When it comes to air freight, speed is everything — but behind every “on-time” delivery is a process most clients never see. The true value of a reliable air import partner doesn’t lie in how fast planes fly, but in how well every detail before and after takeoff is managed.
At FML, air import isn’t just about booking cargo. It’s a full-service, end-to-end operation built on consistency, real-time coordination, and proactive problem-solving. Here’s what really goes on behind the scenes.
1. Every Shipment Starts with Speed — Even Before It Moves
Before a shipment ever leaves origin, it begins with a query — and response time matters. Clients send requests through various channels (email, phone, WhatsApp, WeChat), and these are logged, acknowledged, and actioned immediately.
The first job is to collect rates from multiple overseas agents, match them with available flight schedules, and ensure they meet the client’s deadline and budget expectations. This requires more than simply forwarding queries — it’s a daily balancing act between timing, pricing, and space availability.
2. Real-Time Rate Negotiation & Transparent Communication
Once rates are in, they are compared, analyzed, and sent to the client alongside flight schedule options, all with clear breakdowns. But this isn’t just a transactional step — it’s a consultative process.
Rate discussions are handled with direct follow-up. The client is walked through the options, timelines are confirmed, and schedules are aligned with real operational feasibility. The goal isn’t just to win the booking — it’s to ensure confidence and clarity from the outset.
3. Booking Is Just the Beginning
After a rate is confirmed, the shipment must be aligned with the cargo readiness at origin. The air import team coordinates with both the overseas agent and the shipper to finalize flight schedules and secure booking slots. This stage is where many operations fall apart — especially when space is limited or cargo isn’t ready on time.
At FML, this step is continuously followed up — every booking is tracked from the moment it’s confirmed to the minute it’s loaded. If a shipper delays, we act. If a booking is at risk, we find the next best option. Nothing is left on autopilot.
4. Draft Review, Pre-Alert Preparation & Flight Monitoring
Once cargo is handed over, draft shipping documents are reviewed — this includes HAWB, MAWB, commercial invoice, and packing list. Before anything is finalized, documents are verified against the original booking details to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Final pre-alerts are sent to the client only once every detail — from weight and dimensions to routing and consignee information — is confirmed. Clients receive full document sets in advance, clearly structured and professionally prepared.
The flight is then monitored through airline systems and direct agent updates. If anything changes — flight cancellation, offload, delay — the client is notified proactively, not reactively.
5. After Flight Departure: It’s Still Our Responsibility
Air import doesn’t end when the flight departs — that’s when accountability begins. Once the cargo is airborne, the import team tracks the transit, checks for customs clearance readiness, and monitors arrival times.
Key systems like ASYCUDA are checked to ensure accurate data input. If there’s a discrepancy in IGM or missing FHL/FWB data, it’s escalated and resolved quickly — either through coordination with the agent or direct intervention at the airport.
6. Billing, Documentation & Reporting
Once the shipment has cleared, it’s closed operationally and commercially. Freight invoices are generated based on agreed rates and formats — whether shipment-based, weekly, or monthly.
Clients receive soft and hard copies of:
- Final freight invoice
- Commercial invoice & packing list
- Signed HAWB
- Breakdown of all charges
In addition, shipment trackers and internal logs are updated to maintain full visibility across departments and future audits.
Why This Matters to Clients
Clients don’t need to manage all these steps — but they do need a partner who does. That’s what separates a logistics provider from a true freight management company.
With air imports, the risk isn’t just in delays — it’s in lost communication, missed cutoffs, mismatched documentation, or space shortfalls. At FML, our job is to eliminate those risks long before they ever become visible to the client.
Final Thoughts
Importing by air is fast — but managing it well is complex. FML’s air import department ensures that every shipment is handled with urgency, accuracy, and full accountability.
When deadlines are tight and expectations are high, our systems, processes, and teams ensure delivery is not just on time — but stress-free.
Interested in working with a freight partner that handles every step professionally and transparently?