Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is one of China’s major air cargo hubs. It is a key gateway for air freight moving between South China, Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and other global markets.
The airport is located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Its IATA code is CAN and its ICAO code is ZGGG.
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is often used for:
- eCommerce parcels
- Electronics
- Fashion and retail goods
- Machinery parts
- Automotive parts
- Pharma cargo where permitted
- Temperature-sensitive cargo
- High-value goods
- Express cargo
- Documents and samples
- Time-sensitive commercial shipments
Airport Overview
| Airport Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport |
| City | Guangzhou |
| Country | China |
| IATA code | CAN |
| ICAO code | ZGGG |
| Airport type | International airport and major air cargo hub |
| Main cargo role | South China air cargo gateway and Pearl River Delta logistics hub |
| Main cargo users | China Southern Airlines, FedEx Express, cargo airlines, express carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers |
| Airport operator | Guangdong Airport Authority / Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Co., Ltd. |
| Best for | eCommerce, electronics, express cargo, retail goods, machinery parts, high-value goods, pharma cargo where permitted, and urgent shipments |
Why Ship Air Cargo Through Guangzhou Baiyun Airport?
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is useful when cargo needs fast access to South China.
It gives shippers access to:
- Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta
- Guangdong’s manufacturing supply chains
- Fast air cargo links across Asia
- Direct and connecting routes to Europe and North America
- Express cargo and eCommerce networks
- Air freight options for high-value and time-sensitive goods
- Road links to Foshan, Dongguan, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and other South China markets
Many companies use CAN when ocean freight is too slow or when the shipment is urgent, valuable, or lightweight.
Main Cargo Handled at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| eCommerce cargo | Marketplace parcels, DTC orders, fulfillment stock, cross-border parcels |
| Electronics | Mobile phones, computer parts, chips, accessories, consumer electronics |
| Express cargo | Documents, urgent parcels, small commercial shipments |
| Fashion goods | Apparel, footwear, accessories, samples, seasonal inventory |
| High-value goods | Premium electronics, luxury goods, watches, jewelry where permitted |
| Pharma cargo | Medicines, diagnostics, medical devices where permitted |
| Temperature-sensitive cargo | Chilled goods, frozen cargo, healthcare products, perishables where permitted |
| Machinery parts | Equipment parts, industrial components, spare parts, tools |
| Automotive parts | Components, replacement parts, EV-related parts where permitted |
| General air freight | Cartons, pallets, commercial cargo, non-perishable goods |
Air Freight Services Through Guangzhou Baiyun
Guangzhou Baiyun 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
- Temperature-controlled air freight for pharma and perishables
- 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 Guangzhou by Air
Importers use Guangzhou Baiyun Airport for fast delivery into Guangzhou and nearby South China markets.
Common air imports include:
- Electronics
- Consumer goods
- Fashion products
- Luxury goods where permitted
- eCommerce parcels
- Medical products where permitted
- Food products and perishables where permitted
- Machinery parts
- Automotive parts
- Samples and documents
Guangzhou Baiyun is useful for cargo moving to:
- Guangzhou
- Foshan
- Dongguan
- Shenzhen
- Zhuhai
- Zhongshan
- Huizhou
- Jiangmen
- The Pearl River Delta
- South China distribution centers
When shipping to Guangzhou, compare the full landed cost. This may include air freight, fuel surcharges, security fees, terminal handling, customs broker fees, storage, inspection fees, local delivery, duties, taxes, and insurance.
Use the iContainers air freight calculator to estimate shipping costs.
Shipping From Guangzhou by Air
Exporters use Guangzhou Baiyun Airport for fast shipments from South China to global markets.
Common air exports include:
- eCommerce parcels
- Electronics
- Computer parts
- Mobile phone accessories
- Fashion goods
- Consumer products
- Machinery parts
- Automotive parts
- Medical products where permitted
- Samples and documents
- High-value goods where permitted
- General commercial air freight
Guangzhou Baiyun is useful for exports that need fast delivery, strong uplift, or access to global air cargo routes.
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 |
| Temperature-controlled air freight | Pharma, healthcare cargo, chilled and frozen goods | 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 Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
Air cargo through Guangzhou Baiyun Airport must follow China customs rules.
Shippers may need:
- Product description
- HS code
- Cargo value
- Country of origin
- Shipper and consignee details
- Importer of record details
- Air waybill
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Import or export licence where required
- Product certificates where required
Some goods are controlled, restricted, or need extra approval. These may include medicines, food, plants, animals, chemicals, batteries, electronics, medical devices, cosmetics, wireless products, and dual-use goods.
For general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to air freight customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Air Freight Through Guangzhou Baiyun
Most air freight shipments need:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Air waybill
- House air waybill, when using a freight forwarder
- Cargo manifest
- Import or export licence, when required
- HS code
- Certificate of origin, 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, or inspection certificates, when applicable
Incomplete or incorrect documents can delay cargo release.
Common Air Freight Routes From Guangzhou Baiyun
| Route | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| Guangzhou to Hong Kong | eCommerce cargo, electronics, parcels, documents |
| Guangzhou to Southeast Asia | Consumer goods, electronics, fashion, spare parts |
| Guangzhou to Japan and Korea | Electronics, machinery parts, eCommerce cargo, samples |
| Guangzhou to Europe | Electronics, fashion goods, machinery parts, high-value goods |
| Guangzhou to North America | eCommerce cargo, electronics, retail goods, industrial parts |
| Guangzhou to Middle East | Electronics, consumer goods, machinery parts, retail cargo |
| Guangzhou to Oceania | eCommerce cargo, electronics, spare parts, consumer goods |
Cargo may move by direct flight, freighter aircraft, passenger belly cargo, express network, road feeder service, or air-truck service.
When Should You Use Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Instead of Ocean Freight?
Use air freight through Guangzhou Baiyun when:
- The shipment is urgent
- 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 temperature-controlled handling
- The supplier is based in South China
Use ocean freight when cargo is heavy, bulky, low-margin, or not urgent.
FAQ About Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
The IATA code is CAN.
Yes. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is one of China’s major air cargo hubs and an important gateway for South China freight.
It is best for eCommerce shipments, electronics, express cargo, retail goods, machinery parts, automotive parts, high-value cargo, pharma cargo where permitted, and urgent shipments.
Yes. CAN is useful for cross-border eCommerce because it has strong air cargo links and access to the Pearl River Delta supply chain.
Reference Links
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport - Official Website
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport - English Information
- Guangzhou Municipal Government - Baiyun Airport Cargo Route News
- Guangzhou Municipal Government - China Southern International Cargo Terminal
- China Customs - General Administration of Customs
- China International Trade Single Window
- International Trade Administration - China Import Requirements and Documentation
- IATA - Airport Code Search