The most comprehensive information on air freight logistics from China to Ethiopia

There are multiple airports in China, such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen, providing air transportation services to Ethiopia. Different airlines operate these flights, with significant differences in transportation time and price. Chartered flights are also available.

Airport for air cargo service from China to Ethiopia

 Here are some airports that offer air cargo services from China to Ethiopia:

 Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX):  is one of the important air cargo hubs in China, with many direct flights to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG):  As an international aviation hub, it offers direct cargo services to Ethiopia.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN):  is one of the major air cargo airports in southern China and has direct flights to Addis Ababa.
 Ezhou Huahu International Airport:  In February 2024, the international freight route "Ezhou - Addis Ababa" was opened, with two flights per week. The transported goods include general goods, 3C electronic products, etc.
 Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport : Cooperated with Ethiopian Airlines to open a freight route to facilitate trade between China and Africa.
 Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG):  is an important air cargo hub in China with direct flights to Addis Ababa.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK): Direct cargo services to Addis Ababa are available.

 Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD):  is the main international airport in Ethiopia and the main destination for Chinese goods to be shipped to Ethiopia.
 Detailed table of air transport airports from China to Ethiopia (ADD)
  If you want to transport general goods and save money, the first choice is  Hong Kong or Guangzhou freight airport . These two lines are the cheapest, but they need to be transferred, which is suitable for large quantities of goods that are not in a hurry. If the goods are urgent or of high value, it is recommended to choose  direct flights , such as Ethiopian Airlines in Ezhou, Hong Kong or Guangzhou. Although it is a little more expensive, it can arrive in 1-3 days without worrying about transfer delays.

 Note: All prices must be re - confirmed before shipment. Some airlines require invoices and other documents to be shipped with the goods. Don 't forget!

 Airlines for Air Cargo Services between China and Ethiopia

 The following are some airlines that provide air cargo services from China to Ethiopia:

Detailed table of major airlines

Time required for air cargo from China to Ethiopian airports

The total transit time for air freight from China to Ethiopia is usually  3 - 7 days , but the actual time may vary due to flight schedules, customs clearance efficiency and seasonal factors. It is recommended to confirm the specific flight and customs clearance process with the freight forwarder or airline in advance to ensure the goods arrive on time.  The specific time depends on the following factors:
1. Departure airport and flight arrangements
Shanghai Pudong Airport:Direct flight to Addis Ababa, one flight per day, with a transportation time of about 4-7 days.
Beijing Capital Airport:Direct flight to Addis Ababa, with a transportation time of about 3-6 days.
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport:Direct flight to Addis Ababa, with a transportation time of about 5-7 days.
 Shenzhen Baoan Airport:  Direct flight to Addis Ababa, with a transportation time of about 2-5 days.
Hong Kong International Airport:Direct flight to Addis Ababa, with a transit time of approximately 2 - 5 days.
2. Customs clearance time
Regular customs clearance: The customs clearance time for ordinary goods is usually 3-5 working days.
  Buzz clearance: Some goods can be cleared within 48 hours through the express service, but an additional fee is required.
Special goods: For goods such as drugs and medical apparatus, the customs clearance time may be extended to 7-10 working days.
3. Other influencing factors
Peak seasons and weather: Peak seasons (such as holidays) and bad weather may cause flight delays and extend the transit time.
Document compliance: Incomplete documents or errors may cause customs clearance delays. It is recommended to prepare complete documents in advance.
Reference for the timeliness of popular airlines

Timing calculation: All transit times include transit stops/handling time, but exclude domestic pick-up and destination customs clearance time (usually +1-2 days).
Fastest option: If shipped from Guangzhou, Emirates Airlines (CAN-DXB-ADD) can reach the destination in as fast as 2 days (perfect connection of flights required). Although the direct flight is marked as 3 - 5 days, the actual flight + customs clearance usually only takes 2 - 3 days (e.g., direct flight from Ezhou can reach in 1 day).
Stability ranking: Ethiopian Airlines (direct) > Egypt Air > UAE Airlines > Saudi Airlines (transfer hubs are prone to delays).

