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Air cargo freight from China to Tehran, Iran – seamless access to Iranian markets
Premium airfreight solutions from all major Chinese gateways (PVG, PEK, CAN, SZX, HKG, CKG) to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA). Leverage top carriers: Mahan Air, China Southern, Emirates, Turkish Cargo, Qatar Cargo, and more.
8+
Chinese origin airports
6
Major airlines
4-7 days
Door-to-door transit

China‑Iran airfreight corridor: strategic & growing
With Belt and Road initiatives and strong bilateral trade, air cargo between China and Tehran has surged. Imports of machinery, auto parts, pharmaceuticals, electronics and textiles require fast, reliable logistics. Our dedicated Iran desk provides end-to-end solutions from pickup at Chinese factories to customs clearance at IKA and final delivery across Iran.
Reliable transit times
Direct freighter flights from Southern China to Tehran in 3-4 days; consolidated services with single transit (DXB/IST/AUH) in 5-7 days. Guaranteed uplift for urgent cargo with priority boarding.
Compliance & sanctions expertise
Our team ensures full compliance with all applicable trade regulations, providing lawful cargo handling, proper documentation, and risk-free routing. We work with licensed carriers and banks for seamless transactions.
Value-added services
Consolidation, deconsolidation, warehousing, DG handling (IATA), and project cargo. Dedicated customer support in English, Chinese.
✈️ Chinese gateways with direct/1-stop airfreight to Tehran (IKA)
Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
Carriers: China Southern Mahan Air (direct) Emirates (via DXB) Turkish Cargo (via IST) Qatar Cargo (via DOH)
Daily cargo capacity; weekly freighter to IKA via CAN or DXB. All-in rates for general, pharma, auto parts.
Beijing (PEK)
Carriers: Mahan Air (charter) China Southern Emirates Turkish Airlines
Belly capacity + cargo uplift via transfer points. Best for industrial components, medical devices.
Guangzhou (CAN)
Carriers: Mahan Air (direct A340 freighter) China Southern Emirates
Direct freighter service per week to IKA – best transit time (48h). Ideal for electronics, e‑commerce, dangerous goods.
Shenzhen (SZX)
Carriers: China Southern Mahan Air (via CAN/HKG) Cathay Cargo
Trucking to CAN/HKG for consolidation. High-tech products, batteries, and consumer goods.
Hong Kong (HKG)
Carriers: Mahan Air (weekly freighter) Emirates SkyCargo Qatar Cargo Turkish Cargo
Multiple one-stop connections; unrestricted cargo types. Premium pharma and valuable cargo solutions.
Chongqing (CKG) / Chengdu (CTU)
Carriers: China Southern (via CAN) Emirates (via DXB) Air China Cargo
Western China manufacturing hub, cost-effective air freight for auto parts and machinery.
Additionally, we cover secondary origins like Xiamen (XMN), Nanjing (NKG), Qingdao (TAO) via feeder trucking to primary hubs, ensuring no cargo is left behind.
✈️ Prime airlines & their China → Tehran (IKA) cargo solutions
Mahan Air (W5)
Iran's leading carrier – direct freighter flights from Guangzhou (CAN) and Hong Kong (HKG) to IKA. Weekly A340-600 and B747 freighter capacity. Best for heavy lift, oversized items. Transit time: 2‑3 days.
China Southern Cargo (CZ)
Largest Chinese carrier – reliable belly + freighter capacity from PVG, PEK, CAN to IKA via connections (CAN-DXB-IKA). Strong pharma & perishables handling. Weekly cargo uplift ~200 tonnes.
Emirates SkyCargo (EK)
Via DXB hub – daily connections from all major Chinese airports (PVG, PEK, CAN, HKG) to Dubai, with onward trucking or short-haul to IKA. Excellent for high-tech, e-commerce, rapid consolidation.
Turkish Cargo (TK)
Via Istanbul IST – wide network from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong to IST, then second flight to IKA. Ideal for European onward distribution, time-sensitive shipments.
Qatar Cargo (QR)
One-stop via DOH – from Mainland China and HKG to Doha, then freighter to Tehran. Competitive rates for general cargo, plus cool chain options.
