CONVIVIA · VENEZUELA FLAG CARRIER · CARACAS HUB

Conviasa

Conviasa · the Caracas to Guangzhou transoceanic route and belly cargo toward Venezuela

Conviasa's full name is Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronauticas y Servicios Aereos, IATA code V0, ICAO code VCV. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Caracas, it works from Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport as its main hub and is Venezuela's state airline. The fleet includes four-engine Airbus A340-600 widebodies and Embraer E190 regional jets. Conviasa opened a scheduled Caracas to Guangzhou passenger route in December 2022 with a stop in Tehran, later changed to Moscow, and released belly space on those flights; the route was suspended for reasons beyond its control in January 2026 and there is no public information on a resumption date. The cargo department carries domestic and international freight, with published international destinations Havana, Cancun and Moscow.

CountryVenezuela

Head office locationCaracas

Main hubsMaiquetia Simon Bolivar Airport

IATA codeV0

ICAO codeVCV

Founded2004

Conviasa background and its role for China cargo

Conviasa was founded in 2004 as Venezuela's state airline, linking the country's main cities with the Caribbean and Europe. It works from Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas as its main hub, using four-engine Airbus A340-600 widebodies on long-haul routes and Embraer E190 regional jets domestically and regionally.

China and Venezuela have long traded, and China is an important trading partner and source of investment for Venezuela. Chinese exports include machinery and electrical products, high-technology goods, vehicles and parts, advanced materials, appliances, textiles and apparel and household goods; Venezuela exports mainly crude oil, petrochemicals, aluminium ingots, iron ore and agricultural products. Air freight supplements sea and pipeline energy transport and mainly carries time-critical, high-value, small-lot cargo.

Conviasa opened the scheduled Caracas to Guangzhou passenger route in December 2022, initially with a stop in Tehran and later in Moscow, flown by Airbus A340-600 at one flight a week. It was the first scheduled passenger route from Latin America to China, and belly space was released on the flights so Chinese export cargo could leave Guangzhou and reach Caracas on the route. The service was suspended for reasons beyond the carrier's control in January 2026 and there is no public information on a resumption date.

Drawing on Conviasa's route history and trade demand toward Venezuela, Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited provides Chinese shippers with an integrated air program covering domestic pickup, export clearance, booking on the transoceanic route or via a European connection, and clearance assistance on arrival in Caracas. While the Guangzhou route is suspended, cargo can be coordinated through a local agent in Caracas onto other carriers serving Venezuela.

IATA two-letter code

VCV

ICAO three-letter code

2004

Founded

A340-600/E190

Aircraft types in service

The transoceanic air network from China to Caracas

The diagram shows, as a great-circle arc, Conviasa's former China routing from Guangzhou via Moscow or Tehran to Caracas, together with the domestic distribution network inside Venezuela. Solid yellow lines are segments flown by Conviasa, dashed blue lines the China departure and connecting segments, and red nodes the points served with belly cargo.

Cargo services and product scope

Transoceanic belly cargo on passenger aircraft

Conviasa's four-engine Airbus A340-600 widebodies release belly space on scheduled flights, and on the former Caracas to Guangzhou route the belly could take loose cargo and pallets. While the route is suspended, cargo can reach Venezuela through a European or Caribbean connection.

Domestic and regional cargo network

Conviasa's cargo department publicly carries domestic and international freight, with international destinations Havana, Cancun and Moscow. E190 regional jets fly domestic services and release belly space on those flights.

Trade samples and urgent shipments

Trade samples, urgent replacement parts, exhibition material and after-sales repair parts bound for Venezuela suit the transoceanic belly express channel; on the former Guangzhou to Caracas route total transit was about two to three days.

General trade cargo

General cargo such as machinery and electrical products, high-technology goods, vehicle parts, appliances and textiles is booked under IATA general cargo rules, with loose and pallet combinations suited to small and medium trade shipments.

Dangerous goods advice

Cargo containing batteries, magnetic materials or chemical intermediates needs MSDS and a transport classification report in advance; the forwarder reviews them at booking and loads under IATA DGR rules.

Shipment tracking

After the cargo leaves the warehouse the forwarder reports each flight segment to the shipper: domestic departure, export loading, the transoceanic leg, arrival in Caracas, customs release and final delivery.

