When should I use air freight instead of ground?

When the delivery deadline cannot be met by ground transit, the shipment is a production-critical recovery, or the cost of delay exceeds the cost of air freight. We helps evaluate the trade-off and identify the most efficient option.

Do we handle customs clearance for air freight?

Yes. We coordinate export documentation, import clearance, and broker alignment for cross-border air shipments, including pre-clearance through CBSA and CBP where possible to reduce airport dwell time.

How quickly can we arrange a cross-border air shipment?

Next-flight-out options can be arranged within hours for urgent recoveries. Consolidated and scheduled air freight typically requires 24–48 hours of lead time depending on origin, destination, and carrier availability.

What size and weight limits apply to air freight?

Limits depend on the aircraft type and route. Commercial flights handle standard palletized freight up to standard ULD dimensions. Charter options accommodate oversized, heavy, or multi-piece shipments with dedicated capacity.

Can we handle temperature-controlled or hazardous air cargo?

Yes. We manage air freight for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, perishables, and classified hazardous materials with certified packaging, compliant labeling, and carrier coordination for regulated commodities.

Do we manage the ground legs on both sides?

Yes. We coordinate the ground legs on both sides through its asset network and approved operating partners, with one team accountable for pickup, airport transfer, and final delivery.

Cross-Border Overview

Cross-Border Air Freight

Time-critical air freight across borders, managed from pickup to delivery.

When ground transit cannot meet the deadline, we executes cross-border air freight with customs pre-clearance, door-to-door coordination, and asset-backed ground legs on both ends. Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Hours, not weeks.

Discuss Your Requirements Explore Capabilities

Cargo aircraft with global air freight network globe

Air Freight Capabilities

The full scope of what we manage in the air.

From next-flight-out recoveries to consolidated scheduled freight. Every option structured with customs coordination, ground-leg management, and door-to-door execution.

01

Next-Flight-Out

Expedited booking on the next available commercial flight for urgent shipments that cannot wait for scheduled capacity. Arranged within hours.

02

Charter & Dedicated Aircraft

Full aircraft charter for oversized, high-priority, or multi-piece shipments requiring guaranteed capacity, departure control, and direct routing.

03

Consolidated Air Freight

Cost-optimized air freight for time-sensitive but non-emergency shipments consolidated across scheduled commercial routes with predictable transit windows.

04

Door-to-Door Execution

Full pickup-to-delivery management: ground collection, airport handling, customs clearance, air transit, and final-mile delivery coordinated under a single plan.

05

Cross-Border Customs Coordination

Export documentation, import clearance, and broker alignment for air shipments crossing Canada–USA or U.S.–Mexico borders, including pre-clearance to reduce airport dwell time.

06

Temperature & Hazmat Capable

Specialized handling for temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals, perishables, and regulated hazardous materials requiring certified packaging and carrier compliance.

The SSP Difference

What separates us from a standard air freight broker.

Most brokers book flights. We manage the full chain: ground pickup, air transit, customs clearance, and final delivery, with its own fleet on the ground and a single team accountable end to end.

01

Production-Line Recovery

When a ground shipment fails and a manufacturing line depends on receiving freight within hours, we executes air recovery with the urgency the situation demands.

02

Asset-Backed Ground Legs

We coordinate pickup and delivery through its asset network and approved operating partners, keeping one team accountable from your facility to the airport and through final handoff.

03

Cross-Border Specialization

Cross-border operating experience in Canada–USA and U.S.–Mexico air customs, documentation, and border logistics. Pre-clearance coordination is built into the process from the outset.

04

Single-Point Accountability

One team manages the entire sequence, from ground pickup through air transit, customs, and final delivery. One point of contact, one execution plan, full visibility.

How It Works

A defined execution sequence for every air shipment.

Every cross-border air engagement follows a structured process, from initial assessment through confirmed delivery, built for speed without sacrificing coordination.

Step 01

Requirement assessment

Shipment urgency, dimensions, commodity profile, and delivery deadline evaluated. We determines whether next-flight-out, consolidated, or charter is the optimal solution.

Step 02

Capacity & route booking

Flight options identified, capacity secured with preferred carriers, and the full transit plan confirmed, including ground pickup and delivery coordination on both ends.

Step 03

Customs pre-clearance

Export and import documentation prepared, CBSA/CBP/Mexican customs pre-clearance coordinated, and broker alignment confirmed before departure to minimize airport dwell.

Step 04

Delivery & confirmation

Airport arrival monitored, ground transfer executed through the aligned operating network, final-mile delivery completed, and proof of delivery confirmed to the shipper.

FAQ

What shippers ask about air freight with SSP.

Practical questions from procurement, logistics, and operations teams evaluating air freight for time-critical cross-border shipments.