Air China & Cathay Cargo
Air China (CA) offers belly capacity from PEK via third countries. Cathay Cargo from HKG offers premium connections to IKA through DXB/AUH/IST. Both ideal for valuable cargo, pharma.
Airline comparison: speed, cost & special capabilities China→Tehran
| Airline | Route type | Avg total transit (days) | Special cargo advantages | Weekly frequency (freighter+belly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahan Air | Direct CAN/HKG- IKA | 2-3 | Heavy lift, oversize, High security, charter | 4-5 freighter rotations |
| China Southern | 1-stop via CAN/DXB | 4-5 | Perishables, cost-effective | 7+ (belly + shared freighter) |
| Emirates | 1-stop via DXB + truck | 4-6 | Cool chain, digital tracking, global hub | Daily passenger belly + freighter |
| Turkish Cargo | 1-stop via IST | 5-7 | European bridge, dangerous goods | 10+ belly connections |
| Qatar Cargo | 1-stop via DOH | 5-6 | Pharma & Valuable, competitive rates | 6-8 weekly |
Why Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA) is the ideal gateway
IKA is Iran's primary international cargo hub, equipped with modern cold storage, customs bonded zones, and 24/7 handling. With recent infrastructure upgrades, it offers faster clearance and reduced ground handling times. Our local partner agents ensure immediate cargo release and onward distribution to major cities (Tabriz, Isfahan, Mashhad). We provide door-to-door service including customs representation and trucking to your consignee.
- Direct access to Iranian industrial heartland
- Dedicated cargo village with cold chain facilities
- Efficient transit for pharmaceuticals & perishables
- Growing air trade volume with China & South Asia
- 24-hour customs clearance for prioritized cargo
Competitive airfreight rates – Get a real-time budget estimate
Sample rates (USD/kg) from Chinese hubs to IKA – for general cargo, 100kg+.
| Origin | Direct / Indirect | 100-300kg | 300-1000kg | 1000kg+ | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVG (Shanghai) | 1-stop via DXB/IST | $4.20 | $3.70 | $3.25 | 4-6 days |
| CAN (Guangzhou) | Direct Mahan Air | $4.50 | $3.90 | $3.40 | 2-3 days |
| SZX (Shenzhen) | 1-stop via CAN/DXB | $4.30 | $3.80 | $3.35 | 4-5 days |
| PEK (Beijing) | 1-stop via DXB/AUH | $4.35 | $3.85 | $3.30 | 4-6 days |
| HKG (Hong Kong) | 1-stop (DXB/IST) | $3.90 | $3.45 | $3.00 | 3-5 days |
| CKG (Chongqing) | 1-stop via CAN/DXB | $4.40 | $3.90 | $3.45 | 5-7 days |
*Rates are indicative, subject to fuel and seasonality. For a firm quote including pickup, customs, and insurance, click below. We offer volume discounts for regular shipments.
Specialized cargo expertise for Iran imports
Pharma & cold chain
Temperature-controlled shipments: active containers (2-8°C, 15-25°C). IKA has dedicated pharma corridor; we manage GDP compliance from factory to Tehran.
Dangerous Goods (DG)
Fully licensed for lithium batteries, chemicals, aerosols. Mahan Air and Emirates accept DG from Chinese stations with proper documentation.
Project & heavy cargo
Charter coordination for oil & gas, industrial machinery, oversized pieces up to 12 tonnes. IKA's runway handles AN-124.
Secure & compliant logistics – peace of mind
Shipping to Iran requires specialized knowledge of trade controls. Our compliance team screens all cargo against international sanctions lists, implements lawful payment structures, and ensures proper end-use documentation. We work exclusively with reputable carriers and banks that support Iran transactions under permitted frameworks. Cargo insurance (All Risk, Institute Cargo Clauses) is available at competitive premiums, protecting your goods from warehouse to warehouse.
Don't let logistical complexity slow your business. Tap into the growing China-Iran air trade lane with a freight partner that delivers reliability, speed, and transparency.
One point of contact for China–Iran air freight
We handle everything: origin pickup, export docs, airline booking, consolidation, customs clearance in Tehran, and final delivery. No hidden fees, 24/7 visibility, and dedicated Farsi/English logistics coordinator.
