How long you should expect to wait for your airfreight going into Auckland and Christchurch

Navigating airfreight processing times in Auckland

Currently, Auckland experiences processing times of 6-8 hours between the moment the airline offloads the freight and when the warehouse receives the cargo. During peak seasons with numerous seasonal flights, these times can stretch to 8-10 hours. To err on the side of caution, it's advisable to allow 12 hours, considering potential delays.

It's important to understand that Auckland operates on a booking system, which means there are specific time slots allocated for cargo collection. Air New Zealand offers slots at 4 am and 1 pm, while Menzies Aviation has a slot at 6 am. If the flights land outside these designated time frames, the cargo will not be collected until the next available slot.

How airfreight processing times work in Christchurch

Currently, Christchurch boasts shorter processing times, with 3-5 hours between airline offloading and warehouse reception. However, it is still wise to allow a buffer of 8 hours to account for any unforeseen delays.

Once the cargo is released, the next step is to contact either Air New Zealand or Menzies Aviation to book the collection on the same day. This ensures a streamlined process for further processing and release.

Airfreight versus passenger baggage

It's crucial to recognise that airfreight processing differs significantly from handling passenger baggage. Freight must go through various steps, including transfer from the aircraft to cargo terminals and clearing inspections from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), before it can be processed and released for collection under Customs Bond.

Top tip: Setting realistic time frames

If your cargo is time-sensitive and you have strict deadlines to meet, it's best to engage in open communication with our team. Together, we can work on establishing a realistic time frame for delivery, taking into account the complexities involved in the airfreight process.

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