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For time-sensitive shipments, an on-board courier via airfreight is the fastest and most reliable option. Rhenus not only provides personal transport of your valuable cargo by a courier but also handles all necessary steps to ensure efficient processing and customs clearance.
As part of our on-board courier service, we take special care to ensure that hand-carried express goods such as prototypes, samples, critical or urgent replacement spare parts, contracts or documents reach their destination as quickly as possible. One of our couriers personally accompanies your shipment throughout the entire transportation journey, making our hand carry services a particularly safe choice for valuable goods.
In advance, a team of specialists carefully plans the handling of the freight by applying their expertise on the customs formalities in the importing countries. When it comes to on-board courier services, the Rhenus Group not only has its own resources, but also works with partners with many years of experience in handling urgent air cargo charters.
Communication throughout the entire transportation process is just as personal as the transportation of your special freight by one of our couriers. Thanks to transparent updates on milestones along the journey via chat or email, you can sit back and relax – resting assured that you can check on the status of your shipment with the on-board courier at any time.
Time is of the essence for your hand carry services. Compared to traditional handling procedures, we offer you the fastest possible transit and customs clearance processes with our on-board courier option.
Thanks to personal delivery with the hand carrier service, you benefit from special care and security for your valuable, urgent goods.
We know that when it comes to air courier shipments, things need to move quickly at all times. Thanks to clear processes and transparent agreements, we are a reliable partner at your side even in the event of scheduling changes or emergencies.
With our hand carry services, a dedicated courier takes care of your goods personally. This means that you always have a fixed contact person available and you can check the status of your shipment at any given moment.
Full transparency thanks to first-class customer service and active communication channels at all times – with live updates, live location release via AirTag and personal contact with the on-board courier*
In-house resources and trusted partners in the most important markets – for a complete global service, even in the event of irregularities
Extensive knowledge of our expert teams on international customs laws – for safe and proper customs clearance of your goods
We deliver your goods by on-board courier as quickly and reliably as possible!
Within the scope of Rhenus airfreight products, there are various transit time options for you to choose from, so that you get the best solution based on your needs and budget:
An on-board courier (OBC) is a courier who personally accompanies important or time-sensitive deliveries to ensure that they reach their destination as quickly and directly as possible. They usually carry the consignment directly with them or in their carry-on luggage. Goods that are frequently transported in this way include documents, samples, prototypes or even valuable jewelry or designer pieces.
If you have a shipment that is particularly urgent or valuable, hand carry services offer a reliable, secure solution. Please note that weight and dimensional limits can vary depending on the route, airline, aircraft type, and whether the shipment is checked or carried on as luggage. Typically, packages are limited to around 30 kg per piece, with maximum dimensions ranging from approximately 120 to 160 centimeters in length, 80 to 120 centimeters in width, and 80 to 100 centimeters in height. These dimensions are approximate and may vary based on specific airline or courier restrictions. Additionally, shipments must be manageable with standard luggage handling equipment throughout the entire journey, including loading and unloading. Depending on the time frame and type of freight, you can choose from various express options and book additional value-added services.
Goods weighing more than 32 kilograms per parcel and measuring more than 290 centimeters in length + height + width cannot be delivered by hand carrier. In addition, hazardous goods, temperature sensitive pharmaceutical products and perishable goods are also excluded.
In order to process your request as quickly as possible, we first need information about the number of parcels, their respective dimensions and weights as well as the type of goods. We also ask for the delivery time, zip code, city or airport of both the pick-up and final destination.
Depending on the agreements made for your hand carry services, you will receive regular notifications by email or chat, or you can access a dashboard that has been set up specifically for this purpose. In addition, a customer service team is available 24 hours a day to respond to your inquiries and you can contact the couriers directly.
The Rhenus on-board courier provides immediate support for urgent and important freight. With our worldwide round-the-clock service, we can also meet deadlines that fall on weekends, public holidays or outside normal working hours.
*The AirTag service is optional and subject to equipment availability at the time as it is outsourced.
**However, please note that insurance coverage and clauses may vary depending on the origin/destination country, airline and commodity. For high-value products, additional freight insurance may be necessary, but not all insurers or countries cover such on-board courier shipments. Legal and compliance teams are available to provide further guidance in specific cases.