner identification
- Commercial invoice or proof of ownership
- Export declaration
- Airway bill issued by the airline
UK exporters must also follow the DVLA export procedure, which involves notifying the DVLA that the vehicle is being permanently exported from the UK. Accurate documentation prevents delays during customs clearance and car export procedures.
Step 5: Transporting the Vehicle to the Airport
Once documentation is completed, the vehicle is transported to the airport cargo terminal.
Major UK airports that handle vehicle air cargo shipping include:
- Heathrow Airport
- Manchester Airport
- Birmingham Airport
- Stansted Airport
Step 6: Air Cargo Handling and Aircraft Loading
At the airport cargo terminal, the vehicle undergoes inspection before loading.
Cargo specialists:
- Check documentation
- Inspect vehicle condition
- Secure the vehicle onto cargo pallets
- Prepare aircraft loading equipment
Vehicles are carefully secured to prevent movement during flight. Special protective equipment is used to ensure safe air cargo car shipping.
Step 7: International Air Transit
During transit, the vehicle travels aboard a cargo aircraft.
Depending on the route, the aircraft may fly:
- Direct routes
- Multi-stop cargo routes
Most international car shipping by air takes between 1 and 5 days, depending on the destination and flight availability.
Step 8: Customs Clearance at Destination
Once the aircraft arrives, the vehicle must pass through customs clearance in the destination country.
Customs authorities verify:
- Ownership documents
- Shipping paperwork
- Vehicle import regulations
In many countries, the owner must also pay import tax or duties before the vehicle can be released. Ascope shipping usually assists with the customs clearance process to ensure smooth delivery.
Step 9: Vehicle Collection or Final Delivery
After customs approval, the vehicle can either be:
- Collected from the destination airport
- Delivered to the owner’s address
Air Freight Car Shipping Cost
The air freight car shipping cost varies depending on several factors.
Key factors include:
- Vehicle weight and size
- Departure and destination airports
- Urgency of shipment
- Aircraft cargo availability
- Handling and customs fees
In most cases, air cargo car shipping costs significantly more than sea freight, but it provides unmatched speed and security. For clients requiring same-day car air freight shipping, premium pricing may apply due to urgent aircraft cargo arrangements.
Air Freight Car Shipping Timeline
One of the biggest advantages of air freight is speed. Below is a typical timeline:
- Booking & scheduling: 1–2 days
- Documentation & export clearance: 1–2 days
- Air transit: 1–5 days
- Customs clearance at destination: 1–3 days
Air Freight vs Sea Freight Car Shipping
When shipping vehicles internationally, clients often compare air freight vs sea freight car shipping.
Air Freight
- Fastest shipping method
- Ideal for urgent deliveries
- Higher shipping cost
- Best for luxury vehicles
Sea Freight
- More affordable option
- Suitable for standard vehicles
- Longer transit times
- Container or Roll-on Roll-off shipping
Insurance for Air Freight Vehicle Shipping
Insurance is a critical part of international vehicle shipping. Air freight shipping companies usually provide cargo insurance coverage to protect the vehicle during transport.
Insurance can cover:
- Transport damage
- Loading and unloading incidents
- Unexpected cargo handling risks
Import Tax and Regulations
When importing a vehicle into another country, owners may need to pay import taxes, customs duties, or VAT.
These charges vary depending on:
- Destination country
- Vehicle age and value
- Local import regulations
Popular Air Freight Car Shipping Routes from the UK
International vehicle shipping companies regularly arrange air freight transport to destinations worldwide.
Popular routes include:
- Air freight car shipping UK to USA
- Air freight car shipping UK to Dubai
- Air freight car shipping UK to Qatar
- Air freight car shipping UK to Cyprus
- Air freight car shipping UK to New Zealand
- Air freight car shipping UK to Australia
Which is faster: air or sea car shipping?
Air freight is significantly faster than sea freight. Air cargo vehicle transport can deliver a car internationally within a few days, while sea freight typically takes several weeks depending on the shipping route and port schedules.
What airports handle vehicle air cargo in the UK?
Major UK airports handling vehicle air cargo shipping include Heathrow Airport, Manchester Airport, Birmingham Airport, and London Stansted. These airports have specialised cargo facilities that manage international air freight shipments.
Why Choose Ascope Shipping for Air Freight?
With over 15 years of experience, Ascope Shipping delivers reliable and efficient vehicle transport with a focus on speed, safety, and professional support at every stage:
- Fast and secure air freight car shipping
- Global airport-to-airport and door-to-door delivery
- Complete support with documentation and DVLA export procedures
- Expert customs clearance guidance
- Careful handling of high-value vehicles
Get an Air freight car shipping Quote
Air freight car shipping is the fastest and most secure way to move vehicles internationally. Although it costs more than sea freight, it offers exceptional speed, safety, and reliability, making it ideal for urgent shipments or high-value vehicles.
With over 15 years of experience, Ascope Shipping supports customers at every stage, including documentation, DVLA export procedures, insurance, customs clearance, and delivery. For anyone needing urgent or express car shipping overseas, air freight is the most efficient and dependable option available today. Contact us at 01482 228366 or email sales@ascopeshipping.co.uk to get your quote and speak with a shipping specialist.
