News / China's new air cargo gate-in rule eases congestion, but impacts freighters

China’s new ’gate-in’ rule for air cargo has prompted fears of more freighters flying out empty.

Following some of the worst-ever cargo congestion at Shanghai PVG at the start of the month, which then spread to other airports, authorities issued a new directive to ground handling agents that cargo may not arrive more than 28 hours before a flight.

Shippers had been sending cargo “much earlier than required”, in fear of failing PPE Customs inspections, according to Chaminda Gunasekera, senior director airfreight, ...