The Hidden Costs of Dead Air

When shipping internationally via air cargo, carriers charge based on the greater of actual weight or volumetric (dimensional) weight. If you are shipping a lightweight item in a massive box, you are paying for dead air.

"Optimizing box dimensions can reduce international air freight costs by up to 35% for apparel and home goods brands." — Packaging Institute

Best Practices for Air Cargo Packaging

To maximize safety and minimize costs, follow these proven guidelines:

• Use Right-Sized Boxes: Invest in 3-4 custom box sizes that snugly fit your product variants to minimize dunnage (void fill).
• Poly Mailers for Soft Goods: For apparel and non-fragile items, switch from corrugated boxes to durable poly mailers to eliminate volumetric weight penalties.
• High-Impact Bubble Wrap: Use minimal but effective protective layers for fragile items instead of heavy foam blocks.
• Moisture Control: International cargo experiences temperature shifts; always include silica desiccant packets to prevent mold and moisture damage.

Automated Packaging with Airbezz

Our warehouse team uses smart cartonization software that automatically calculates the smallest possible box size for any given order combination, ensuring you never overpay for shipping.