Shipping in a winter wonderland.
Whether, you ship via ocean or air freight, shippers with years of experience know of the usual yearly backlogs around Christmas time.
But if you’re a little newer to the game, or are finding yourself dealing with an unusual spike in activity for your particulary industry, an increase in shipments now is likely to have you sweating. But that’s okay, because I feel your pain, and have some great tips for you.
Join us!
The facts are, your ocean shipments may be on standby for the next ship or the one after. Your air freight shipments will most likely stay on the ground before taking off. Airlines prioritize US mails over commercial shipments during the Christmas season, which add waiting time for your shipments to the line. On imports, you have the Christmas orders coming in & customs clearances also experience delays with the US Customs.
Early dispatch
In a perfect freight world, shippers need early dispatches of their freight seeking departure and arrival dates that are not too close to Christmas.
You should speak with their international freight forwarders the MOMENT you have a clear understanding of when your cargo can be dispatched. Some forwarders will take steps to peruse all of the carriers servicing the trade lanes as well as evaluating the backlog situation.
Here are a few resources the early shipper should know about:
- Harmonized system number (international customs code to identify your products): https://uscensus.prod.3ceonline.com/
- Ocean Container dimensions: http://www.foreign-trade.com/reference/ocean.htm
Below are indicative freighter aircraft specifications for comparison purposes. Please note that these refer to standard models; modifications may be made by individual operators.
Make/Model |
Max Payload |
Max Loadable Volume |
Cargo Hold Dims |
Cargo Door Size |
Antonov 225 |
250 |
1100 |
4300 x 640 x 440 |
640 x 440 |
Boeing 747-800 |
140 |
850 |
5400 x 485 x 300 |
340 x 312 |
Antonov 124 |
120 |
800 |
3650 x 640 x 440 |
640 x 440 |
Boeing 747-300/400 |
110 |
675 |
5000 x 488 x 300 |
340 x 312 |
Boeing 747-200 |
100 |
675 |
4900 x 488 x 300 |
340 x 312 |
Boeing 777 |
100 |
625 |
4400 x 488 x 300 |
372 x 305 |
Ilyushin 96 |
90 |
580 |
4440 x 570 x 287 |
485 x 287 |
McDonnell Douglas MD11 |
85 |
500 |
4800 x 350 x 245 |
355 x 255 |
Airbus 330 |
65 |
475 |
580 x 525 x 245 |
358 x 256 |
Douglas DC10 |
65 |
400 |
3725 x 448 x 245 |
350 x 255 |
Lockheed Tristar |
55 |
420 |
3300 x 360 x 274 |
431 x 284 |
Boeing 767 |
55 |
400 |
3000 x 400 x 250 |
340 x 254 |
Airbus 300-600 |
47 |
410 |
4000 x 525 x 245 |
358 x 256 |
Ilyushin 76 |
45 |
180 |
1850 x 345 x 325 |
344 x 340 |
Airbus 300-200 |
43 |
295 |
3550x477x245 |
358 x 256 |
Airbus 310 |
40.5 |
270 |
390 x 477 x 223 |
358×257 |
Ilyushin62 |
40 |
240 |
280 x 375 x 200 |
345×200 |
Douglas DC8-62 |
40 |
200 |
3400 x 317 x 203 |
355 x 215 |
Boeing 757 |
39 |
187 |
3327 x 353 x 218 |
340 x 218 |
Tupolev 204 |
28.5 |
165 |
290 x 274 x 200 |
340×208 |
Boeing 727 |
23.5 |
144 |
2712 x 351 x 218 |
340 x 218 |
Lockheed Hercules |
21 |
140 |
1707 x 302 x 274 |
302 x 274 |
Antonov 12 |
18 |
95 |
1380 x 300 x 250 |
300 x 250 |
DC9 |
17 |
120 |
210 x 274 x 205 |
345 x 205 |
Boeing 737 |
16 |
115 |
2100 x 310 x 220 |
340 x 215 |
Lockheed Electra |
15 |
135 |
2000 x 280 x 220 |
355 x 203 |
BAe ATP |
8.2 |
78 |
1500 x 195 x 180 |
250 x 169 |
ATR 72 |
8 |
75 |
1795 x 225 x 175 |
294 x 180 |
Antonov 26 |
6.5 |
45 |
1110 x 220 x 160 |
230 x 171 |
Antonov 74 |
6.5 |
45 |
1000 x 215 x 220 |
226 x 220 |
Fokker 27 |
6.3 |
58 |
1336 x 210 x 190 |
228 x 175 |
ATR 42 |
4.6 |
40 |
1080 x 225 x 143 |
125 x 153 |
Saab 340 |
3.8 |
40 |
1300 x 170 x 170 |
135 x 130 |
Shorts 360 |
3.5 |
40 |
815 x 190 x 190 |
142 x 168 |
Falcon 20 / 200 |
2.5 |
11 |
704 x 156 x 142 |
190 x 140 |
Metroliner 23 |
2.3 |
18 |
775 x 158 x 145 |
127 x 115 |
Metroliner III |
2.1 |
12 |
775 x 158 x 145 |
130 x 115 |
Metroliner II |
1.4 |
12 |
835 x 115 x 120 |
130 x 115 |
Beech 200 Kingair |
1.2 |
5 |
280 x 124 x 138 |
132 x 138 |
Cessna 406 Titan |
1.2 |
6.5 |
320 x 120 x 117 |
124 x 116 |
Piper 31 |
0.6 |
4 |
350 x 100 x 125 |
65 x 110 |
Get started with a free freight shipping quote!:
Your best friend this holiday seasons is the mighty freight forwarder. Folks at ETC will help you find the best routes and prices and timing, and you won’t feel like a nameless number when you work with our team.
Get a free quote today!