For companies in high-tech, aerospace MRO, and consumer electronics, expanding into European and U.S. markets is critical for business growth. However, building a stable, efficient, and risk-resilient international air freight supply chain often involves multiple key challenges, such as fluctuations in capacity and rates, uncertainties in customs clearance at destination ports, security risks for high-value cargo, and urgent logistics needs arising from policy changes.
When transporting high-value goods such as semiconductor equipment or aerospace components, any disruption in the supply chain can increase costs or delay deliveries.
This article explores proactive strategies such as Block Space Agreements (BSA) — and end-to-end coordination to help shippers select the right long-haul air freight solutions to Europe and the U.S.
Maximizing the Benefits of Block Space Agreements
In the industry, BSA is commonly recognized for securing capacity and preferable rates. However, for companies striving for supply chain excellence, the value of a BSA goes far beyond these basics.
1. Dedicated Palletization
Under standard air freight arrangements, cargo is often consolidated with shipments from other companies on a single pallet at the airport cargo terminal. A BSA gives 3PLs the right to perform dedicated palletization, allowing high-value, high-precision equipment, such as aerospace components or semiconductor machinery, to be shipped on individual pallets. This reduces handling steps, improves transit times, and minimizes the risk of damage.
When a client needed an urgent shipment of aircraft landing gear and other aerospace parts, Dimerco implemented a dedicated palletization solution. By avoiding consolidation with other cargo, the risk of collisions was eliminated. Upon arrival, the entire pallet was moved as a unit, significantly reducing intermediate handling and pallet breakdown. This approach not only enhanced safety but also optimized overall delivery times.
2. Mitigating Policy Risks
Amid frequent changes in international trade policies, the certainty provided by a BSA becomes increasingly valuable. For example, during critical tariff adjustment periods, stable capacity and flight schedules are crucial for avoiding extra costs. Whether in peak or off-peak seasons, a BSA guarantees that cargo will be loaded onto designated flights as planned, effectively mitigating extra tariff expenses caused by capacity shortages or flight delays, while minimizing the risk of supply chain disruptions.
3. Upgraded Transshipment Solutions
Building on the stable capacity secured by Block Space Agreements, 3PLs with a global perspective can design more cost-effective transshipment solutions. By flexibly leveraging rate differences across regions and optimizing route resources, the role of transit hubs can be maximized to achieve cost efficiency.
In one solution for exports from Vietnam to the U.S., Dimerco leveraged its Southeast Asia network to first move cargo by air to Xiamen, where re-export operations were conducted under applicable policies without the need for import customs clearance. Cargo was then transferred onto BSA-secured flights from Xiamen to the U.S., reducing costs and improving efficiency for large-volume, price-sensitive cargo.
Seamless Last-Mile Connections Are Key
The time-efficiency advantage of air freight relies not only on flight speed but also on the effective coordination of processes before departure and after arrival. A strong destination network and local service capabilities are essential to ensuring smooth last-mile logistics.
| Region | BSA Carrier & Route | Coverage / Key Hubs | Core Services |
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| Europe |
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| U.S. |
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European Routes: Take Luxair’s BSA-secured route for example, the direct flight from Xiamen to Luxembourg is strengthened by Luxair’s extensive trucking network across Europe, which provides seamless connections to other regions. This network covers more than 30 major cities, including Paris, Frankfurt, London, and Milan, with many core locations offering non-trucking service options. This means that once cargo arrives in Luxembourg, it can be distributed rapidly and cost-effectively across Europe.
U.S. Routes: In the case of EVA Air’s BSA-secured route, for cargo departing from Xiamen and arriving at major U.S. gateways such as LAX, DFW, NYC, and ORD, local network coverage and ground handling capabilities upon arrival are critical.
To ensure smooth cargo flow after entry, in addition to standard services at each hub, such as import customs clearance, cross-border trucking, regional distribution, and warehousing, professional freight forwarders also capitalize on the geographic advantages of each gateway. Los Angeles serves the U.S. West Coast, Dallas covers the South-Central region, Chicago connects the Midwest industrial belt, and New York supports the East Coast economic corridor. With well-developed local operations at these hub airports, customized solutions can be provided to meet shippers’ specific needs.
