Air cargo operations at Shenzhen airport face restrictions and delays this week around the APEC summit on November 18 and 19, Air Cargo News reported.

The report said the summit is expected to bring high-level leaders from around the world to the southern Chinese technology hub.

Cargo carrier Teleport said that from November 16 to 20, all international passenger flights to and from Shenzhen are prohibited from carrying cargo. It also said domestic flight capacity at Shenzhen Airport will be cut by 80 percent during the APEC period to give priority to diplomatic and VIP flights. Teleport added that there was no official notice of a reduction in international flights at the time.

Japan’s ANA said restrictions also apply to dangerous goods and perishables. It said shipments will be accepted no later than 12 hours before scheduled departure and that import cargo can be collected eight hours or more after actual arrival.

Sunny Worldwide Logistics said air freight operations in South China are expected to face “significant disruption”. The forwarder said freighter flights from Shenzhen are expected to be suspended or diverted to other airports from November 16 to 20. Cargo acceptance on passenger flights may also be restricted, and extra security checks and transport controls may delay deliveries to airport warehouses, it said.

The forwarder said shipments are being redirected to nearby Guangzhou airport, which may see higher cargo volumes and possible flight delays.

Some warehouses have already introduced restrictions, such as requiring cargo to arrive within 24 hours before a passenger flight departs or 36 hours before a freighter departs, according to the report.

Sunny Worldwide advised shippers to consider cross-border trucking to Hong Kong International Airport for urgent cargo. For less urgent shipments, it recommended delivering cargo to the airport earlier, booking space three to four days ahead, and preparing documents early.