Air freight is the expensive way to reach PNG, and also the only sensible one when a mine is waiting on a part or a clinic needs supplies this week. Used well, it's a precise tool. Used by default, it's a quick way to blow a freight budget.
This guide covers how air cargo moves from Australia to PNG, how it's priced, and how to keep it moving through clearance at the other end. For sea freight and the full process, see our complete guide to shipping from Australia to PNG.
Key points
- International air cargo to PNG arrives at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby.
- Air Niugini and Qantas fly to Port Moresby from Brisbane and Sydney, and Air Niugini also flies from Cairns.
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual and volumetric weight, at roughly 167 kg per cubic metre.
- Dangerous goods such as lithium batteries, aerosols and paints must meet airline rules before they're accepted.
- Air cargo goes through the same PNG Customs and NAQIA clearance as sea freight.
When air freight makes sense
Air freight earns its premium when the cost of waiting is higher than the cost of flying. Typical examples on the PNG lane include:
- breakdown parts for mining, construction or power generation equipment
- medical supplies, vaccines and laboratory samples
- documents, electronics and other small, high-value goods
- urgent stock for retail or hospitality
- the essentials of a household move, sent ahead while furniture travels by sea.
For anything heavy or bulky that can wait a few weeks, sea freight is far cheaper. Our guide to the cost of shipping from Australia to PNG compares the two.
How air cargo gets to PNG
International air cargo to PNG lands at Jacksons International Airport, about eight kilometres from central Port Moresby. Air Niugini, the national airline, flies there from Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns, and Qantas flies from Brisbane and Sydney. Most of this capacity is in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft, supplemented at times by freighter and charter services.
Brisbane is the main origin for PNG air cargo, with forwarders consolidating shipments from across the country. Flight time from Brisbane to Port Moresby is a little over three hours, so the real timeframe depends on booking, screening, clearance and onward delivery rather than the flight.
For destinations beyond the capital, cargo usually continues on domestic flights. Air Niugini and PNG Air both fly from Port Moresby to centres such as Lae, Mount Hagen, Goroka, Rabaul and Madang. Our guide to shipping to regional PNG and the Highlands covers onward options.
Chargeable weight explained
Airlines charge on whichever is greater: the actual weight of your shipment or its volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is calculated by multiplying length, width and height in centimetres and dividing by 6,000, which works out to roughly 167 kilos for every cubic metre.
Example
A carton measuring 60 × 50 × 40 cm weighs 12 kg. Its volumetric weight is 60 × 50 × 40 ÷ 6,000 = 20 kg, so you pay for 20 kg. Repack the same goods into a 50 × 40 × 30 cm carton and the volumetric weight drops to 10 kg, so you pay for the actual 12 kg.
Rates per kilo usually fall at set weight breaks, so a larger consignment can cost less per kilo than a small one. Express couriers often use a smaller divisor of 5,000, which makes bulky parcels comparatively dearer. Packing tightly is the cheapest way to cut air freight costs.
Air freight or express courier?
| Factor | Air freight (forwarder) | Express courier |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Consignments from about 50 kg upwards, pallets, commercial cargo | Documents and parcels up to a few tens of kilos |
| Service | Airport-to-airport or door-to-door through a forwarder | Door-to-door, with tracking and clearance handled by the courier |
| Pricing | Per chargeable kilo with weight breaks, plus origin and destination fees | All-in rate per parcel, higher per kilo |
| Clearance | Through the importer's licensed customs broker | Usually arranged by the courier, with duty and GST billed to the receiver |
For boxes going to family, see our guide to sending boxes and parcels to PNG, which also compares Australia Post and consolidated sea freight.
Dangerous goods by air
Many everyday items are classed as dangerous goods for air transport, including lithium batteries, aerosols, paints, adhesives, fuel-containing equipment, compressed gases and some chemicals. They can often fly, but only if they're correctly classified, packed, marked, labelled and declared under the airline's dangerous goods rules by someone trained to do it.
Undeclared dangerous goods are a safety risk and a legal one. They're also a common reason air shipments are offloaded at the last minute. If you're unsure, tell your forwarder what's in the shipment, including batteries inside equipment, before you book.
Documents and clearance
- an air waybill, issued by the airline or forwarder
- a commercial invoice with a genuine value and description
- a packing list with weights and dimensions
- an export declaration where the consignment is worth AUD 2,000 or more or needs an export permit
- a dangerous goods declaration where required.
Air cargo in Australia must also be security screened or come from a secure supply chain before it's loaded, which your forwarder arranges.
In Port Moresby, air cargo goes through the same process as sea freight: an import entry lodged by a licensed customs broker, assessment of duty and GST, and NAQIA inspection where needed. Our step-by-step guide to PNG customs clearance covers it, and our guide to cargo delays in PNG explains how to keep urgent shipments moving.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send air freight directly to Lae?
International air cargo generally arrives in Port Moresby. From there it can continue on a domestic flight to Lae's Nadzab Airport, or travel by sea.
How quickly does air freight reach PNG?
Usually within a few days of booking, provided the documents are ready, the cargo is screened in time and clearance is straightforward.
Can I send lithium batteries by air to PNG?
Often yes, but they must be packed and declared under the airline's dangerous goods rules. Some battery types and sizes are restricted, so check with your forwarder first.
Part of our complete guide
This article is one step in Shipping from Australia to PNG: The Complete Guide. Other guides in the "planning and choosing an option" stage:
This guide is general information, current at the date of last review. Rates, schedules, duty rates and procedures change, so confirm the details of your shipment with a licensed freight forwarder or customs broker before you act.