Air cargo charter flights from China to Ethiopian airports

The cargo charter flights from China to Ethiopia are mainly for  large - volume, high - timeliness or special cargo transportation needs  (such as large - scale equipment, exhibition materials, large - volume cross - border e - commerce goods, etc.), and provide customized transportation services by  chartering the whole aircraft . The following is the detailed information about such charter flights:
 The cargo charters from China to Ethiopia are mainly operated by the following airlines to cover different demand scenarios:
1. Ethiopian Airlines
  As Africa's largest airline, Ethiopian Airlines not only offers regular passenger and cargo flights, but also provides charter services, which are especially suitable for large - volume cargo or flexible capacity requirements.
Chartered aircraft models:Commonly used are Boeing 777F (payload about 103 tons), Boeing 787-9 (passenger-to-cargo, payload about 50 tons) or Airbus A350F (new all-cargo aircraft).
Route Coverage:Direct flights from Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Beijing Daxing (PKX), Shenzhen Baoan (SZX) and other hub airports in China to Addis Ababa (ADD), and some chartered flights can be extended to countries around Ethiopia (such as Djibouti, Kenya) for regional distribution.
Advantages: Familiar with Chinese and Egyptian customs regulations, high customs clearance efficiency, and relying on its own freight network (ECLS) to provide "door-to-door" supporting services (warehousing, sorting, distribution).
2. Chinese domestic cargo airlines
 Some Chinese airlines participate in the China - Egypt freight market through passenger - to - cargo charter flights or all - cargo charter flights, which are suitable for small - and medium - sized batches of goods with high timeliness requirements:
SF Airlines: China's leading integrated logistics provider with its own all-cargo aircraft (such as Boeing 767-300F), which can transport large e-commerce goods and 3C products through the chartered flight route of "Shenzhen/Hangzhou → Addis Ababa". It is suitable for cross-border e-commerce goods exported by Chinese enterprises to Ethiopia.
China Southern Airlines Cargo (CZ Freight): A cargo platform under China Southern Airlines, which can provide passenger-to-cargo charter services departing from Guangzhou/Wuhan (such as Boeing 787 passenger aircraft modification), with a load capacity of about 40-50 tons, suitable for enterprises in South China to transport mechanical parts, textiles and other goods.
China Cargo Airlines: A wholly-owned cargo airline under China Eastern Airlines, relying on the Shanghai Pudong hub, can undertake charter orders from Shanghai to Addis Ababa, suitable for bulk cargo (such as building materials and chemicals) in East China.
Chongqing - Delhi - Addis Ababa route: It will be opened in the early morning of June 26, 2024, and will be operated by Ethiopian Airlines' Boeing 777-200F all-cargo aircraft. In the initial stage of opening, it is planned to operate 2 flights per week. The goods carried include electronic products, reflective films, cloth products, etc. made in Chongqing.
 Ezhou - Addis Ababa route:  Opened in February 2024, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, and as of June 2025, it has transported a total of 13,000 tons of goods.
 Chengdu - Addis Ababa route:  Opened on August 31, 2023, operated by Ethiopian Airlines using a Boeing B777F freighter. The route has now been increased to 3 flights per week, mainly exporting cross - border e - commerce products and smart electronic products, and returning with aircraft parts etc.

Reference price for air freight from China to Ethiopia airport

The price of air freight from China to Ethiopian airports varies depending on factors such as the departure location, airline, weight and volume of the goods. It should be noted that the actual air freight price may fluctuate due to changes in market supply and demand, adjustment of fuel surcharges, shipping seasons and other factors. The following is some reference information:
Reference prices for major routes
  Saudi Airlines departs from HKG, with a minimum price of ¥37.57/kg and a total price of ¥7580.74, but it needs to transfer in Riyadh (RUH). Egypt Airlines departs from CAN, with a price of ¥41.30/kg, and it needs to transfer in Cairo (CAI). Packing list and invoice should be provided with the goods.

Air freight rates from some Chinese airports to Ethiopia in March 2025