Machines & Parts air freight from Brazil to Kazakhstan

Why ship machines & parts by air freight?

Machines and industrial parts are heavy and large — not usually the first thing that comes to mind for air freight. Still, air freight is often the best option for these goods for three reasons:

1. Downtime costs more than shipping — A production line that is down due to a failed part often costs €5,000–50,000 per day in lost revenue. The extra cost of air freight versus sea freight is negligible in comparison.

2. Value versus weight — Precision parts (CNC tools, hydraulic pumps, servo motors) carry a high value per kilogram. Air freight rates are reasonable relative to their value.

3. Time-critical projects — For installations, commissioning, or repairs when technicians are on standby, delays are unacceptable. Air freight guarantees arrival time certainty.

Exporting to Brazil

Brazil is the largest economy in South America and a strategic export destination for Dutch companies in the agriculture, energy, machinery, and pharmaceutical sectors. The flight time from Schiphol is approximately 11 hours to São Paulo (GRU) or Rio de Janeiro (GIG) — with direct cargo flights available.

Brazilian Customs — the world's most complex

Brazil is internationally known as one of the most challenging customs environments. The Brazilian tax structure (including ICMS, IPI, PIS, and COFINS) is extremely complex, and the Siscomex system requires detailed electronic declarations. An incorrect HS code or missing document can cause delays of several weeks.

Points of Attention

• Importer must have a Brazilian CNPJ number
• Licença de Importação (LI) — import license — required for many product categories
• ANVISA registration for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
• Expect an additional 2–5 business days for clearance
• Always use an experienced Brazilian customs broker

Importing from Kazakhstan

Air cargo imports from Kazakhstan are relatively limited and mainly concern high-quality industrial components, mining samples, pharmaceutical raw materials, and certain specialty foods like caviar.

Air Cargo vs. Sea/Rail

Kazakhstan is landlocked — sea freight is not an option. Rail transport via the Trans-Asian route takes 18–25 days to Rotterdam, while air freight via Schiphol is customs-ready within 1–3 working days. For urgent shipments or high-value goods, air freight is the logical choice.

Customs on Imports from Kazakhstan

EU import duties apply depending on the HS code. Reduced rates may apply under the GSP scheme for certain goods. Aircargo.nl manages customs clearance at Schiphol and provides fiscal representation where necessary.

Frequently Requested Goods from Kazakhstan

• Mining samples and soil specimens
• Pharmaceutical raw materials and uranium derivatives (under license)
• Industrial parts and spare components
• Specialty foods and agricultural samples

Brazil via Schiphol: Latin America Gateway

São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) is the largest airfreight hub in South America. Goods destined for Argentina, Colombia, Peru, or Chile are frequently routed via GRU. Aircargo.nl has agent connections in São Paulo that efficiently handle crosstrade shipments, including the notoriously complex Brazilian customs procedures.

Key considerations for machines & parts

Weight and dimensions

Machines and heavy parts often exceed standard air freight size or weight limits. Shipments over 500 kg per piece or with oversized dimensions require special freighter flights or dedicated space on cargo aircraft. Aircargo.nl has access to freighters from KLM Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, and other carriers for oversized cargo.

Detailed packing list

Machines typically have complex assemblies: multiple parts, materials, and values. A detailed and accurate packing list is essential for customs clearance, especially for destinations with high import duties on capital goods (India, Brazil).

AOG situations

When a machine production process stops due to a broken part, every minute counts. Aircargo.nl operates a 24/7 AOG desk for time-critical machine parts — from booking to delivery on the production floor.