Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is one of the world’s largest and busiest air cargo hubs, playing a pivotal role in global trade and logistics. Located in China’s financial capital, Shanghai, PVG connects businesses with over 200 international destinations, making it a vital gateway for air freight shipments across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
As China’s primary international cargo airport, PVG handles millions of tons of freight annually, supporting industries such as e-commerce, automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, fashion, and industrial equipment. With a strategic location, advanced cargo handling facilities, and partnerships with leading airlines, PVG offers efficient, cost-effective, and reliable freight solutions for businesses worldwide.
With the rise of global supply chain demands and cross-border e-commerce, Shanghai Pudong International Airport continues to expand its logistics capacity, cargo terminals, and air freight routes to maintain its position as a leading air cargo hub. Whether shipping high-value goods, perishable products, or bulk industrial shipments, PVG provides seamless air freight connectivity to global markets.
Overview and History
Shanghai Pudong International Airport officially opened on October 1, 1999, to accommodate the growing demand for international air travel and cargo transport. It was built to complement and expand upon Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), which primarily serves domestic flights.
Since its opening, PVG has undergone multiple expansions to become one of the largest and busiest airports in the world, handling over 76 million passengers and 4 million metric tons of cargo annually.
Key Facts & Figures
- IATA Code: PVG
- ICAO Code: ZSPD
- Location: Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
- Size: 40 square kilometers
- Terminals: 2 (T1 & T2) + Satellite Terminal (S1 & S2)
- Annual Passenger Traffic: 76+ million (pre-pandemic levels)
- Annual Cargo Volume: 4+ million metric tons
- Runways: 5 (capable of handling large aircraft like the Airbus A380)
PVG continues to expand with new infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing passenger experience, increasing cargo capacity, and improving connectivity.
Cargo Operations: A Global Air Freight Hub
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is one of the world’s busiest cargo airports, handling over 4 million metric tons of air freight annually. It is a critical hub for e-commerce, high-tech industries, and global supply chains.
Key Cargo Features
- Largest air cargo hub in China and among the top three globally.
- Dedicated cargo terminals, operated by major logistics companies such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, and SF Express.
- Specialized facilities for perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and dangerous goods.
- Direct connections to over 200 international cargo destinations.
Major Cargo Airlines at PVG
- FedEx Express – Operates a major hub for international express shipments.
- UPS Airlines – Serves e-commerce and logistics clients.
- DHL Aviation – Provides fast global shipping services.
- SF Express – China’s leading express logistics provider.
- China Cargo Airlines – Specializes in international trade shipments.
Industries Relying on PVG Cargo Services
- E-commerce (Alibaba, JD.com, Amazon, SHEIN)
- Automobile exports
- Medical supplies & pharmaceuticals
- Electronics & semiconductors
- Luxury goods & fashion retail
Shanghai’s PVG cargo operations support China’s role as a global manufacturing and trading powerhouse.
Air Cargo Routes from PVG to Global Airports
Shanghai Pudong International Airport operates extensive freight routes to major international airports, providing businesses with fast and reliable air shipping solutions. Below is a breakdown of key cargo routes, transit times, and estimated costs from PVG.
North America Cargo Routes
| Destination Airport (Country) | Major Airlines | Transit Time | Estimated Cost (USD/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX, USA) | FedEx, UPS, China Cargo Airlines | 2-3 days | $4.50 – $6.00 |
| New York (JFK, USA) | Air China Cargo, DHL, Cargolux | 3-4 days | $4.80 – $6.50 |
| Chicago (ORD, USA) | China Eastern Cargo, American Airlines Cargo | 3-4 days | $4.60 – $6.20 |
| Dallas (DFW, USA) | Qatar Airways Cargo, Atlas Air | 4-5 days | $5.00 – $6.50 |
| Toronto (YYZ, Canada) | Air Canada Cargo, SF Express | 3-5 days | $4.80 – $6.50 |
PVG is a crucial hub for shipments to North America, ensuring quick and efficient delivery for industries such as electronics, automotive components, e-commerce, and industrial machinery. Air freight from PVG to major U.S. and Canadian airports supports businesses by offering fast customs clearance, direct flight options, and competitive pricing for high-volume shipments.
Best for: Electronics, machinery, e-commerce parcels, and automotive parts.
European Cargo Routes
| Destination Airport (Country) | Major Airlines | Transit Time | Estimated Cost (USD/kg) |
| London (LHR, UK) | British Airways Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo | 3-4 days | $4.20 – $5.70 |
| Frankfurt (FRA, Germany) | Air China Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo | 3-4 days | $4.00 – $5.50 |
| Paris (CDG, France) | Air France Cargo, Cargolux | 3-4 days | $4.20 – $5.80 |
| Amsterdam (AMS, Netherlands) | KLM Cargo, China Southern Cargo | 4-5 days | $4.50 – $6.00 |
| Madrid (MAD, Spain) | Iberia Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo | 4-6 days | $4.70 – $6.20 |
Europe is a major market for high-value goods, pharmaceuticals, and fashion products, making PVG a critical logistics hub for companies shipping to London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, and Madrid. With reliable cargo airlines and direct flight options, businesses can ensure efficient supply chain operations and minimize transit delays.
Best for: Fashion, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, and high-value cargo.
