What we do
Air freight that is managed end to end, not just booked
Most freight forwarders book the flight and send you an airway bill. TSI Central Station manages the entire movement from the moment your cargo is ready at origin through airline booking, export documentation, customs clearance in South Africa, and final delivery to your door.
We work with all major airlines operating into OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport in Durban. Whether you are moving a single urgent consignment or managing a regular air freight programme from multiple origins, TSI has the relationships, the systems and the customs capability to keep it moving.
Air freight is the right choice when speed matters, when cargo value justifies the cost, or when sea freight lead times will break your supply chain. TSI will advise honestly on whether air is the right mode before you commit.
Why importers choose TSI for air freight
- ✓ Single-point accountability from origin to delivery — no sub-agents, no blame-shifting
- ✓ In-house customs clearing — your entry lodged by TSI's own team, not outsourced
- ✓ Full landed cost calculated upfront — airfreight, duties, handling and delivery included
- ✓ Real-time visibility through the TSI Digital Control Tower — you see your shipment as we do
- ✓ Dangerous goods and pharmaceutical handling managed compliantly — IATA-regulated
- ✓ Level 2 B-BBEE certified — your procurement spend works for your scorecard
Cargo types
We handle every type of air freight cargo
From standard general cargo to dangerous goods, pharmaceuticals and high-value shipments — TSI has the approvals, the airline relationships and the experience to move it compliantly and on time.
General Cargo
Standard commercial goods moving by air — manufactured products, spare parts, consumer goods, samples and documentation. TSI manages airline booking, airway bill preparation, export declaration and customs clearance at destination.
Express and Time-Critical Shipments
When a production line is down or a shipment missed a sea freight cut-off, TSI arranges next-available-flight options. We book on the fastest available routing, prepare documentation same day and coordinate priority handling at both origin and destination airports.
Pharmaceuticals and Temperature-Controlled Cargo
GDP-compliant handling for medicines, vaccines, biologics and other temperature-sensitive products. TSI manages IATA CEIV-aligned procedures, coordinates with qualified cool chain facilities at OR Tambo and ensures unbroken cold chain from origin to final delivery.
Dangerous Goods (IATA)
IATA-regulated dangerous goods shipped in full compliance with air transport requirements. TSI prepares correct DG declarations, coordinates with approved airlines for DG acceptance and ensures compliant packaging, labelling and documentation at all points in the journey.
High-Value Cargo
Electronics, jewellery, currency, artworks and other high-value consignments requiring enhanced security handling. TSI coordinates secure storage, valuables handling procedures and insurance arrangements, and manages the complete chain of custody documentation.
Out-of-Gauge and Heavy Cargo
Oversized or heavy freight that exceeds standard ULD dimensions — industrial components, machinery parts and project equipment. TSI arranges charter or freighter capacity where standard belly cargo options are insufficient and manages all associated special handling documentation.
Perishables
Fresh produce, flowers, seafood and other perishable cargo requiring priority handling and cold chain management. TSI coordinates with perishable handling agents at origin and destination airports and monitors temperature conditions and handling times throughout the shipment.
Bonded and In-Transit Cargo
Air freight consignments held under customs bond, in transit through South Africa for re-export, or pending duty payment. TSI manages all SARS bonded procedures and transit documentation to keep your cargo moving without unnecessary delay.
Airports and routes
We move air freight through every major South African airport
Active airline relationships, established ground handling partnerships and proven documentation workflows at all three major South African international airports.
South African airports
OR Tambo International Airport
TSI's primary air freight gateway. Johannesburg handles the majority of South Africa's air cargo volumes with connections to all major global hubs. TSI's clearing team and ground handling partners are based at OR Tambo.
Cape Town International Airport
TSI manages air freight imports and exports at Cape Town for Western Cape clients. Key gateway for perishables, wine exports and fast-moving consumer goods serving the Western Cape market.
King Shaka International Airport
TSI handles air freight clearing and delivery at King Shaka for KwaZulu-Natal importers and exporters. Coordinated with our Durban sea freight team for clients using both modes.
Key origin regions
Not on the list? TSI moves air freight from any airport with commercial cargo capacity. Contact us to confirm routing and transit times from your origin.
Airports and routes
We move air freight through every major South African airport
Active airline relationships, established ground handling partnerships and proven documentation workflows at all three major South African international airports.
South African airports
OR Tambo International Airport
TSI's primary air freight gateway. Johannesburg handles the majority of South Africa's air cargo volumes with connections to all major global hubs. TSI's clearing team and ground handling partners are based at OR Tambo.
Cape Town International Airport
TSI manages air freight imports and exports at Cape Town for Western Cape clients. Key gateway for perishables, wine exports and fast-moving consumer goods serving the Western Cape market.
King Shaka International Airport
TSI handles air freight clearing and delivery at King Shaka for KwaZulu-Natal importers and exporters. Coordinated with our Durban sea freight team for clients using both modes.
Key origin regions
Not on the list? TSI moves air freight from any airport with commercial cargo capacity. Contact us to confirm routing and transit times from your origin.
Our process
How a TSI air freight shipment works
From the moment you confirm a shipment with TSI, every step is managed, tracked and reported back to you — no chasing required.
Rate and routing
TSI obtains airline rates and confirms the fastest available routing from origin to your South African destination. We present options with transit times and costs so you can make an informed decision before we book.
Origin documentation
We coordinate with your supplier or origin agent to ensure all export documentation — commercial invoice, packing list, airway bill and any required certificates — is correctly prepared and lodged before the cargo is accepted by the airline.
