Air Freight from China to Latvia — Fast Air Cargo to Riga (RIX)
Unicore moves air cargo from China (PVG, PEK, CAN, HKG) to Riga International Airport (RIX) in 3–7 days, with an indicative rate of €4.50–8.50 per chargeable kg. As Latvia's only dual IATA CASS + DGR certified forwarder, we book directly on carrier allotments and handle dangerous goods, customs and door delivery.
Author credentials: IATA CASS & IATA DGR certified freight forwarder (Riga, Latvia).
Indicative Prices
| Service | Indicative rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Standard air (uFAST) | €4.50–6.50 | per chargeable kg |
| Express air (uEXPRESS) | €6.50–8.50 | per chargeable kg |
| Minimum charge | €120–180 | per shipment |
| Airport customs clearance (RIX) | €90–200 | per declaration |
Prices are indicative for orientation only — request a firm quote. Rates are subject to space and equipment availability, fuel/currency surcharges and season.
Transit Times
| Option | Transit time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Express air | 3–5 days | Priority uplift, next available flight |
| Standard air | 5–7 days | Consolidated via EU hub to RIX |
| Sea (alternative) | 32–45 days | ~10× cheaper per kg for dense cargo |
Departure frequency: Daily uplift capacity via Frankfurt, Helsinki, Istanbul and Warsaw gateways feeding RIX; chargeable weight is the greater of actual and volumetric (1 CBM = 167 kg).
Documents & Customs
Required Export Documents
- Commercial invoice & packing list
- China customs export declaration
- Bill of Lading (sea) / Air Waybill (air) / Rail CIM-SMGS (rail)
- Certificate of Origin (Form A / CO where applicable)
- Fumigation / phytosanitary certificate for wood packaging (ISPM 15)
Required Import Documents
- EU EORI number of the importer
- Import customs declaration (T1 transit if cleared inland)
- Commercial invoice with HS codes & Incoterms
- Proof of value / insurance certificate for duty & VAT calculation
Customs notes: Air imports clear at Riga Airport (RIX) under EU rules: duty per the Common Customs Tariff plus 21% VAT on the CIF value. Lithium batteries, aerosols and other DG must ship under IATA DGR — Unicore is DGR-certified and prepares the Shipper's Declaration in-house.
Major Transport Hubs
Key Facts
- Chargeable weight uses the IATA volumetric rule: 1 m³ = 167 kg (divisor 6000).
- Destination airport is Riga International (RIX); main gateways are Frankfurt (FRA), Helsinki (HEL) and Istanbul (IST).
- Lithium batteries ship as IATA DGR Class 9 and require a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods.
- Unicore is the only Latvian forwarder holding both IATA CASS and IATA DGR accreditation.
- Air imports clear at RIX with 21% VAT plus duty on the CIF value.
- Carrier partners include Lufthansa Cargo, Turkish Cargo, Finnair and airBaltic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.How much does air freight from China cost per kg?
Indicatively €4.50–6.50/kg for standard and €6.50–8.50/kg for express to Riga in 2026, with a €120–180 minimum charge. Rates depend on chargeable weight (the greater of actual and volumetric weight), origin airport and season.
Q.How fast is air freight from China to Riga?
3–5 days for express (uEXPRESS) and 5–7 days for standard (uFAST) airport-to-airport, before customs clearance and final delivery.
Q.Can you ship dangerous goods or batteries by air from China?
Yes. Unicore holds IATA DGR certification and is the only Latvian forwarder with both CASS and DGR accreditation, so we prepare compliant Shipper's Declarations for lithium batteries, aerosols and other regulated air cargo.
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