Domestic air cargo handovers: airport-to-airport or door-to-door?

Choose the handover points before comparing offers

Start with where responsibility begins and ends. Does the sender need collection from a factory, or can an authorised person tender the packed shipment at the agreed cargo terminal? At destination, will the receiver arrange terminal collection, or does the cargo need delivery to a warehouse or office?

Ask for these points in writing. Airport-to-airport, door-to-airport, airport-to-door and door-to-door describe different arrangements, but a label alone does not identify every included activity. Confirm terminal handling, release assistance, loading, unloading and any separately payable charges. A lower headline freight figure can cover less work.

Plan the origin handover as an appointment

Name the person who will release the goods and confirm when packing and paperwork will be complete. For collection, share access instructions, loading arrangements and a contact who can resolve a mismatch. If the sender arranges terminal tender, obtain the correct cargo-terminal location and shipment-specific instructions first.

Passenger check-in and cargo acceptance are different processes. Obtain the cargo handover location before sending a driver to the airport. Ask which documents, identification or authorisation the relevant carrier or terminal requires, and confirm the applicable acceptance timing for the actual movement.

Treat cargo acceptance as a separate milestone

A collected package still needs the applicable preparation, security and acceptance checks. IATA's handling process distinguishes receipt of freight from acceptance as ready for carriage. A booking reference or air waybill number alone should not be treated as confirmation that the cargo has been accepted, flown or delivered.

Describe the contents accurately and provide packed dimensions, weights and package count. Disclose batteries, liquids, oils, aerosols or other potentially regulated contents before dispatch. Acceptance and documentation depend on the commodity, packing, carrier and route; a familiar service name does not remove those requirements.

Arrange destination collection before the cargo moves

For terminal collection, agree who is authorised to receive the shipment and how that person will obtain the required release instructions. Check the collection location, relevant desk hours, identification or authority requirements, and transport suitable for the packed units. These details vary; obtain the current instructions for that shipment.

A flight's arrival time is not automatically a collection appointment. Destination handling and release still need to be completed. Ask how availability will be communicated and what evidence records the terminal handover. For door delivery, separately confirm the address, receiving contact, gate access and unloading arrangements.

A 75 kg example: the same cargo, two different plans

Consider an illustrative business shipment of three packed crates, each weighing 25 kg. The total actual weight is 75 kg. Its dimensions, contents and handling needs still require assessment; this example does not establish chargeable weight, a price or airline acceptance.

Under an agreed airport-to-airport plan, the sender might arrange origin tender while an authorised destination contact arranges release and onward transport. Under an agreed door-to-door plan, PORTADOR would assess the collection and final delivery legs as part of the requested scope. If the receiver cannot collect the crates or unload them safely, the airport-only plan is incomplete even when a suitable flight exists.

Check local receiving hours around festivals

In 2026, India Post lists Dussehra on 20 October and Diwali on Sunday, 8 November. West Bengal's government calendar separately lists its Durga Puja observances, including Vijaya Dashami on 21 October. These calendars do not establish the opening hours of a particular factory, cargo desk, warehouse or customer site.

Confirm both ends directly, including any appointment or local access restrictions. Sunday and holiday service require route and team confirmation. If a receiver becomes unavailable, inform the operations team promptly and obtain a revised handover plan. Storage, redelivery, an alternative collector or a changed service need their own availability and charges review.

Use one handover brief for everyone

Keep the sender, operations team and receiver working from the same brief. If readiness, contents, packing or receiving hours change, request a fresh feasibility check before relying on the earlier plan.

A pickup request records an enquiry. Quote acceptance and confirmed collection are separate steps. Use the calculator for packed-weight preparation, then request the appropriate scope and discuss the actual delivery requirement with PORTADOR.

• Agreed origin and destination handover points, with full addresses or terminal details.
• Named sender and authorised receiver, plus operational contact numbers.
• Packed contents, declared value, package count, outside dimensions and actual weights.
• Cargo-ready time, required final arrival and confirmed receiving hours.
• Collection, terminal handling, release, delivery, loading and unloading responsibilities.
• Applicable documents, charges, handover evidence and the contact for a changed plan.