China Airlines Cargo tracking

Air freight and national carrier of Taiwan since 1959

Founded in 1959, China Airlines quickly developed to become Taiwan's national carrier, and its cargo division has grown over the decades. As early as the 1980s, the company invested in dedicated cargo aircraft to support the island's growing international trade. China Airlines Cargo has gradually risen among the major players in global air freight, regularly ranking high in terms of ton-kilometers transported. In 2011, the company joined the SkyTeam alliance for its passenger activities, and in October 2012 it became a member of the SkyTeam Cargo alliance, thus strengthening its presence and partnerships in the industry.

This integration into a global alliance confirmed its status as a leading freight company. Faced with market changes, China Airlines Cargo has adapted its strategy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period during which air freight became vital. The year 2021 marked a historic record for the cargo division, illustrating China Airlines' ability to optimize its cargo operations when passenger transport was declining. Today, freight represents an essential pillar of the company's activities, significantly contributing to its revenue and international reputation in the freight transport sector.

Cargo services offered by China Airlines Cargo

China Airlines Cargo offers a full range of freight transport services, covering both standard shipments and the most demanding consignments. Among the services offered are:

• General freight: the transport of standard goods (consumer goods, raw materials, industrial parts, etc.) on the company's regular flights. This standard service guarantees professional handling and optimized lead times thanks to China Airlines' extensive route network.
• Express services: for urgent or time-sensitive shipments, priority solutions allow the cargo to be delivered as quickly as possible. These expedited services benefit from dedicated processes to minimize ground waiting times and ensure fast delivery.
• Cargo charters: China Airlines Cargo makes its all-cargo aircraft available for charter flights when the client's needs require a full aircraft (for example, for industrial projects, humanitarian equipment, or exceptional volumes of goods). This flexibility allows for specific requests outside regular schedules and routes.
• Specialized solutions: the company offers tailored services for cargo requiring special handling. This includes dangerous goods (transported in accordance with IATA regulations on dangerous goods), shipments requiring temperature control (via its Cool Chain product for pharmaceuticals or perishables), as well as the transport of live animals (carried out in strict compliance with regulations and animal welfare). Specific equipment, trained personnel, and partnerships with specialized providers ensure the safety and integrity of these sensitive shipments.

In addition, China Airlines Cargo provides its professional customers with digital tools to facilitate procedures. An online booking portal (e-booking) is available to plan shipments, and the company offers the possibility to track shipments in real-time thanks to an efficient electronic tracking system. All these services are provided by experienced staff, ensuring a high and consistent level of quality throughout the entire logistics process.

Global network and logistics sorting centers

With its main hub located at Taipei-Taoyuan International Airport, China Airlines Cargo operates a global network covering Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. The company operates dedicated cargo aircraft (notably Boeing 747-400F and 777F) that connect Taiwan to major international freight hubs. It serves many key airports of global trade such as Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, transporting significant volumes of goods between these economic centers.

China Airlines Cargo also relies on sorting centers and strategic stopovers to optimize its long-haul routes. For example, stopovers in Anchorage (Alaska) allow refueling and segmenting connections between Asia and North America, while regional hubs like Bangkok or Osaka serve as consolidation points in Asia to redistribute freight to Europe or other destinations. In Europe, the company operates cargo flights to airports specialized in freight, such as Luxembourg Airport or Dubai World Central Airport (DWC), to facilitate logistics connections. As a member of SkyTeam Cargo, China Airlines Cargo also benefits from the synergies of this alliance: this allows it to offer its customers expanded access to connections with its partners' networks (such as Air France-KLM Cargo, Delta Cargo, Korean Air Cargo, etc.), thus enhancing its geographical coverage.

Overall, China Airlines Cargo's network connects Taiwan to several dozen countries and nearly two hundred destinations worldwide. This global presence, combined with a modern fleet and efficient handling infrastructure in its sorting centers, gives the company an essential gateway role in international trade exchanges. Cargo operations are centrally coordinated from Taipei, where the company has freight terminals and dedicated teams ensuring the consolidation, temporary storage, and efficient transfer of goods between flights when a connection is necessary.

Logistics process: handling, transit, security

Each shipment entrusted to China Airlines Cargo follows a rigorous logistics process designed to ensure the safety and speed of transport from end to end. The main stages of a cargo's journey are as follows:

• Initial handling: the goods are handed over by the shipper to China Airlines' freight service, either directly at the departure airport's cargo terminal or via an authorized freight agent. At this stage, transport documents (Air Waybill (AWB), customs documents, possible certificates) are checked and issued. A unique AWB number is assigned to the shipment, which will allow it to be tracked throughout the journey.
• Checks and preparation for departure: before boarding, the cargo undergoes strict security checks in accordance with international regulations. This includes X-ray inspection or other detection methods to ensure the absence of prohibited items. At the same time, the goods are weighed, measured, and labeled. Depending on their nature, they may be placed in standardized ULD (unit load devices) containers or secured on pallets to facilitate handling and protect the integrity of the packages. If export customs checks are required (for regulated goods), they are carried out at this stage in collaboration with airport authorities.
• Boarding and departure: once ready, the goods are transported to the cargo aircraft or the passenger aircraft's freight area. Loading on board is carried out using specialized lifting equipment, under the supervision of qualified ground staff. The distribution of weight in the aircraft is carefully managed to comply with centering and flight safety constraints. After loading, the aircraft takes off for the first leg of its itinerary. The shipment status then changes to Departure in the tracking system.
• Possible transit through a sorting center: if the flight includes a stopover (for example, at a regional or technical sorting center), the cargo may be unloaded and then reloaded onto another aircraft for the next leg of the journey. During this transit, the packages may pass through a secure transfer warehouse. China Airlines Cargo strives to minimize transit time and ensure connections between flights to avoid any break in the load. Each movement (arrival at the stopover, then departure from the stopover) is recorded in the internal tracking system.
• Arrival at destination: upon landing of the aircraft at the final destination airport, the goods are carefully unloaded. They are then transferred to the local cargo warehouse of China Airlines or its handling partner. An arrival notice is usually issued to inform the recipient (or their transit agent) that the cargo has arrived and is available for the final steps.
• Import formalities: before being able to retrieve the goods, the recipient must complete the import customs formalities of the destination country. The cargo remains in the customs area during inspections or documentary checks by local authorities (customs, veterinary or phytosanitary controls if necessary). China Airlines Cargo or its agents provide the necessary transport documents to facilitate this step, but it is up to the recipient to carry out the customs clearance or to appoint a freight forwarder to do so.
• Availability and delivery: once customs clearances are obtained, the shipment is made available to the recipient. The recipient (or their ground carrier) comes to collect the goods at the airport cargo warehouse. The "availability" event is recorded, marking the end of the airline's responsibility. In some cases, if an additional last-mile delivery service has been agreed upon, the goods are handed over to a partner for direct delivery to the final address. Finally, the transaction concludes with the "delivered" status when the recipient has effectively received their cargo.

