How long is the validity period of international air freight quotes? Why do prices fluctuate so frequently?
When shipping goods by international air freight, many importers and exporters often ask the same questions: “How long is this air freight quote valid?”, “Why did the price change after only a few days?”
Unlike ocean freight, air freight pricing is highly dynamic and can change frequently due to multiple market factors. Understanding how air freight quotes work will help importers plan better, avoid misunderstandings, and reduce unexpected logistics costs.
Common Validity Categories of International Air Freight Quotes
Regular Cargo Quotes: Applicable to general cargo and off-peak seasons, quotes from freight forwarders or airlines are typically valid for 3 to 7 days. This period covers most customers' order confirmation and cargo preparation time, and prices are relatively stable.
Peak Season or Limited Space Quotes: During peak freight seasons such as e-commerce promotions and holidays, space is in high demand, and quote validity can be significantly shortened to 24 to 48 hours, or even only valid for the day. Airlines dynamically adjust space prices during these times, and delayed confirmation may result in price increases.
Special Cargo or Long-Term Cooperation Quotes: Quotes for special cargo such as dangerous goods and oversized items may have extended validity periods of 7 to 15 days due to qualification reviews and space customization. For long-term large clients with agreements with freight forwarders, validity periods can be agreed upon monthly or quarterly, and prices are relatively fixed.
Temporary Inquiry or Individual Customer Quotation: Temporary inquiries for small, scattered shipments, with quotations valid for 1 to 3 days and "subject to the final price at the time of booking," to avoid risks arising from market fluctuations.
So, the exact validity basically depends on:
Airline policies
Route and destination
Current market capacity
Type of cargo (general cargo, batteries, DG, oversized, etc.)
Why do prices fluctuate so frequently?
1. Supply and Demand
This fundamental economic principle plays a crucial role in air freight pricing. When demand exceeds available capacity, prices tend to rise. Conversely, when capacity exceeds demand, prices may fall.
2. Airline Capacity Changes Daily
Air freight capacity mainly comes from passenger aircraft belly space and freighter aircraft. When passenger flights increase or decrease, available cargo space changes immediately.
For example: flight cancellations, route adjustments, aircraft changes. All of these directly affect pricing — sometimes within the same week or even the same day.
3. Aviation Fuel Price Fluctuations
Fuel costs are a core component of airline operating costs, accounting for 20% to 30%. International oil prices are affected by geopolitical factors, supply and demand, and exchange rate fluctuations, and can rise and fall daily. Airlines adjust their fuel surcharges (FSCs) accordingly, directly impacting their total pricing. This adjustment is real-time and synchronized across the entire industry, making it the most direct factor in price changes.
4. Seasonal Trends
Freight volumes surge at certain times of the year, such as big holidays, Chinese New Year, Black Friday, and Christmas. This seasonal demand leads to price increases as carriers adjust freight rates to accommodate the surge in volume.
5. Different Weight Breaks Affect Pricing
Air freight pricing is calculated by chargeable weight, with different rate levels such as:
+45 kg
+100 kg
+300 kg
+500 kg
+1000 kg
（See price details for air freight quotes from China to the UK.）
If your shipment weight changes slightly, it may move into a different pricing bracket, resulting in a different total rate.
Why might today's quote be invalid tomorrow?
Many clients wonder why prices may not remain the same after just a few days.
This is usually because:
Airline capacity is sold out
Market demand suddenly increases
Airlines release new pricing policies
Fuel surcharges are adjusted
Therefore, clients typically need to re-check prices with the freight forwarder after finalizing their shipping data and information.
While air freight prices are always affected by global market dynamics, working with experienced partners helps mitigate uncertainty. Especially before holidays and peak seasons, importers should plan your production, procurement and shipping plans in advance and inform freight forwarders so that they can plan ahead and reserve space.
How We Help You Navigate Air Freight Price Volatility？
Timely Market Updates: We keep you informed about trends and provide advice on the best booking windows.
Flexible Solutions: Including hybrid mode options (air freight + sea freight) or alternative routes to balance cost and speed. We offer competitive air freight rates from China to worldwide destinations, direct airline space allocation, door-to-door air freight service, and DDP / DDU air freight solutions, etc.
Seasonal Forecasts: We provide timely reminders before major holidays, e-commerce freight surges, or peak seasons to help you ship in advance and avoid delays.
By closely monitoring market dynamics and providing reliable information, we enable you to make more strategic decisions regarding your shipping needs. We are committed to providing transparent and competitive air freight solutions, tailored to your specific requirements. For any questions or to request a quote, please feel free to contact our team of experts. We are dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of international shipping.
Post time: Feb-04-2026