Main cargo types exported from China to Venezuela

Machinery, electrical products and high-technology goods

Chinese machinery and electrical exports to Venezuela include machinery, electronics and appliances, vehicle parts, advanced materials and household appliances. Volume and weight per shipment are moderate, which suits transoceanic belly carriage; high-value pieces should be declared as special cargo and insured.

Vehicles and parts

Chinese passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles and their parts hold a steady share of the Venezuelan market. Complete vehicles usually go by sea, while urgent parts and repair items fly in the belly and are distributed from Caracas to Maracaibo, Barcelona and other cities.

Textiles, apparel and consumer goods

Textiles, garments, footwear, plastics, cleaning products and stationery have long been among the top Chinese exports to Venezuela. Low-density cargo is charged on volumetric weight.

Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies

Pharmaceutical ingredients, medical consumables and first-aid supplies from China are cleared by a local agent in Caracas and delivered to medical facilities across Venezuela. Temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals move in reefer containers.

Telecom equipment and electronics

Mobile phones, telecom base station parts and consumer electronic accessories see steady demand in Venezuela and suit fast belly carriage; high-value pieces should carry all-risks air cargo insurance.

High-value samples and urgent shipments

Export samples, urgent replacement parts, after-sales repair items and exhibition material can use the passenger belly express channel, departing Guangzhou to connect with Conviasa's transoceanic route.

Booking process and steps

Step 1

Enquiry

The shipper provides origin and destination airports, pieces, weight and dimensions, cargo type, required transit and pickup address, and the forwarder returns a quotation with routing and space within half a working day.

Step 2

Booking confirmation

Once the plan is confirmed the forwarder books the China departure leg and the transoceanic leg, and requests belly space toward Caracas from Conviasa or its connecting partner carriers.

Step 3

Pickup and customs clearance

The forwarder arranges domestic pickup, warehousing, weighing, palletising and export declaration, and reviews documentation for dangerous goods and temperature-controlled cargo under IATA rules.

Step 4

Transoceanic carriage

Cargo moves on the Guangzhou to Caracas transoceanic route, or connects toward Caracas via hubs such as Moscow, Madrid or Paris.

Step 5

Arrival in Caracas

After arrival at Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport, the local agent completes import declaration, inspection and release.

Step 6

Destination delivery

Once released, cargo is delivered by local truck to addresses in Caracas, Maracaibo, Barcelona and Valencia.

Step 7

Exception handling

When flights change, capacity tightens or customs inspects a shipment, the forwarder notifies the shipper immediately and offers alternatives such as rebooking, return or redistribution.

Step 8

Reconciliation and settlement

After delivery the forwarder issues an itemised invoice covering air freight, transit charges, ground handling, customs fees and destination charges.

Cargo documents and operating standards

Air cargo exported to Venezuela is documented under IATA cargo handling standards and Venezuelan import requirements. The basic set is commercial invoice, packing list, air waybill, export declaration and certificate of origin. The invoice must show commodity, specification, quantity, unit price, total value, trade terms and consignor and consignee details.

Dangerous goods also need a dangerous goods declaration, an MSDS, a transport identification report and a DG packaging certificate. Cargo containing lithium batteries needs the UN38.3 test summary. Temperature-controlled cargo needs a temperature recording plan and details of the cooling medium.

Under Venezuelan import rules some goods need an import permit and a quality inspection certificate in advance. Chinese exporters should confirm import eligibility and the document list with the Venezuelan consignee before booking. The forwarder checks document completeness at booking and tells the shipper what to correct where anything is missing.

On packing: general cargo should use corrugated cartons or wooden pallets, with steel strapping added for heavy pieces; fragile goods should be wrapped in honeycomb board or air column bags; high-value goods should carry tamper-evident seals and a declared value on the air waybill.

The Guangzhou route: history and current status

Conviasa announced the activation of commercial flights between Caracas and Guangzhou in July 2022 and opened the route on 20 December 2022 at one flight a week, initially with a stop in Tehran and flown by Airbus A340 aircraft. It was the first scheduled passenger route from Latin America to China, and belly space was released on the flights.

In June 2024 Conviasa formally listed the route as its fifteenth international destination, flown by Airbus A340-600 with a stop at Moscow Vnukovo. In December 2024 the service resumed, again linking Caracas and Guangzhou.

In January 2026 Conviasa notified through its official channels that flight V0771 from Guangzhou to Caracas, scheduled for 5 January 2026, was cancelled for reasons beyond its control. The route was then the only nonstop link from China to Venezuela, so the suspension directly affected air cargo arrangements on the lane. There is no public information on a resumption date.