Types of shipments handled: general, special, sensitive, etc.

As a versatile cargo carrier, China Airlines Cargo handles a wide range of shipment types. From large industrial goods to small high-value parcels, the company has the expertise and equipment to suit. The typology of shipments handled is as follows:

• General goods: these are ordinary shipments that do not require special handling. This includes most manufactured goods, textiles, spare parts, commercial documents in bulk, etc. China Airlines Cargo handles these shipments in a standard manner, ensuring their integrity from pickup to delivery.
• Special goods: under this category are shipments requiring specific precautions or arrangements. For example, dangerous goods (chemicals, flammable materials, lithium batteries, etc.) are accepted subject to compliance with international regulations and the company's own restrictions. China Airlines Cargo strictly applies IATA rules in this regard, with certified personnel for handling these products and required approved packaging. Similarly, oversized or heavy shipments (industrial equipment, machinery, vehicles) are subject to a feasibility study (size, weight, center of gravity) and special loading solutions (use of reinforced pallets, positioning on the main deck of cargo aircraft, etc.).
• Temperature-controlled shipments: an important segment of air freight concerns temperature-sensitive products. China Airlines Cargo offers refrigerated solutions through its Cool Chain program for the transport of perishable products (fruits, flowers, fresh products) as well as pharmaceutical and medical products (vaccines, medicines, biological samples). Active refrigerated containers (such as Envirotainer and others) can be rented and loaded, maintaining a precise temperature range throughout the journey. The holds of its cargo aircraft are equipped with temperature regulators, preserving the cold chain from end to end. The company has also obtained IATA's CEIV Pharma certification, attesting to its compliance with the highest standards for the safe transport of medicines and vaccines.
• Live animals: China Airlines Cargo transports live animals (mainly domestic animals such as dogs and cats, but also livestock or aquaculture animals, and even exotic species in a regulated framework). These transports strictly follow IATA LAR (Live Animals Regulations) guidelines. Approved cages are used, and the animal's welfare is a priority: controlled temperature, adequate ventilation, reduced layover time, and possibly feeding/hydration according to the owner's instructions. Ethically and in line with its environmental commitments, the company imposes an embargo on the transport of species protected by international conventions (CITES), as well as on products derived from endangered animals (such as shark fins, ivory, etc.).
• Valuable goods and sensitive shipments: jewelry, high-end electronic devices, works of art, confidential documents: these shipments require enhanced security. China Airlines Cargo offers special procedures for shipments of high monetary value or strategically sensitive: increased surveillance, storage in a secure area, access control to authorized personnel only, and enhanced traceability. Each movement of these shipments is closely monitored to prevent any risk of loss or theft.

Thanks to this ability to handle various categories of freight, China Airlines Cargo meets the needs of diverse sectors, from automotive to electronics, including fashion, health, and agri-food. The company adapts its logistics solutions according to the nature of the cargo, providing the appropriate technical expertise and support for each type of shipment.

Shipment tracking system and tracking numbers

To ensure transparency and customer information, China Airlines Cargo provides an efficient tracking system for all shipments. Each shipment is identified by a unique tracking number corresponding to the Air Waybill (AWB). This AWB number consists of a three-digit carrier code specific to China Airlines (the company's IATA prefix) followed by an eight-digit serial number, thus forming a total 11-digit reference. For example, an AWB number may appear as 297-12345678 (where 297 is the code for China Airlines).

With this number, the shipper and recipient can check online the status of the cargo at each key stage of its itinerary. China Airlines Cargo offers a tracking module on its website: by entering the AWB number, the system provides updated information on the shipment's location and the latest recorded operations (pickup, flight in progress, arrival, etc.). Updates are generated in real-time in the system as the freight progresses through the transport chain, via standardized freight status messages (known as FSU - Freight Status Update).

The recipient is also informed of the arrival of their package at the destination, usually by notification or arrival notice, so they can prepare for customs clearance and retrieval of the goods. The tracking system not only allows knowing the current status of the shipment but also anticipating possible delays or incidents thanks to the information provided. Additionally, China Airlines Cargo offers the possibility to integrate this tracking via partner platforms or mobile applications, facilitating shipment management for freight forwarders and regular customers.

The tracking statuses used by China Airlines Cargo are generally indicated in English on international platforms, but their meaning can be translated into French for clarity. Below, a table summarizes the main tracking statuses of a cargo shipment and their description in French:

Shipment tracking statuses