For a shipment of displays for a leading touch technology company, cargo arriving via the U.S. BSA route was seamlessly integrated into Dimerco’s distribution network. Local warehousing services were also provided, offering robust support for temporary storage and cargo flow management.
Logistics Solutions Beyond Transportation
For high-tech and precision manufacturing companies, standardized logistics services often cannot meet their specific needs. Professional, customized services and trade compliance support are particularly important.
1. Customized Services
For high-value cargo such as semiconductor devices or other sensitive equipment, highly tailored white-glove services are required, covering specialized packaging, careful handling, on-site installation, and packaging material recovery. This ensures seamless integration at the client end and enables true door-to-door as well as end-to-end delivery.
White-Glove Logistics for Sensitive High-Tech Equipment
Supporting a global ICT infrastructure company with data center setups worldwide, Dimerco provided destination unpacking and packaging material recovery services. The team ensured that cargo was unpacked on-site and materials cleared efficiently, fulfilling the customer’s delivery needs across Europe, the U.S., and Southeast Asia.
2. Trade Compliance Management
In the face of increasingly complex U.S. import regulations, professional trade compliance services are no longer optional—they are essential. Companies should partner with 3PLs capable of offering end-to-end compliance support, from product classification and origin pre-screening to import security filings, enabling them to proactively prevent customs delays and potential penalties.
Trade Compliance Solutions for Sensitive Cargo
Dimerco provides comprehensive trade compliance services, including import security filing, customs compliance, and declaration services, as well as a free Tariff Impact Calculator to help clients maintain control of their supply chains.
When a company expanding into the U.S. market encountered cargo delays due to compliance issues, Dimerco coordinated a “truck + air” solution as the first case in Xiamen, where trucking was used to replace air transport, alleviating first-leg capacity and inspection issues. After securing the relevant Hong Kong permits, the cargo was trucked from Xiamen to Hong Kong, then transferred to BSA flights to the U.S., ensuring compliant transport of sensitive goods while reducing inspection likelihood and improving transit efficiency.
In another case, a shipment of precision equipment classified as sensitive for U.S. and European export restrictions was halted by the airline due to compliance risks. Dimerco coordinated with multiple parties, assisted in providing additional documentation, and quickly activated backup transport solutions, ensuring the cargo was delivered on time.
Key Considerations When Choosing a 3PL
Based on the analysis above, when evaluating air freight partners for Europe and the U.S., companies are advised to focus on the following key aspects:
- Industry Credentials and Scale: Verify whether the partner holds professional certifications such as C-TPAT, TAPA, or AEO, and whether it has sufficient financial and insurance capacity to handle potential cargo losses in unexpected situations.
- Stability and Control of Resources: Assess whether the partner has a reliable global logistics network and long-term BSA agreements on key routes, which directly determine the resilience of basic services against market fluctuations.
- Destination Network and Operational Efficiency: Examine whether the partner’s local services rely on loosely connected agents or a deeply integrated network, and whether they can provide cost-effective and efficient last-mile distribution solutions.
- Industry Experience and Customization Capabilities: Assess whether the service team has experience in handling non-standard delivery solutions for high-value or sensitive cargo, such as precision equipment (semiconductors, aerospace components) or special cargo (hazardous materials, temperature-controlled goods), and whether they can provide tailored solutions to meet specific operational requirements.
- Compliance Expertise and Contingency Mechanisms: Evaluate whether the partner possesses professional trade compliance advisory capabilities and mature emergency response procedures for unexpected situations.
Ready to Make an Informed Choice?
In the context of global expansion and the “China+1” strategy, competing in the European and U.S. logistics market is no longer about excelling in a single segment. It is about the strength of end-to-end solutions. A stable, flexible, and professional air freight supply chain is a critical foundation for successful market entry and expansion.
Leveraging stable BSA routes to Europe and the U.S., professional trade compliance services, and deep project logistics experience in the electronics and aerospace industries, Dimerco is committed to providing end-to-end logistics solutions that go beyond transportation. Get in touch with a logistics specialist to craft a reliable, end-to-end air freight solution tailored to your needs.
