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Don’t Miss These Opportunities in the Europe, US, Canada & Mexico Air Freight Market

Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-15 Origin: Site

In the global air freight sector, Europe, the US, Canada, and Mexico are forming a "new triangular pattern"—three key developments (the EU’s upcoming carbon tax, US factory relocations to Mexico, and denser intra-North American routes) are directly impacting Chinese enterprises’ exports.

1. Europe: Carbon Tax Countdown, Cargo Transport Varies by Type

Before the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) takes effect in 2026, it is currently most cost-effective to ship high-carbon cargo (such as steel and aluminum) from China to Europe. Demand for such cargo rose 18% month-on-month in September-October, and Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is nearly fully booked for Chinese cargo aircraft.

However, there are significant differences between cargo types:

Chinese exports of medical equipment and green technology products are moving smoothly, with customs clearance time reduced by 20% compared to before, and demand up 7%-9%.
Traditional industrial goods still have available space, with London and Paris airports offering flexible cargo space allocation.

Additionally, attention should be paid to environmental costs:

For Chinese cargo taking Mediterranean transit routes, transit costs increase by 5%-8%.
After airlines adopt "sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)", the cost of carbon-neutral routes from China to Europe becomes even higher.

Transatlantic routes are underperforming: Due to lower US-EU tariffs, air freight volume of Chinese-made auto parts rose 9% in September, but overall growth was only 2.3%—far less robust than China-Europe routes, as enterprises prefer closer supply sources.

2. North America: Mexico Becomes a Transit Hub for Chinese Cargo; Canadian Demand Rises

As US factories relocate to Mexico, Mexico has become a "springboard" for Chinese cargo entering North America:

In 2025, the growth rate of Chinese cargo transshipped from Mexico to the US will reach 12% (mainly electronics and auto parts). The Chinese cargo route from Zhengzhou to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) will be expanded to one daily flight next year, with fresh produce and e-commerce goods accounting for the largest share.

Currently, Chinese cargo is first shipped to Mexico, then transshipped to Texas (US), arriving within two days. Although the cost is higher than direct flights from China, it saves 3-5 days in transit time.

Canadian demand for Chinese cargo is growing:

Flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Shanghai and Beijing have resumed daily service. The air freight time for Chinese imports of Canadian lobster and beef has been reduced by 2-3 days.
More Chinese exports of semiconductor equipment are entering North America via Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), with volume up 18% this year.

However, air freight costs within the US have risen, prompting some Chinese e-commerce cargo to switch to the "China-Mexico-US road" transportation model.

3. Regional Linkages Facilitate Transit, but Chinese Exporters Need to Avoid Two Pitfalls

Intra-US-Mexico-Canada routes are now extremely dense, facilitating the transit of Chinese cargo:

There are 10 weekly flights from Monterrey International Airport (NLU, Mexico) to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ, Canada). 23% of Chinese cargo is first shipped to Mexico to avoid EU carbon taxes when transshipped to Europe. The share of Chinese transit cargo in intra-North American air freight has risen from 38% to 45%.

Nevertheless, Chinese exporters must watch out for two issues:

Slow customs clearance in Mexico: The delay rate has risen from 8% to 14%, which may slow down the transit of Chinese cargo.
Insufficient airport capacity: Mexico’s new airports have a 15% capacity shortfall, and Frankfurt Airport (FRA) has reduced Chinese cargo flights by 10% at night—leading to potential space shortages during peak seasons.

4. 3 Practical Recommendations for Smoother Chinese Exports

Optimize Europe-bound cargo transport:

For urgent, high-value Chinese cargo: Use Frankfurt Airport (FRA) or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
For high-carbon cargo: Ship before the end of this year, or transit via Turkey or North Africa to avoid the EU carbon tax.

Focus on two key locations for North America:

Chinese enterprises should set up distribution centers in Mexico, and use the "China-Mexico (NLU/MEX)-US" route to save 20% in transit time.
For Canada routes: Prioritize fresh produce imports and semiconductor equipment exports.

Cost-saving strategies:

For China-Europe routes: Use a portion of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce carbon-related costs.
For transatlantic cargo: First ship by sea from China to Europe, then transfer to air freight—saving 18%-22% in costs.

The "rules of the game" for air freight from China to Europe, the US, Canada, and Mexico are changing: The EU carbon tax will increase costs for Chinese high-carbon cargo, and US "nearshoring" has made Mexico a new hub for Chinese cargo. The old approach of "direct flights from China to Europe/US" is no longer sufficient.

To avoid pitfalls, Chinese enterprises should focus on two directions:

"Avoid the carbon tax": Ship high-carbon cargo to Europe before the tax is expanded, or use transit routes.
"Localized supply": Pre-position Chinese cargo in warehouses in Mexico and Canada for faster transshipment to North America.

Targeting the core needs of Chinese enterprises exporting to Europe, the US, Canada, and Mexico, Haituo United Supply Chain—specializing in "one-stop air freight from China to Europe, US, Canada, and Mexico"—has designed air freight products departing from multiple Chinese cities. It eliminates the need for enterprises to coordinate with airlines or manage transit independently, covering the entire process from cargo pickup in China to customs clearance in Europe/US/Canada/Mexico. This precisely meets the needs of "avoiding carbon taxes" and "localized supply", helping Chinese cargo efficiently reach target markets.

STU Supply Chain’s Air Freight Products (China to Europe, US, Canada, Mexico)

1. Departures from Shanghai (Eastern China’s core hub, stable frequency)

Shanghai → AMS (Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Europe) | Daily flights
Shanghai → ORD (Chicago O’Hare International Airport, US) | Daily flights
Shanghai → LAX (Los Angeles International Airport, US) | Daily flights
Shanghai (CZ) → NLU (Monterrey International Airport, Mexico, for North American transit) | Weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays
Shanghai (CZ) → YYZ (Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada) | Weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays

2. Departures from Xinjiang (Northwest China’s dedicated route, covering Central Asia to Europe)

Xinjiang (CZ) → TAS (Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Baku, Azerbaijan, for European transit) | Weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays

3. Departures from Shenzhen (Southern China’s hub, direct to Europe)

Shenzhen (CA) → FRA (Frankfurt International Airport, Europe) | Weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays

STU’s Mexico Dedicated Routes (Direct from Multiple Chinese Cities, North American Transit)

1. Departures from Southern China

Shenzhen (CA) → NLU (Monterrey International Airport, Mexico) | Weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
Hong Kong (5Y/CX/CV) → NLU (Monterrey International Airport, Mexico) | Flexible flight options
Macau (QR) → NLU (Monterrey International Airport, Mexico) | Weekly flights on Tuesdays

2. Departures from Central China (Zhengzhou Hub)

Zhengzhou (K4) → NLU (Monterrey International Airport, Mexico) | Weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays
Zhengzhou (A7) → NLU (Monterrey International Airport, Mexico) | Weekly flights on Thursdays, Sundays

3. Direct Flights to Mexico City from Multiple Chinese Cities

Beijing (HU) / Shenzhen (HU/CZ) → MEX (Mexico City International Airport) | Daily flights

China to Europe US Canada Mexico air freight opportunities EU CBAM carbon tax air freight impact Mexico transit hub Chinese cargo exports