Ontario Airport
Ontario International Airport is one of the most important air cargo airports in Southern California. It is a major logistics gateway for air freight moving through the Inland Empire, Greater Los Angeles, Southern California distribution networks, the U.S. West Coast, Latin America, Asia, and domestic U.S. markets.
The airport is located in Ontario, California, United States. Its IATA code is ONT and its ICAO code is KONT.
Ontario International Airport is often used for:
- Express cargo
- eCommerce parcels
- Domestic air cargo
- International air freight
- Retail goods
- Consumer products
- Electronics
- Automotive parts
- Aerospace parts
- Machinery parts
- Industrial components
- Pharma and healthcare products
- Medical equipment
- Perishables
- Documents and samples
- Time-sensitive commercial shipments
Airport Overview
| Airport Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Ontario International Airport |
| Also known as | Ontario Airport, ONT Airport |
| City | Ontario, California |
| Country | United States |
| IATA code | ONT |
| ICAO code | KONT |
| Airport type | International airport and major Southern California air cargo gateway |
| Main cargo area | ONT cargo facilities, airport cargo areas, express integrator facilities, The HUB @ Ontario International Airport logistics complex, and nearby warehouses |
| Main cargo facilities | Amazon Air, FedEx, UPS, American Airlines Cargo, airline cargo facilities, freight forwarders, ground handlers, and airport logistics providers |
| Main cargo role | Inland Empire air cargo gateway, Southern California logistics hub, eCommerce cargo platform, express cargo airport, and West Coast freight gateway |
| Airport operator | Ontario International Airport Authority |
| Best for | Express cargo, eCommerce parcels, domestic air freight, retail goods, electronics, automotive parts, healthcare cargo, and urgent shipments |
Why Ship Air Cargo Through Ontario Airport?
Ontario Airport is useful when cargo needs fast access to Southern California, the Inland Empire, Greater Los Angeles, the U.S. West Coast, and domestic distribution networks.
It gives shippers access to:
- One of Southern California’s main air cargo airports
- Strong express cargo activity through Amazon Air, FedEx, and UPS
- Fast access to Inland Empire warehouses and fulfillment centers
- Road links to Los Angeles, Long Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and wider western U.S. logistics markets
- Proximity to the Los Angeles and Long Beach port complexes
- Air cargo facilities and logistics providers around the airport
- Passenger belly cargo and freighter cargo options where available
- A growing logistics environment supported by airport-adjacent warehouse development
- Strong eCommerce, retail, parcel, and time-sensitive freight activity
Many companies use ONT when ocean freight is too slow or when cargo is urgent, parcel-based, lightweight, high-value, or connected to Southern California and Inland Empire distribution networks.
Main Cargo Handled at Ontario Airport
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Express cargo | Parcels, documents, urgent small shipments |
| eCommerce cargo | Marketplace orders, DTC parcels, fulfillment stock |
| Domestic air cargo | U.S. shipments, regional freight, time-sensitive commercial goods |
| International cargo | Imported and exported commercial cargo moving through global networks |
| Retail goods | Apparel, consumer products, seasonal goods, store replenishment |
| Electronics | Devices, accessories, components, consumer electronics |
| Automotive parts | Spare parts, components, aftermarket products, production materials |
| Aerospace parts | Aircraft parts, maintenance parts, tools, components |
| Pharma cargo | Medicines, diagnostics, healthcare products where permitted |
| Medical equipment | Medical devices, hospital equipment, laboratory products |
| Machinery parts | Industrial parts, tools, replacement parts, production components |
| Perishables | Chilled goods, frozen cargo, fresh food where accepted |
| General air freight | Cartons, pallets, packaged goods, commercial cargo |
Air Freight Services Through Ontario Airport
Ontario International 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
- Domestic air freight within the United States
- International air freight through airline, integrator, and freight forwarder networks
- Temperature-controlled air freight where accepted
- High-value cargo handling where accepted
- Dangerous goods air freight where accepted by the airline and authorities
- 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 the United States by Air
Importers use Ontario Airport for fast delivery into Southern California, the Inland Empire, Greater Los Angeles, and wider western U.S. distribution networks.
Common air imports include:
- eCommerce parcels
- Retail goods
- Consumer products
- Electronics
- Automotive parts
- Machinery parts
- Pharma and healthcare products where permitted
- Medical equipment
- Aerospace parts
- Industrial components
- Documents and samples
- High-value goods where accepted
- General commercial cargo
Ontario Airport is useful for cargo moving to:
- Ontario
- Riverside
- San Bernardino
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Fontana
- Los Angeles
- Long Beach
- Orange County
- Inland Empire warehouses
- Southern California eCommerce fulfillment centers
- Retail distribution centers
- West Coast logistics hubs
- Las Vegas, Phoenix, and nearby regional markets
- Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach logistics corridors
When shipping to the United States, compare the full landed cost. This may include air freight, fuel surcharges, security fees, terminal handling, customs broker fees, storage, inspection fees, duties, import taxes and fees, local delivery, and insurance.