Middle East & Africa Cargo Routes
| Destination Airport (Country) | Major Airlines | Transit Time | Estimated Cost (USD/kg) |
| Dubai (DXB, UAE) | Emirates SkyCargo, Qatar Airways Cargo | 2-3 days | $3.80 – $5.30 |
| Jeddah (JED, Saudi Arabia) | Saudia Cargo, Turkish Cargo | 3-5 days | $4.10 – $5.60 |
| Cairo (CAI, Egypt) | EgyptAir Cargo, Turkish Cargo | 3-5 days | $4.30 – $5.80 |
| Johannesburg (JNB, South Africa) | Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo | 4-6 days | $4.80 – $6.40 |
| Nairobi (NBO, Kenya) | Kenya Airways Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo | 3-5 days | $4.40 – $6.00 |
PVG plays a vital role in connecting Middle Eastern and African markets, ensuring rapid shipping solutions for critical industries such as construction materials, consumer electronics, automotive components, and perishables. With direct flight connections and experienced cargo handling facilities, businesses benefit from efficient customs clearance and timely deliveries.
Air freight from PVG to the Middle East is ideal for luxury goods, high-tech products, and industrial materials, while shipments to Africa are commonly used for agricultural equipment, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Given the growing demand in these regions, businesses can benefit from affordable rates and flexible logistics options.
Best for: Industrial equipment, textiles, consumer electronics, and perishables.
Asia-Pacific Cargo Routes
| Destination Airport (Country) | Major Airlines | Transit Time | Estimated Cost (USD/kg) |
| Tokyo (NRT/HND, Japan) | ANA Cargo, Japan Airlines Cargo | 1-2 days | $3.20 – $4.80 |
| Seoul (ICN, South Korea) | Korean Air Cargo, Asiana Cargo | 1-2 days | $3.00 – $4.50 |
| Singapore (SIN, Singapore) | Singapore Airlines Cargo, China Southern Cargo | 2-3 days | $3.50 – $5.00 |
| Bangkok (BKK, Thailand) | Thai Airways Cargo, SF Express | 2-3 days | $3.40 – $4.90 |
| Sydney (SYD, Australia) | Qantas Freight, China Eastern Cargo | 3-5 days | $4.20 – $5.90 |
PVG serves as a key logistics hub for the Asia-Pacific region, offering short transit times and high-frequency cargo flights for businesses involved in technology, e-commerce, fashion, and medical supplies. With efficient air freight connections, shipments to Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia reach their destinations swiftly and cost-effectively.
Best for: Semiconductor components, electronics, cosmetics, and retail goods.
Cargo Handling & Logistics Services at PVG
PVG is equipped with state-of-the-art cargo facilities to ensure efficient handling, secure storage, and seamless transshipment for all types of shipments. The airport’s logistics infrastructure is designed to accommodate high-volume international trade, express shipping, and special cargo requirements.
1. Temperature-Controlled Warehouses
Designed for perishable and temperature-sensitive cargo, including pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, seafood, and dairy products.
Maintains precise temperature control with cold storage and climate-regulated chambers.
Compliant with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and IATA CEIV Pharma for medical shipments.
24/7 monitoring to ensure cargo integrity and prevent spoilage during transit.
2. Express Cargo Handling for Urgent Shipments
Dedicated facilities for FedEx, UPS, DHL, and SF Express, providing priority processing for time-sensitive cargo.
Expedited customs clearance and priority flight scheduling for e-commerce parcels, high-value electronics, and medical supplies.
Integration with automated sorting and real-time tracking to enhance efficiency.
Rapid turnaround times for urgent shipments with minimal layover delays.
3. Bonded Warehouses & Customs Clearance Services
Large-scale bonded warehouses allow for customs-free storage, ideal for e-commerce, international freight consolidation, and duty-free shipments.
Fast-track customs clearance services reduce waiting times and expedite cargo movement.
Automated documentation processing for seamless import and export operations.
Flexible storage solutions with long-term and short-term warehouse leasing options.
4. Dedicated Facilities for Oversized & Heavy Cargo
PVG supports the handling of industrial machinery, aircraft components, automotive parts, and large construction materials.
On-site heavy-lift cranes and specialized equipment ensure safe handling of bulky cargo.
Direct airside access to accommodate freighter-only aircraft for efficient loading and unloading.
Project cargo logistics solutions for complex shipments requiring multimodal transport.
5. Freighter-Only Aircraft Operations
PVG serves as a major hub for freighter aircraft operations, handling cargo flights from Boeing 747-8F, Airbus A330-200F, and Antonov An-124.
Multiple dedicated cargo aprons to support high-capacity freighters.
Seamless interline connections for cargo transfers between airlines, ensuring maximum global reach.
Efficient refueling and turnaround services to minimize downtime and keep flights on schedule.
PVG’s advanced cargo processing capabilities ensure rapid handling, reliable security, and efficient global distribution for a diverse range of air freight shipments. With its modern logistics infrastructure, PVG remains a top choice for businesses looking for seamless international air freight solutions.
Why Choose Tonlexing for Air Cargo Shipping from PVG?
Tonlexing is a leading freight forwarder specializing in air cargo shipping from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to destinations worldwide. With extensive industry experience and strong airline partnerships, we ensure fast, secure, and cost-effective logistics solutions for businesses of all sizes.
What We Offer:
✅ Competitive Freight Rates – Affordable pricing for express, standard, and bulk shipments.
✅ Seamless Customs Clearance – Expert handling of import/export documentation and duty processing.
✅ Flexible Shipping Options – Door-to-door, airport-to-airport, and express shipping solutions.
✅ Specialized Cargo Handling – Secure transport for electronics, pharmaceuticals, perishables, and oversized goods.
✅ Real-Time Tracking & 24/7 Support – Stay informed about your shipment’s status at every stage.
Looking for a reliable shipping solution from PVG? Contact Tonlexing today for a customized air freight quote and experience hassle-free global logistics!