While the Guangzhou route is suspended, cargo from China to Venezuela can be arranged in three ways: through a local agent in Caracas coordinating a connection on other carriers; via a European hub such as Madrid, Paris or Frankfurt to Caracas; or by returning to the original transoceanic belly plan once the route resumes. The forwarder matches the routing to the shipment's deadline and rate budget.

Conviasa fleet and capacity conditions

The four-engine Airbus A340-600 is the long-haul mainstay, flying Caracas to Moscow, Guangzhou and other transoceanic routes; the Embraer E190 regional jet is the domestic and regional mainstay, flying Caracas to Maracaibo, Barcelona and Valencia and regional services to Havana and Cancun.

As a four-engine widebody the A340-600 has generous belly space and can take both loose cargo and pallets, suiting small and medium lots of high-value transoceanic freight. The E190 belly is mostly loose-load space, suited to small-lot distribution within Venezuela.

Conviasa's cargo department states on its website that cargo services are provided by experienced, trained staff aiming to give customers the best, most reliable and most economical freight service. Published international destinations are Havana, Cancun and Moscow.

While the Guangzhou route is suspended, shippers arranging transoceanic cargo should book passenger belly space in advance rather than assume freighter capacity. At booking the forwarder matches pieces, weight, dimensions and deadline to an A340 widebody flight or a narrowbody service via Europe, balancing rate against space security.

China-Venezuela trade structure and air cargo demand

Bilateral trade has grown since China and Venezuela established relations in 1974. China is an important trading partner for Venezuela and Venezuela an important energy partner for China in Latin America. Energy cooperation dominates: China imports crude oil, petrochemicals, aluminium ingots, iron ore and agricultural products, and exports machinery and electrical goods, high-technology products, vehicles and parts, appliances, textiles and apparel and household goods.

Energy commodities move mainly by sea and pipeline, while air freight carries time-critical, high-value, small-lot cargo. Demand from China to Venezuela concentrates on trade samples and urgent replacement parts, high-value electronic components and communications equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, and exhibition material and after-sales repair parts.

The opening of the Caracas to Guangzhou route gave the lane a nonstop channel. While it operated, cargo could fly from Guangzhou Baiyun directly to Caracas in about two to three days, well short of the five to eight days typical of a European connection.

While the Guangzhou route is suspended, shippers can use a European hub connection or return to the nonstop belly plan once service resumes. The forwarder matches the routing to the shipment's deadline and rate budget.

Operating risks on the Venezuela lane and how they are handled

Operating risk on the China to Venezuela lane concentrates in three areas: the reliability of the Guangzhou route, space volatility at connecting hubs, and changes in Venezuelan import clearance policy. When accepting cargo the forwarder explains these points at the quotation stage and tracks them through booking and carriage.

On route risk, the Guangzhou service was suspended in January 2026 for reasons beyond the carrier's control and there is no public information on a resumption date. Before booking, the forwarder sets out the routings that can actually be executed so that the shipper does not hold unrealistic expectations of nonstop transit.

On hub space risk, European hubs such as Madrid, Paris and Frankfurt tighten in peak season and at special periods, and cargo can be offloaded at the connection. The forwarder locks connecting space early and prepares several alternative hubs to limit the impact.

On clearance risk, Venezuelan import requirements can change with customs policy. The forwarder works with a local broker in Caracas, tracks changes to import permits, inspection and quarantine and tariff policy, warns the shipper in advance and helps prepare corrective documents.

For high-value cargo the forwarder recommends all-risks air cargo insurance at booking, covering loss and damage for the whole journey. For temperature-controlled and dangerous goods, packaging and documents are re-checked before dispatch to reduce the risk of refusal or return on arrival.

Where Conviasa belly capacity fits

Chinese exporters can match the following situations to Conviasa belly capacity. First, equipment parts and urgent site supplies for engineering contractors: with the site in Caracas, Maracaibo or Barcelona and parts needed within days, the forwarder connects through Caracas or a European hub onto Conviasa flights and compresses a sea transit of weeks into about one week.

Second, market development samples. Chinese suppliers sending electronics, vehicle parts and household goods samples to Venezuelan importers usually ship under 20 kilograms per lot, which suits loose belly space, with the local agent helping the consignee clear and collect on arrival.

