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Robin Transportation Systems Inc.

Air Freight Services from Toronto

Air Freight

IATA-Affiliated Forwarding Worldwide

Consolidated, express, next flight out, and charter. DG capable. Licensed customs broker partner. Quotes within 1-2 hours.

30+ YearsIATA Certified15-Min Response

Key Features

IATA affiliated
Domestic and international
Time-sensitive shipments
Expedited and next flight out

Air Freight Services

Choose the speed and cost balance that fits your shipment.

Consolidated Air

Consolidated Air

5-10 daysMost cost-effective

Non-urgent, cost-sensitive

Standard Air

Standard Air

3-7 daysModerate

Regular shipments

Express / NFO

Express / NFO

1-3 daysPremium

Urgent, time-critical

Charter

Charter

CustomHighest

Oversized, heavyweight, emergency

Air vs Ocean

Air costs 4-5x more but arrives in days, not weeks.

FactorAirOcean
Transit time1-10 days20-45 days
Cost4-5x higherBaseline
Best forHigh-value, time-sensitive, perishableHeavy, large, cost-sensitive
Weight sweet spotUnder 500 kgOver 1 CBM / 500 kg
DG handlingStrict IATA regsIMO/IMDG (more permissive)
Ocean Freight Services →
Comparison of air freight and ocean freight showing cargo aircraft on tarmac above and container ship at port below

Dangerous Goods by Air

IATA DGR compliant. All 9 classes. We handle classification, packaging requirements, Shipper's Declaration, and labeling.

Dangerous goods container with hazard diamond placards at freight yardDangerous Goods Services →
ClassTypePassengerCargo
1ExplosivesRestrictedSome divisions
2GasesSomeYes
3Flammable liquidsLimitedYes
4Flammable solidsRestrictedSome
5OxidizersLimitedYes
6Toxic substancesVery limitedYes
7RadioactiveRestrictedYes
8CorrosivesLimitedYes
9Misc (batteries, dry ice)ConditionalYes

What Fits on Air Freight

ULD containers, dimensional weight, and when to go charter.

LD3 (AKE)

Volume: 4.3 m3 / 153 cu ft

Max weight: 1,588 kg (3,500 lbs)

Fits: Wide-body lower deck

LD7 (PAJ)

Volume: 10.2 m3 / 360 cu ft

Max weight: 4,626 kg (10,197 lbs)

Fits: Wide-body lower deck

M1 (AMA)

Volume: 17.6 m3 / 621 cu ft

Max weight: 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs)

Fits: Wide-body main deck

Dimensional Weight

Air freight pricing uses the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight.

Metric: L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6,000 = kg

Imperial: L × W × H (in) ÷ 366 = lbs

Comparison of belly cargo hold in a passenger aircraft versus a fully loaded dedicated freighter aircraft on a dusk tarmac

Transit Times from Toronto

Airport-to-airport, standard service. Door-to-door adds 2-5 days.

Globe at night showing air freight routes from Toronto to London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Los Angeles
Toronto (YYZ) to London (LHR)1-2 days
Toronto (YYZ) to Frankfurt (FRA)1-2 days
Toronto (YYZ) to Dubai (DXB)2-3 days
Toronto (YYZ) to Hong Kong (HKG)2-3 days
Toronto (YYZ) to Shanghai (PVG)2-4 days
Toronto (YYZ) to Mumbai (BOM)2-4 days
Toronto (YYZ) to Los Angeles (LAX)Same day / next day
Airport cargo facility at Toronto Pearson with aircraft at cargo stands

Toronto Pearson (YYZ): Canada's Air Cargo Hub

Top 30

globally for air cargo volume

45%+

of Canada's air cargo processed here

1.23M

sq ft of cargo warehouse space

3

dedicated cargo facilities

  • Cargo West (Infield) - 566,000 sq ft, multi-tenant
  • Cargo East (VISTA) - 318,000 sq ft, CBSA on-site
  • Cargo North - 346,000 sq ft, FedEx exclusive

How Air Freight Shipping Works

Request a Quote1

Request a Quote

Call, email, or form. We respond within 15 minutes.

Booking & Documentation2

Booking & Documentation

We select the right tier and prepare all documentation.

Pickup & Handling3

Pickup & Handling

Cargo collected, packed, labeled, delivered to YYZ.

Customs & Compliance4

Customs & Compliance

Our team coordinates with licensed customs broker partners on clearance at both ends.

Delivery Confirmed5

Delivery Confirmed

Proof of delivery and full documentation provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about air freight from Toronto.

How much does air freight cost from Toronto?
Rates depend on weight (actual vs volumetric), origin/destination, service tier, and commodity. Consolidated air is the most cost-effective; express and charter are premium. Air freight typically costs 4-5x more than ocean but arrives in days instead of weeks. Contact us for a detailed quote. We respond within 15 minutes.
How long does air freight take for international shipments?
Airport-to-airport: London 1-2 days, Shanghai 2-4 days, Dubai 2-3 days. Total door-to-door adds 2-5 days for pickup, customs, airline handling, and delivery. Express/NFO can cut transit to 1-3 days on most routes.
Can you ship dangerous goods by air in Canada?
Yes. RTSI coordinates IATA Dangerous Goods shipments through certified carrier partners. All 9 DG classes can be shipped by air with proper classification, packaging, labeling, and documentation. Some classes are restricted to cargo-only aircraft. We manage the Shipper's Declaration and all compliance requirements.
What is the difference between consolidated and express air freight?
Consolidated air groups multiple shippers' cargo into shared space on fixed schedules (5-10 days, lowest cost). Express/NFO books your cargo on the next available flight with priority handling (1-3 days, premium pricing). Standard air falls between the two (3-7 days, moderate cost).
What documents are needed for air freight shipping?
At minimum: Air Waybill (AWB), commercial invoice, packing list. For Canadian imports over $2,500 CAD: Canada Customs Invoice (CCI). For DG: IATA Shipper's Declaration. For duty-preferential trade: Certificate of Origin. Our team prepares and reviews all documentation.
What is an IATA-affiliated freight forwarder?
Through affiliated company Air & Sea Forwarders, RTSI has access to IATA cargo agent credentials that meet financial soundness criteria and professional training standards set by the International Air Transport Association. This supports direct airline bookings across 250+ carriers in 90+ countries.
When should I use air freight instead of ocean freight?
Choose air when: shipments are under 500 kg, goods are time-sensitive or perishable, the value-to-weight ratio is high, or production delays require expedited delivery. Ocean is better for heavy/bulky cargo where transit time is flexible.
Does RTSI offer air freight charter services?
Yes. Charter provides a dedicated aircraft with custom routing and timing. Ideal for oversized cargo, emergency shipments, or loads exceeding 5 tonnes. Call or email us for charter quotes.