Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is one of the world’s most important air cargo hubs. It is a major gateway for air freight moving between North America, Asia, Europe, and other global markets.
The airport is located in Anchorage, Alaska. Its IATA code is ANC and its ICAO code is PANC.
Anchorage Airport is often used for:
- Express cargo
- Transpacific air freight
- eCommerce parcels
- Healthcare and pharma cargo where permitted
- Electronics
- Machinery parts
- Aircraft parts
- Retail goods
- High-value goods
- Documents and samples
- Time-sensitive commercial shipments
Airport Overview
| Airport Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport |
| City | Anchorage, Alaska |
| Country | United States |
| IATA code | ANC |
| ICAO code | PANC |
| Airport type | International airport and major global cargo hub |
| Main cargo role | Transpacific cargo hub, express cargo hub, refueling and cargo-transfer gateway |
| Airport operator | Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities |
| Best for | Transpacific air freight, express cargo, eCommerce parcels, healthcare cargo, electronics, spare parts, and urgent shipments |
Why Ship Air Cargo Through Anchorage Airport?
Anchorage Airport is useful when cargo needs to move quickly between Asia and North America.
It gives shippers access to:
- One of the world’s busiest cargo airports
- Strong transpacific air cargo routes
- Fast links between Asia and the United States
- Major express and freighter networks
- Cargo transfer and refueling options
- Road links across Alaska
- Air cargo connections to remote Alaska markets
Many companies use ANC because its location helps aircraft connect Asia and North America efficiently.
Main Cargo Handled at Anchorage Airport
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Express cargo | Parcels, documents, urgent small shipments |
| eCommerce cargo | Marketplace orders, DTC parcels, fulfillment stock |
| Transpacific cargo | Cargo moving between Asia and North America |
| Healthcare cargo | Medical supplies, diagnostics, pharma cargo where permitted |
| Electronics | Computer parts, mobile devices, accessories, consumer electronics |
| Spare parts | Machinery parts, aircraft parts, automotive parts, production parts |
| Retail goods | Apparel, footwear, consumer goods, seasonal stock |
| High-value goods | Premium electronics, sensitive shipments, secure cargo where accepted |
| Documents and samples | Contracts, samples, prototypes, trade show materials |
| General air freight | Cartons, pallets, commercial cargo, packaged goods |
Air Freight Services Through Anchorage
Anchorage Airport supports several air freight options:
- Express air freight for urgent parcels
- Standard air freight for commercial shipments
- Consolidated air freight for smaller cargo
- Direct air freight for urgent or high-value goods
- Transpacific air cargo transfers
- Temperature-controlled air freight where available
- Dangerous goods air freight where accepted by the airline
- Airport-to-airport shipping
- Door-to-door air freight
For urgent shipments, air freight is often faster than ocean freight. For heavier or less urgent cargo, ocean freight may be more cost-effective.
Shipping to Anchorage by Air
Importers use Anchorage Airport for fast delivery into Alaska and for cargo moving through transpacific air routes.
Common air imports include:
- Express parcels
- eCommerce cargo
- Retail goods
- Electronics
- Healthcare products where permitted
- Machinery parts
- Aircraft parts
- Automotive parts
- Documents and samples
- High-value goods where accepted
- General commercial cargo
Anchorage is useful for cargo moving to:
- Anchorage
- Fairbanks
- Juneau
- Wasilla
- Palmer
- Alaska regional markets
- Remote Alaska communities
- US mainland markets through connecting air networks
When shipping to Anchorage, compare the full landed cost. This may include air freight, fuel surcharges, security fees, terminal handling, customs broker fees, storage, inspection fees, duties, taxes, local delivery, and insurance.
Use the iContainers air freight calculator to estimate shipping costs.
Shipping From Anchorage by Air
Exporters use Anchorage Airport for fast shipments from Alaska and for cargo moving through North America-Asia air routes.
Common air exports include:
- Express parcels
- Seafood and perishables where permitted
- Healthcare products where permitted
- Machinery parts
- Aircraft parts
- Oil, gas, and industrial supplies where permitted
- Retail goods
- Documents and samples
- High-value goods where accepted
- General commercial air freight
Anchorage is useful for exports that need fast delivery, cold-chain handling, or access to transpacific air cargo networks.
