Sorting out Key Information on Air Freight from China to Belgium

Key information on air freight from China to Belgium covers major cargo airports in China and Belgium (such as Shanghai Pudong and Brussels International Airport), operating airlines (such as Air China, China Southern Airlines, and SF Express), distribution of charter flights, and air freight price ranges.

Major Airports Providing Air Freight Services from China to Belgium

The efficient operation of air freight from China to Belgium relies on the infrastructure and hub roles of key airports. Below are the main airports providing air freight services from China to Belgium:

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
As one of China's largest air cargo hubs located in Pudong District, Shanghai, PVG boasts advanced facilities and high-efficiency operations. As a crucial starting point for air freight from China to Belgium, it offers abundant flight resources and state-of-the-art cargo handling services to ensure fast and secure transportation of goods to Belgium.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Situated in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, CAN serves as a major air cargo gateway in southern China. The airport provides regular flights to Belgium and has a professional cargo logistics team capable of fast processing and transporting goods. With rich experience in handling urgent shipments and dangerous goods, it is an ideal choice for South China's cargo bound for Belgium.
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
Located in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, SZX is another important airport in South China, specializing in air transportation of electronic products for the city's and surrounding areas' technology and manufacturing industries. Its efficient logistics operations and convenient customs clearance processes enable rapid delivery of Shenzhen's high-tech products to Belgium.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Renowned for its high-efficiency handling capabilities and robust cargo capacity, HKG is a key international air cargo hub offering direct flights to Belgium. With extensive experience and sophisticated facilities in international cargo processing, it is a reliable choice for international air freight to Belgium.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
As a major airport in northern China, PEK provides extensive cargo services and efficient connections to Brussels, Belgium. As one of China's largest aviation hubs, it has abundant flight resources and advanced logistics facilities to ensure fast and secure transportation of goods to Belgium.
Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
Located in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, NKG is one of the important air cargo airports in eastern China. Although its cargo volume is smaller than that of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, its strategic location provides convenient air freight services for surrounding areas, with certain advantages in handling time-sensitive cargo to meet the fast transportation needs of some enterprises.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
Situated in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, CTU is a major air cargo hub in southwestern China. With rich experience in cargo transportation, it provides fast transportation services for goods in the southwestern region, serving as an important air corridor connecting southwestern China and Belgium through its comprehensive logistics network and high-efficiency operations.
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
Located in Chongqing, CKG is one of the important air cargo airports in southwestern China, equipped with advanced facilities and a comprehensive logistics network to provide fast processing and transportation services for goods. It has certain advantages in handling large-sized and special cargo to meet the transportation needs of different enterprises.
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO)
Situated in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, CGO is a major air cargo hub in central China, playing a strategic role in cargo transportation. With its comprehensive logistics facilities and high-efficiency operations, it provides fast and convenient transportation services for goods in the central region, excelling in handling time-sensitive and bulk cargo.
Ezhou Huahu Airport (EHU)
As a rising new air cargo hub in Ezhou, Hubei Province, EHU is committed to building an efficient logistics network. With its advanced facilities and innovative operation models, it has great development potential in cargo transportation, with certain advantages in handling e-commerce goods and express parcels to strongly support cargo transportation in the central region.
Major airports in Belgium receiving air freight flights from China include:

Brussels International Airport (BRU)
Located 12 kilometers northeast of Brussels, BRU is Belgium's largest airport and one of Europe's important aviation hubs, connecting major cities worldwide with numerous flight options. The airport has complete facilities, including shopping, dining, and waiting lounges.
Liège Airport (LGG)
As Belgium's third-largest airport, LGG is mainly used for cargo and charter flights. In recent years, it has also developed passenger services, but with relatively fewer flights. The airport is Europe's 7th largest cargo airport and the global hub of Belgium's ASL Airlines (formerly TNT Airlines).

Airlines Operating Air Freight Flights from China to Belgium

Airlines from around the world provide convenient and diverse flight options for air freight from China to Belgium, leveraging their respective cargo business focuses and regional advantages:

Time Consumption for Air Freight from China to Belgium

1. Direct Flights
Flight times for direct flights mainly depend on the route distance and flight path arrangements between the departure airport and Brussels:

• Shanghai Pudong (PVG) → Brussels (BRU): Approximately 11-12 hours
• Beijing Capital (PEK) → Brussels (BRU): Approximately 10-11 hours
• Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) → Brussels (BRU): Approximately 12-13 hours

2. Transfer Flights
Flight times for transfer flights depend on the location of the transfer hub and route arrangements, with actual total time including transfer stops (usually 2-6 hours):

• Via the Middle East (Dubai DXB/Doha DOH):
• PVG/CAN→DXB/DOH→BRU: Approximately 14-16 hours (combined flight time)
• Via Istanbul (IST):
• SZX/XIY→IST→BRU: Approximately 15-18 hours (combined flight time)
• Via European hubs (Frankfurt FRA/Amsterdam AMS):
• CTU/HKG→FRA/AMS→BRU: Approximately 12-14 hours (combined flight time)

3. Customs Clearance Time
Belgium has high customs clearance efficiency, but it is affected by the following factors:

• Standard clearance: 1-3 working days (if documents are complete).
• Special inspections: May be extended to 5 days for goods involving pharmaceuticals, food, etc.
• E-commerce goods: Liège Airport (LGG) has a fast customs clearance channel, usually completed within 1 day.

