Shipping small accessory orders by air can be painfully expensive—but shipping them together with others? That’s how smart importers save.
Air freight consolidation groups multiple small shipments into one larger air cargo unit, helping reduce costs, simplify customs, and improve transit times for small accessory orders.
At AceAccessory, we consolidate shipments weekly with our forwarders—saving our clients money without sacrificing speed.
What are the different types of freight consolidation?
Not all consolidation is the same. It depends on shipment size, frequency, and logistics setup.
Freight consolidation can include buyer's consolidation, third-party forwarder consolidation, co-loading, or multi-client pooling—each offering unique advantages depending on volume and control.
Main consolidation types in freight:
| Type | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer’s Consolidation | One buyer combines multiple POs from different suppliers | Large importers with supply chains |
| Forwarder Consolidation | Freight company bundles shipments from multiple clients | Small to mid-sized businesses |
| Co-loading | Two or more forwarders share space on one airfreight lot | Budget-sensitive routes |
| Scheduled Consolidation | Pre-set weekly/bi-weekly flights with shared cargo loads | Consistent shipping needs |
At AceAccessory, we typically use forwarder consolidation, where orders from several customers are grouped based on destination and volume. It cuts cost per CBM or kg significantly—without affecting customs entry for each client.
What is the process of air freight consolidation?
To benefit from consolidation, your shipment has to meet tight timing and labeling rules. It’s a coordinated effort that starts before the goods even leave the factory.
Air freight consolidation involves collecting multiple small shipments, combining them at a consolidation hub, booking cargo space as a single lot, and deconsolidating at destination before final delivery.
Step-by-step consolidation workflow:
-
Factory Prepares Goods
- Each order labeled with client name, PO, and final address
-
Pickup to Consolidation Center
- Shipments grouped at the forwarder's export warehouse
-
Cargo Consolidation
- Pallets or air cargo containers (ULDs) created for the same destination
-
Export Clearance
- One master AWB used, with each order listed as House AWB
-
Air Transport
- Goods fly to destination airport as one cargo unit
-
Destination Deconsolidation
- Local warehouse breaks down cargo by client
-
Final Delivery
- Each consignee gets their shipment separately
With our forwarder, we use pre-booked air cargo space on flights from Hangzhou or Shanghai, allowing even 30kg shipments to reach New York or Paris in 4–5 days.
Is bringing several small shipments together to make a single larger shipment called consolidation?
Yes, and it's more than just a logistics trick—it’s a cost-saving strategy.
Bringing small shipments together to form a larger unit for transport is called consolidation. It’s commonly used in air and sea freight to reduce cost, improve efficiency, and simplify tracking.
Key benefits of consolidation for small accessory orders:
| Benefit | How It Helps Small Orders |
|---|---|
| Reduced Freight Cost | Share space instead of paying per package |
| Lower Minimum Charges | Avoid airline base charges for low weights |
| Faster Customs Clearance | Shared documentation, smoother processing |
| Better Tracking | One master tracking number |
| Greener Shipping | Less packaging and fuel waste |
For example, if you ship 20kg of resin clips via DHL Express, you might pay $9–12/kg. But via consolidated air, you pay just $4–5/kg—and still receive within the same week.
What does consolidation air freight mean?
Think of it as carpooling for your accessories—multiple brands, one shipment, shared savings.
Consolidated air freight refers to combining multiple orders—often from different customers—into one larger shipment booked on a single air cargo flight, then broken down at destination.
Characteristics of air freight consolidation:
- Consolidated AWB: One airway bill for the master shipment
- House AWBs: Individual documents for each order
- Lower Rates: Billed per group weight or CBM
- Same ETA: All shipments arrive together
- Separate Delivery: Each consignee gets final-mile dispatch
At AceAccessory, we work closely with consolidators who offer weekly cutoffs from China’s major airports—so if your order’s ready on Monday, it flies by Thursday.
This method supports small U.S. retailers who import 5–8 SKUs at a time but still want air delivery without express pricing.
Conclusion
Air freight consolidation helps small accessory buyers move faster and cheaper. At AceAccessory, we make it simple—grouping your order into shared cargo that saves cost, speeds delivery, and keeps every tracking number clear.