Express vs Standard Air Freight
| Option | Best For | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Express air freight | Parcels, documents, urgent eCommerce orders | Fastest delivery |
| Standard air freight | Commercial cargo and regular shipments | Balance of speed and cost |
| Consolidated air freight | Smaller shipments | Lower cost than direct air freight |
| Direct air freight | Urgent or high-value cargo | Faster routing |
| Transpacific air cargo | Cargo moving between Asia and North America | Strong hub location |
| Temperature-controlled air freight | Healthcare cargo, seafood, chilled goods, sensitive products | Protects sensitive cargo |
| Dangerous goods air freight | Batteries, chemicals, restricted cargo | Moves regulated goods when approved |
Use the iContainers transit time calculator to compare shipping times before booking.
Customs Clearance at Anchorage Airport
Air cargo through Anchorage Airport must follow US customs rules.
Shippers may need:
- Product description
- HS code or HTS code
- Cargo value
- Country of origin
- Shipper and consignee details
- Importer of record details
- Air waybill
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Import permit where required
- Product certificates where required
Some goods are controlled, restricted, or need extra approval. These may include medicines, food, seafood, plants, animals, chemicals, batteries, electronics, medical devices, textiles, and dual-use goods.
For general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to air freight customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Air Freight Through Anchorage
Most air freight shipments need:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Air waybill
- House air waybill, when using a freight forwarder
- Cargo manifest
- HS code or HTS code
- Importer of record details, when importing into the United States
- Exporter details, when exporting from the United States
- Certificate of origin, when required
- Import permit, when required
- Export license, when required
- Insurance certificate, when applicable
- Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
- Safety data sheet, when applicable
- Lithium battery documents, when applicable
- Temperature-control instructions, when applicable
- Food, health, seafood, or inspection certificates, when applicable
Incomplete or incorrect documents can delay cargo release.
Common Air Freight Routes From Anchorage
| Route | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| Anchorage to US mainland | Express parcels, eCommerce cargo, healthcare products, documents |
| Anchorage to Alaska regional markets | Retail goods, food products, medical supplies, spare parts |
| Anchorage to Asia | Electronics, eCommerce cargo, spare parts, high-value goods |
| Anchorage to Europe | Express cargo, healthcare products, electronics, machinery parts |
| Anchorage to Canada | Parcels, retail goods, spare parts, commercial cargo |
| Anchorage to Latin America | Parcels, medical supplies, spare parts, retail cargo |
| Anchorage to global transit markets | Transpacific cargo, express freight, general air cargo |
Cargo may move by freighter aircraft, express network, passenger belly cargo, truck-air service, or air cargo transfer service.
When Should You Use Anchorage Airport Instead of Ocean Freight?
Use air freight through Anchorage when:
- The shipment is urgent
- The cargo is moving between Asia and North America
- The cargo is high-value
- The shipment is small or lightweight
- The goods are time-sensitive
- You are shipping samples or documents
- A production line needs spare parts
- eCommerce orders need fast delivery
- Ocean freight transit time is too long
- The cargo needs strong tracking and visibility
- The cargo needs temperature-controlled handling
Use ocean freight when cargo is heavy, bulky, low-margin, or not urgent.
FAQ About Anchorage International Airport
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is located in Anchorage, Alaska, United States.
The IATA code is ANC.
Yes. Anchorage is one of the world’s busiest cargo airports and a major air freight hub for cargo moving between Asia and North America.
It is best for transpacific cargo, express cargo, eCommerce parcels, healthcare cargo where permitted, electronics, spare parts, seafood where permitted, documents, and urgent commercial freight.
Anchorage is located between Asia and North America. This makes it useful for cargo aircraft that need refueling, transfer, or routing support.
Reference Links
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport - Official Website
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport - Airport Facts
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport - About
- Alaska International Airport System - Expanded Air Cargo Transfer Rights
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Anchorage, Alaska 3126
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Locate a Port of Entry in Alaska
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Basic Importing and Exporting
- U.S. Census Bureau - Foreign Trade Regulations
- IATA - Airport Code Search