Third, materials for energy projects. Special parts, test instruments and replacement items for Chinese oil, petrochemical and power projects in Venezuela are declared through the special cargo channel, with the forwarder working with Conviasa's cargo department on document review and loading.

Fourth, transit trade. Some Chinese cargo goes first to a free zone in Madrid or Paris for document exchange, repacking or palletising and then connects to a Conviasa flight to Caracas, with the forwarder's European ground agent handling the transit.

Fifth, e-commerce and small parcel consolidation. Parcels from Chinese cross-border sellers to Venezuela are consolidated in China, moved as palletised lots, and delivered on the last mile by a local distribution network in Caracas.

Rate structure and cost control on the Venezuela lane

The air rate from China to Venezuela has three parts: the China departure air freight, ground handling and connection charges on the transoceanic or European leg, and the Conviasa belly charge from the Caracas gateway. The forwarder merges the three into one through rate per kilogram from the Chinese gateway to the Venezuelan destination.

On cost, consolidating low-density cargo onto pallets lowers the rate per kilogram; mixing dense and light cargo uses both the weight and volume limits of a pallet; booking two to three weeks ahead avoids last-minute peak surcharges; and once the Guangzhou route resumes, the nonstop belly option removes the connecting charges.

At quotation stage the forwarder sets out what the price covers and what it does not; destination duty, VAT, inspection fees and storage are normally paid by the consignee on arrival, and the forwarder does not collect or advance them, which avoids later disputes over charges.

Frequently asked questions

Can cargo from China to Venezuela fly nonstop with Conviasa?

Conviasa operated a scheduled Caracas to Guangzhou passenger route with a stop in Tehran or Moscow and released belly space on those flights. The service was suspended in January 2026 for reasons beyond the carrier's control and there is no public information on a resumption date; cargo can connect via Caracas or a European hub.

What cargo can Conviasa belly space carry?

Conviasa's cargo department carries domestic and international general cargo, trade samples and urgent supplies, with published international destinations Havana, Cancun and Moscow.

Which aircraft types does Conviasa mainly operate?

The fleet includes four-engine Airbus A340-600 widebodies and Embraer E190 regional jets, with belly cargo space offered on the same passenger flights.

How long does air transit from China to Venezuela take?

While the Guangzhou route operated, Guangzhou to Caracas took about two to three days. During the suspension, a European connection takes about five to eight days, depending on flight connections at the hub and clearance speed.

Can cargo containing lithium batteries use Conviasa belly space?

Lithium battery shipments are declared under the IATA DGR; an MSDS, UN38.3 test report and transport assessment are required before booking, subject to forwarder review.

What is the Conviasa cargo website domain?

The official website is conviasa.aero, where the company's published cargo service information can be found; booking is best handled through Goodhope Freight.

Is road haulage from Caracas airport to Maracaibo reliable?

Truck delivery from Caracas to Maracaibo depends on domestic logistics conditions in Venezuela and transit times vary, so the final delivery plan must be confirmed with the consignee before booking.

How is space booked once the Guangzhou route resumes?

Once resumption is announced the forwarder will reopen the Guangzhou to Caracas belly booking channel immediately, and shippers can reserve space in advance.

Request a rate for belly cargo from China to Venezuela

Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited provides an integrated service on the China to Venezuela lane, covering domestic pickup, export clearance, booking on the transoceanic route or via Europe, Conviasa belly booking and clearance assistance on arrival in Caracas. Shippers can send origin and destination airports, pieces, weight and dimensions and cargo type to obtain a quotation.

Disclaimer

Prepared by Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited to describe belly cargo routings and handling toward Venezuela on Conviasa. Schedules, aircraft types, space and destinations listed here follow what Conviasa and its connecting carriers publish on the day, and the status of the Guangzhou route follows the carrier's latest official notice; confirm shipment by shipment with the forwarder before acting.

Contact details

Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited. Enquiries: cargo department. Office: Shenzhen, China. Email: available through the company's official channels. Website: goodhope86.com.

Trademarks and intellectual property

The names and marks Conviasa, Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronauticas y Servicios Aereos, V0 and VCV are the property of Conviasa, Venezuela's state airline. Airline names and IATA and ICAO codes are cited here only to describe freight forwarding services, and there is no affiliation, endorsement or guarantee relationship with Conviasa. No copyright-protected airline imagery is used; all graphics are original inline vector drawings made for this document.