Every quarter we publish what we're actually seeing on the desks — capacity, rate movement, and the operational issues that shape the number you get quoted. This is Q3 2026.
The one-line summary
Ex-DXB and ex-IST capacity into Kabul is comfortable. Ex-DEL is tight through the middle of the quarter as pharma pre-positioning collides with garment season. Rates are broadly flat quarter-over-quarter, with a modest premium on the Delhi lane.
The lanes we quote most
Dubai (DXB) → Kabul (KBL)
- Frequencies: Daily service from three carriers, plus mid-week charter capacity.
- General cargo, 100–500kg: USD 1.85–2.30/kg all-in, ex-DXB terminal.
- General cargo, 500–1000kg: USD 1.60–2.00/kg all-in.
- Notes: DXB remains the deepest option and the easiest to move a same-day booking through. Ramadan tail effects are gone from the numbers now.
Istanbul (IST) → Kabul (KBL)
- Frequencies: Four to five weekly.
- General cargo, 100–500kg: USD 2.10–2.60/kg all-in.
- General cargo, 500–1000kg: USD 1.85–2.30/kg all-in.
- Notes: IST is our preferred lane for anything sourced in Turkey or arriving via European feeders. The USD 0.25/kg premium over Dubai is worth it when you save a leg of trucking.
Delhi (DEL) → Kabul (KBL)
- Frequencies: Three weekly, with charter overflow available on notice.
- General cargo, 100–500kg: USD 2.30–2.90/kg all-in.
- General cargo, 500–1000kg: USD 2.00–2.50/kg all-in.
- Notes: Tight through mid-quarter. Book pharma allocations two weeks out where you can. Late-quarter should loosen.
Ranges reflect what we've quoted this quarter for consolidated volume moving on our named allocations. Spot rates for one-off shipments run 10–15% higher.
What's shaping the numbers
- Fuel has been range-bound. No surcharge shocks in this window.
- Regional charter market is soft, which is quietly pulling scheduled rates down on the shoulders.
- Winter positioning starts late Q3. Expect Delhi tightness to shift to Dubai in October as winter apparel volumes pick up.
- Insurance costs for high-value electronics into KBL are up slightly — factor USD 0.05–0.10/kg on declared-value cargo.
What we're advising customers this quarter
For routine volume, book named allocations for at least the DXB lane. The premium is negligible and the space guarantee saves you at least one crisis per quarter.
For project cargo, we still see charter capacity better priced than block-space out of Sharjah for anything above two tonnes. Ask us for a comparison — sometimes the answer surprises us too.
For pharma into Delhi, book two weeks out through October, then reassess.
These are indicative ranges, not published rates. Your actual quote depends on commodity, dimensions, insurance and season. Get a quote for a specific lane.