FAQ

As the quickest mode of transportation for logistics, the time frame for air freight usually sits between 1 and 5 days, depending on the origin and destination of the goods, whether the flight is direct or indirect and customs clearance procedures and delays.

Generally, most goods can be shipped via air, including electronics, perishables and pharmaceuticals. However, there are certain products needing special handling, like batteries and chemicals.

Prohibited and restricted items include explosives and toxic materials, but all airlines follow the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, so this gives a much deeper dive into items that are not allowed to be shipped via air freight.

For air freight shipping, the most common customs clearance documentation required includes an air waybill, a packing list, a commercial invoice, export declarations and certificates such as the certificate of origin.

This list can vary, with the potential of additional documents being needed, depending on the type of goods, where they are going and where they are coming from.

Air freight is typically the highest-priced option when it comes to freight forwarding. This is primarily due to the fuel costs and space inside an aircraft. But the top benefits of airfreight are speed and reliability, which also adds to the service value and therefore impacts costs.

The costing rates fluctuate with air freight, depending on fuel prices, seasonality, route capacities and the weight and size of the goods being transported.

Air freight is the go‑to solution for high-value and time-sensitive shipments such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods. It is typically the most expensive method of freight transport, compared to road, sea and rail, but the benefits strongly outweigh the cost for those time-critical and valuable shipments.

With strong security, real‑time tracking, and careful handling at every stage, air freight gives you real peace of mind. It’s a reliable, fast, and secure option, perfect for businesses that need to protect and move their most valuable products with confidence.

Here at WM International, we have built up a wide pool of connections across major ports and shipping routes worldwide, so we’re rarely stuck for options when it comes to getting your shipment where it needs to go.

That global network means more flexibility for you: more routing options, more carrier choices, and better ability to navigate around delays or disruptions on any single route. Whether you’re shipping to a major hub or somewhere less common, our connections give us the reach to make it happen.

Got a specific route or destination in mind? Let us know and we can tell you more about our coverage there!

Road freight works well internationally, especially for shipments between neighbouring countries or within connected regions (like across Europe, which we specialise in here at WM International).

It’s a solid choice when you need door-to-door delivery without the extra handling that comes with switching between different transport modes. It’s also generally faster than sea freight for shorter international routes and more flexible than rail since trucks aren’t tied to fixed lines or schedules.

But, like anything, there are drawbacks to be aware of – very long overland routes can rack up costs and transit time compared to rail or air. It’s usually the sweet spot for short-to-medium distance, time-sensitive shipments, rather than shipping across continents.

Whether it’s heavy machinery, irregular-shaped equipment, or freight that needs special handling (temperature control, hazardous materials, extra security), we’ve got the experience and connections to move it safely and on time. We’ll work with you to figure out the right transport method, permits, and handling requirements for your specific load, as every oversized shipment is a bit different.

Rail freight is pretty flexible with what goods it can transport. A few categories are especially well-suited to it;

• Bulk and heavy goods like raw materials, including coal, timber, steel, grain, and construction materials. Trains can carry huge volumes cost-effectively, which trucks just can’t match.
• Containerised cargo – general merchandise, electronics, machinery, and consumer goods that travel in standard shipping containers move smoothly by rail, especially over long distances.
• Liquids and gases can go too, using specialised tank cars — things like fuel, chemicals, and certain food-grade liquids.
• Temperature-sensitive goods (produce and frozen items) can travel by rail in refrigerated cars, though this is less common than road or sea for short journeys.

Rail freight shines for long-distance, high-volume shipments over continents. It’s more cost-effective than road for large loads over long distances, and it’s generally more fuel-efficient and lower-emission too. The downside is lack of flexibility. Trains run on fixed routes and schedules, so you lose the door-to-door convenience that road freight offers.

Road freight is the most flexible of the three. It’s the go-to for door-to-door delivery, shorter distances, and time-sensitive shipments where you can’t afford the extra handling of switching transport modes. It costs more per mile than rail or sea for big volumes, but nothing beats it for getting somewhere directly and quickly on land.

Sea freight is the workhorse for international, high-volume shipments. It’s by far the most cost-effective option for large quantities, but it is the slowest transportation method, so don’t choose sea if you’re on a tight schedule!

In short: road for speed and flexibility, rail for cost-effective bulk over land, and sea for cost-effective bulk over water. Most shipments, especially international ones, actually combine two or more of these rather than relying on just one.

Customs delays happen for a variety of reasons; many are unavoidable.

Every international package gets checked by customs in the destination country before it’s allowed through. Sometimes that’s a quick formality. Other times it gets pulled for a random inspection, extra paperwork, or duties that need to be paid before it can move on — and none of that is something we (or you) can speed up from our end.

We know it’s frustrating to watch a package sit there. If your order’s stuck longer than expected, reach out and we’ll help you track down what’s going on.

Unfortunately, there is no set answer to how long customs clearance can take. It depends on the country and what customs decides to do with your package that day.

Most shipments clear within a few days. But if it gets flagged for inspection or needs duties paid, it can stretch to a couple of weeks. We wish we had more control over the timeline, but once it’s in customs’ hands, it’s their call.

Freight is goods transported in bulk across supply chains, via road, air, sea and/or rail. It is at the core of global trade, moving goods from origin to destination.

Freight forwarding is the coordination and management of the movement of goods from point A to B, being transported internationally or domestically.

With freight forwarding being the planning and arranging of moving goods in bulk around the globe, this means the key duties of a freight forwarding company include the following:

• The planning of shipments (routes, carriers and transportation modes – air, sea, road and/or rail)
• Documentation handling (Customs documents & export/import forms)
• Organise shipping consolidation (if possible) to reduce shipping costs
• And they can provide additional services, such as warehousing, insurance and tracking.

• Air Freight
• Sea Freight
• Road Freight
• Rail Freight

An FTL is a full truckload, so the full truck is booked for your shipment. An LTL is a less-than-truckload, where your goods share the space within the container with other shippers’ goods – it’s ideal for smaller shipments.

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📞 0121 327 1504

📧 info@wminternational.com

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