Flight tracking
TSI monitors your shipment from departure and sends you proactive updates on flight status, estimated arrival time and any changes to the routing. You have visibility through the TSI Digital Control Tower throughout.
Customs clearance
Our in-house customs team prepares and lodges the bill of entry with SARS in advance of the aircraft's arrival. Duty calculations, tariff classification and supporting documentation are all handled by TSI — no third-party clearing agent involved.
Airport collection
Once customs release is confirmed, TSI coordinates collection of your cargo from the airline's warehouse at the airport. We manage handling fees, screen documentation and ensure your cargo is released correctly and promptly.
Delivery and reporting
Your cargo is delivered to your warehouse, distribution centre or customer site. TSI provides a complete shipment cost summary — airfreight, handling, duties and delivery — for your landed cost records.
The TSI difference
What separates TSI from a standard air freight forwarder
No sub-agents on your shipmentTSI does not hand your cargo to a third-party agent at destination. Our team owns the shipment from booking to delivery — one point of accountability throughout.
In-house customs clearingYour bill of entry is prepared by TSI's own SARS-registered customs team — not outsourced. Faster turnaround and direct accountability when something needs to be resolved.
Landed cost accuracyWe calculate your full landed cost before you commit — airfreight, airline surcharges, handling, duties, VAT and delivery included. No surprise invoices after the fact.
Digital Control Tower visibilityEvery air freight shipment is visible in the TSI platform in real time. Track flight status, customs release and document readiness from one screen.
IATA dangerous goods complianceTSI prepares correct DG documentation in-house. No last-minute rejections at the airline counter because documentation was wrong or incomplete.
20 years of South African customs knowledgeWe know the tariff codes, the SARS risk channels and the documentation requirements that trip up less experienced operators. That translates directly into faster release and fewer delays.
Frequently asked questions
Air freight questions, answered
What South African importers ask us most often about air freight.
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Air freight makes sense when speed is more important than cost, when the value of your cargo justifies a higher freight rate, or when sea freight lead times would break your supply chain. Typical situations include production line shortages requiring urgent spare parts, time-sensitive product launches, small high-value consignments where the freight cost is a small percentage of cargo value, and emergency replenishment when sea freight inventory runs out.
Sea freight from China to South Africa takes 22 to 28 days. Air freight on the same lane takes 3 to 5 days. If your business can absorb a 25-day lead time, sea freight will almost always be the right choice on cost. If it cannot, air freight is the correct tool.
TSI will give you an honest answer on which mode is right for your shipment. We do not push air freight when sea freight will serve you better.
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Direct flights from Shanghai Pudong or Guangzhou to Johannesburg OR Tambo take approximately 14 to 16 hours in the air. With cut-off times, cargo acceptance, transit through Dubai or other hubs and customs clearance at OR Tambo, most air freight shipments from China are delivered in South Africa within 3 to 5 working days from collection at origin.
Express services can deliver in 2 to 3 working days on some routings. Economy air freight with less direct routings can take 5 to 7 working days.
TSI will confirm transit time and routing options when we quote so you can make the right decision for your timeline.
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Air freight is charged on chargeable weight, which is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is calculated by dividing the total volume of your cargo in cubic centimetres by 6000. If your cargo is physically light but large in volume — such as packaging or foam products — the volumetric weight will determine the freight charge.
For example, a box measuring 60cm x 40cm x 30cm has a volume of 72,000 cubic centimetres. Divided by 6000, the volumetric weight is 12kg. If the actual weight of the box is 8kg, you are charged at 12kg.
TSI calculates chargeable weight accurately when we quote so there are no surprises on the final invoice. We also advise on packaging optimisation where it can reduce your volumetric weight and freight cost.
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Yes. TSI handles IATA-classified dangerous goods by air including flammables, corrosives, oxidisers, toxic substances, lithium batteries and other regulated materials. Our team prepares the Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods, coordinates with airlines that accept the specific DG class and ensures packaging, labelling and documentation comply fully with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Not all dangerous goods can travel on passenger aircraft. Some classes are restricted to freighter-only operations. TSI will confirm what can move and on which airlines before you commit to a booking.
If your current air freight provider has had DG shipments rejected at the airline counter, contact us. Incorrect or incomplete DG documentation is the most common cause and it is entirely avoidable.
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The core documents for an air freight import into South Africa are: a commercial invoice, packing list, airway bill (AWB) and, where applicable, certificates of origin, import permits and DG documentation.
SARS requires a bill of entry (DA 306) to be lodged before your cargo can be released from the airport warehouse. TSI's in-house customs team prepares and lodges the bill of entry, handles tariff classification and calculates duties and VAT — all in advance so that release happens as quickly as possible after the aircraft lands.
Air freight cargo that is not cleared promptly accrues airline storage charges that escalate quickly. TSI's advance preparation eliminates storage costs as a routine expense.
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TSI handles customs clearing in-house. You do not need a separate clearing agent. The same team that books your flight, prepares your airway bill and tracks your shipment also prepares your bill of entry with SARS.
This matters for air freight more than any other mode because the window between aircraft arrival and the start of airline storage charges is short. When your freight forwarder and your clearing agent are two different companies, documentation gets stuck between them. When it is one team, it does not.
TSI is a licensed SARS customs clearing agent. All bills of entry are prepared and lodged by our own people.
Get started
Need to move cargo urgently? Get an air freight quote today.
Tell us your origin, cargo type, weight and dimensions and we will come back to you with routing options, transit times and a full landed cost — airfreight, duties, handling and delivery included. No obligation.
Contact Olivia at TSI. We respond within one business day.
Request a quote