Use the iContainers air freight calculator to estimate shipping costs.
Shipping From the United States by Air
Exporters use Ontario Airport for fast shipments from Southern California and the Inland Empire to U.S. domestic and international markets.
Common air exports include:
- Express parcels
- eCommerce orders
- Retail goods
- Consumer products
- Electronics
- Automotive parts
- Aerospace parts
- Pharma and healthcare products where permitted
- Medical equipment
- Machinery parts
- Industrial components
- Documents and samples
- High-value goods where accepted
- General commercial air freight
Ontario Airport is useful for exports that need fast delivery, express network access, Southern California logistics coverage, or connections from the U.S. West Coast to domestic and international 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 |
| Domestic air freight | U.S. shipments and regional distribution | Fast inland delivery |
| Temperature-controlled air freight | Pharma, healthcare cargo, perishables, chilled and frozen goods | Protects sensitive cargo |
| High-value air freight | Secure goods, electronics, premium products | Added security and specialist handling |
| 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 Ontario Airport
Air cargo through Ontario Airport must follow U.S. 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
- Employer Identification Number, Social Security Number, or importer number where required
- Air waybill
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Customs entry documents
- Customs bond, when required
- Import or export license, when required
- Product certificates where required
Some goods are controlled, restricted, or need extra approval. These may include medicines, food products, plants, animals, chemicals, batteries, electronics, medical devices, cosmetics, textiles, dual-use goods, and products subject to FDA, USDA, Fish and Wildlife, FCC, EPA, or other U.S. agency requirements.
For general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to air freight customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Air Freight Through Ontario Airport
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
- Customs entry documents
- Importer of record details, when importing into the United States
- Exporter details, when exporting from the United States
- Certificate of origin, when required
- Preferential origin documents, when applicable
- Import or export license, when applicable
- Customs bond, 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, plant, veterinary, or inspection certificates, when applicable
Incomplete or incorrect documents can delay customs clearance and cargo release.
Common Air Freight Routes From Ontario Airport
| Route | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| Ontario to U.S. domestic markets | Express parcels, eCommerce shipments, retail goods, commercial cargo |
| Ontario to West Coast logistics hubs | Consumer goods, electronics, automotive parts, warehouse replenishment |
| Ontario to Asia | Electronics, eCommerce cargo, components, machinery parts, retail goods |
| Ontario to Latin America | Retail goods, machinery parts, medical equipment, documents, general cargo |
| Ontario to Mexico | Automotive parts, industrial components, retail goods, commercial cargo |
| Ontario to Canada | Express cargo, eCommerce parcels, commercial cargo, spare parts |
| Ontario to Europe | Electronics, healthcare cargo, aerospace parts, machinery parts, documents |
| Ontario to global air cargo networks | Time-sensitive freight, high-value goods, samples, documents, urgent parcels |
Cargo may move by freighter aircraft, express integrator network, passenger belly cargo, truck-air service, or U.S. domestic road feeder service.
When Should You Use Ontario Airport Instead of Ocean Freight?
Use air freight through Ontario Airport 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
- eCommerce orders need fast delivery
- Retail goods need fast replenishment
- Electronics or machinery parts are needed urgently
- Automotive or aerospace parts need quick delivery
- The cargo is moving through Southern California or the Inland Empire
- Ocean freight transit time is too long
Use ocean freight when cargo is heavy, bulky, low-margin, or not urgent.
FAQ About Ontario Airport
Ontario Airport is located in Ontario, California, United States.
The IATA code is ONT.
Yes. Ontario Airport is an important Southern California air cargo airport because of its express cargo activity, Inland Empire location, eCommerce logistics role, and access to major distribution networks.
It is best for express cargo, eCommerce parcels, domestic air freight, retail goods, electronics, automotive parts, aerospace parts, healthcare products, machinery parts, and urgent shipments.
Yes. Ontario Airport is useful for eCommerce shipping because it has strong express carrier activity, airport-adjacent logistics development, and fast access to Inland Empire fulfillment centers.
Yes. Ontario Airport is in Southern California and is less than 45 miles from the Los Angeles and Long Beach port complexes, making it useful for companies that combine ocean, air, and inland distribution.
Reference Links
- Ontario International Airport - Official Website
- Ontario International Airport - Airlines
- Ontario International Airport - The HUB Logistics Complex
- Ontario International Airport - Air Service General Carrier Information
- Ontario International Airport - Statistics
- FAA - Ontario International Airport
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Ontario Airport, California
- American Airlines Cargo - Ontario International Airport
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Cargo Descriptions
- eCFR - Invoice Requirements
- IATA - Airport Code Search