4. Special Circumstances

• Weather/flight delays: Extreme weather may cause flight cancellations or delays of 1-2 days.
• Peak season congestion (e.g., before Christmas): Tight air freight space may cause additional waiting time of 1-3 days.
• Special cargo: Dangerous goods, lithium batteries, etc., require additional approval, which may add 2-5 days.

5. Overall Time Consumption and Summary

Charter Flights for Air Freight from China to Belgium

Charter flights offer more flexible and diverse transportation options. Below is a reference for charter flights from China to Belgium:

Key Charter Route Highlights:

• Shanghai Pudong (PVG):
  Main Routes: PVG-BRU; PVG-LGG
  Features & Tips: China’s largest cargo hub with advanced cold-chain facilities. High-value goods: choose Air China (CA) direct flights. E-commerce goods: opt for ASL Airlines (3V) direct flights.
• Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN):
  Main Routes: CAN-BRU; CAN-LGG
  Features & Tips: Core cross-border e-commerce hub. General cargo: China Southern (CZ) direct flights. Special cargo: consider Qatar Airways (QR) via Doha transit.
• Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX):
  Main Routes: SZX-BRU; SZX-LGG
  Features & Tips: Strong electronics industry support. Electronics: Hainan Airlines (HU) direct flights. Urgent cargo: Polar Air Cargo (PO) charters.
• Hong Kong (HKG):
  Main Routes: HKG-BRU; HKG-LGG
  Features & Tips: Free port advantages. High-time-sensitive cargo: Cathay Pacific (CX) direct flights. Bulk sea-air cargo: Maersk Air (DM).
• Zhengzhou Xinzheng (CGO):
  Main Routes: CGO-LGG
  Features & Tips: Cross-border e-commerce pilot zone. E-commerce parcels: prioritize Silk Way West (7L) direct flights (3-5 weekly charters).
• Beijing Capital (PEK):
  Main Routes: PEK-BRU
  Features & Tips: Convenient special item approval. Embassy supplies: Air China (CA) direct flights with stable timeliness.
• Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH):
  Main Routes: HGH-BRU
  Features & Tips: Alibaba logistics hub. E-commerce goods: choose the only Air China (CA) direct flight.
• Ezhou Huahu (EHU):
  Main Routes: EHU-LGG
  Features & Tips: Dedicated cargo airport. Express parcels: SF Airlines (O3) direct flights, fastest 36-hour delivery.

Prices of Air Freight from China to Belgium

Air freight rates from China to Belgium are influenced by multiple factors. Below is a rate reference:

Summary of Air Freight Rates by Airport:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

• Overall Rate Range: $4.41–4.90/kg
• Features & Recommendations:
  • Stable pricing; Etihad Airways (EY) via Abu Dhabi (AUH) transit is suitable for high-value goods.
  • E-commerce goods are recommended to use 500KG+ rates for better cost-effectiveness.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

• Overall Rate Range: $3.35–9.40/kg
• Features & Recommendations:
  • Hainan Airlines (HU) direct flight to Brussels (BRU) offers the lowest rate ($3.35/kg).
  • Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV) to Liège (LGG) has higher rates, suitable for special cargo transportation.
  • Bulk cargo (1000KG+) is recommended to choose HU or Turkish Airlines (TK) routes.

Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)

• Overall Rate Range: $3.57–6.12/kg
• Features & Recommendations:
  • Air China (CA) via Beijing (PEK) and Copenhagen (CPH) transit offers lower rates ($3.57/kg).
  • Turkish Airlines (TK) via Istanbul (IST) transit is suitable for multi-country distribution in Europe.

Ezhou Huahu Airport (EHU)

• Overall Rate Range: $4.41–4.90/kg
• Features & Recommendations:
  • SF Airlines (O3) direct flight to Liège (LGG) is suitable for e-commerce express, with the fastest delivery in 36 hours.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

• Overall Rate Range: $4.40–19.51/kg
• Features & Recommendations:
  • Polar Air Cargo (PO) has volatile prices, suitable for urgent cargo needs.
  • Finnair (AY) via Helsinki (HEL) transit is suitable for distribution in the Nordic market.
  • High-time-sensitive cargo is recommended to choose Emirates (EK) or Qatar Airways (QR).

Final Summary:

• Lowest Rate Range: $3.35–4.50/kg (CAN, SZX, PVG)
• Highest Rate Range: $6.00+/kg (some HKG routes)
• E-commerce Recommendations: EHU-LGG (SF Airlines), CAN-BRU (HU)
• Bulk Cargo Recommendations: 500KG+ rates are more favorable, e.g., CAN-BRU (HU), PVG-BRU (EY)

2025 Latest Air Freight Rates from Major Chinese Cities to Belgium

• Shanghai: ~$4.3–$5.8/kg
• Shenzhen: ~$4.79–$12.48/kg
• Beijing: ~$6.0–$9.0/kg
• Guangzhou: ~$5.1–$9.2/kg
• Hong Kong: ~$6.2–$9.3/kg