Air Freight
Fully Owned Border Offices
Real Operational Visibility
On-site Clearance Management
At Ziegler South Africa, air freight is built on disciplined planning, operational control, and reliability. As an IATA-accredited air freight forwarder, supported by the Ziegler global network, we deliver international air freight solutions to and from key trade destinations worldwide.
Our Operations
With daily departures, multiple carrier options, and structured milestone visibility, we support the efficient movement of urgent, high-value, time-sensitive, and complex cargo.
From airport-to-airport movements to fully managed door-to-door solutions, our services are aligned to your operational requirements, compliance obligations, and commercial priorities.
Our day-to-day air freight services include back-to-back shipments, consolidations with defined door-to-door transit times, and direct (straight) shipments.
Our teams manage:
- Flight planning and routing optimisation
- Consolidation or dedicated uplift
- Customs coordination
- Proactive shipment monitoring
Think Global.
Act Local.
Backed by global network support and strong local execution, we reduce uncertainty in the air freight process and keep your supply chain moving.
Our Air Freight Services
Consolidation (Economy Air Freight)
When cost efficiency is the priority, our economy air freight service provides a commercially balanced solution. Cargo is consolidated with compatible shipments and moved on pre-allocated departures across established trade routes. By optimising space and planning extended transit times, we provide predictable, cost-effective air freight without compromising visibility or service integrity.
First Commercial
For shipments requiring faster transit times or greater routing flexibility, First Commercial offers enhanced control.
Suitable for:
- Time-sensitive shipments outside standard consolidation schedules
- Cargo moving beyond established consolidation gateways
- Dangerous Goods (DGR)
- Out-of-Gauge (OOG) Cargo
- Specialised Consignments
Space allocation remains subject to carrier availability and route conditions.
First Commercial Express
When urgency is critical, First Commercial Express secures priority carrier capacity where available.
Designed for:
- Aircraft on Ground (AOG)
- Urgent Medical Supplies
- Critical Spare Parts
- Mission-Critical Freight
We coordinate closely with carriers and manage milestones proactively to reduce transit risk. Express capacity remains route and availability dependent, and we will advise upfront on feasibility.
Cargo Assembly (Consignee Consolidation)
Cargo Assembly enables importers to combine multiple supplier shipments into a single airwaybill at origin.
This approach can reduce:
- Multiple shipment minimum charges
- Repeated customs clearances
- Destination handling duplication
Consolidation across multiple European origins may be possible, subject to regulatory and operational feasibility. We assess your supply chain structure and confirm whether this solution delivers measurable efficiency benefits.
Charter Services (Full or Part Aircraft)
For time-critical, oversized, or specialised cargo, we structure full and part aircraft charter solutions.
Appropriate for:
- Heavy or Out-of-Gauge Cargo
- Hazardous Goods
- Remote or Restricted destinations
- Just-in-time Operational Requirements
Charter movements require detailed planning, regulatory coordination, and advance financial structuring. Our team manages this process to ensure secure and compliant execution.
Aircraft Clearance
Ziegler South Africa is a recognised specialist in full aircraft clearance.
Our expertise includes:
- Assessment & Valuation of Aircraft Lease and Sale Agreements
- Structuring Customs and VAT Treatment
- Supporting Compliant Cash Flow Planning
- Temporary Import and Export Clearances for aircraft and engines undergoing maintenance
- Management of aircraft lease clearances
Early engagement, ideally prior to agreement finalisation, allows us to guide regulatory and financial structuring appropriately. Our aircraft clearance service is supported by a dedicated tracking registry, enabling:
- Monitoring of Clearance Timelines
- Compliance Milestone Notification
- Management of Maintenance Bonds Under Temporary Admission
- Structured Oversight During the Aircraft’s Stay in South Africa
With deep regulatory knowledge and operational experience, we make aircraft clearance controlled, compliant, and predictable.