Valuable Goods air freight from Brazil to Turkey

Valuable Goods by Air Freight: Security and Speed

Gold, diamonds, watches, art, jewelry, banknotes, and other valuable goods share two things in common: they are small (light shipments) and have an extremely high value per kilogram. Air freight is not only the fastest transport mode for these types of goods — it is also the safest.

Sea freight with a container full of valuables is a security nightmare: container theft, lengthy stays in ports, limited traceability. Air freight through secured cargo terminals with direct handling from plane to vault minimizes risk.

What Do We Ship as Valuable Goods?

• Precious metals: gold, silver, platinum (in bars or coins)
• Gemstones: certified diamonds, rubies, emeralds
• Luxury watches and jewelry (for brands, retailers, and private individuals)
• Art and antiques (with ATA Carnet for temporary import)
• Banknotes and securities (on behalf of banks and central banks)
• Smartphones and high-end electronics with high street value

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 Turkey

Imports from Turkey are diverse: textiles and fashion, automotive parts, hazelnuts and dried fruit, high-end machinery, and — specifically for air freight — fresh products like citrus and cherries. Schiphol receives daily volumes from IST.

Air Freight vs. Sea and Road Transport

Sea freight from Istanbul or Mersin to Rotterdam takes 8–12 days. Road transport is a popular alternative, taking 5–7 days. Air freight via Schiphol is cleared within 1 business day — ideal for fresh goods and urgent shipments.

Customs on Imports from Turkey

Under the EU-Turkey customs union, industrial products can be imported duty-free with an A.TR certificate. For agricultural products, EU import duties or preferential tariffs under EUR.1 apply. Fresh products are subject to EU phytosanitary controls through the NVWA. Aircargo.nl handles full customs clearance.

Popular Goods from Turkey

• Fresh produce (citrus, cherries, grapes, figs)
• Hazelnuts and dried fruits
• Textiles, fashion, and leather goods
• Automotive parts and machinery components

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.

Important Notes on Valuable Goods

Secure Handling Mandatory

Valuable goods at Schiphol are processed exclusively through secure cargo terminals with access control, CCTV, and armed security when required. Aircargo.nl partners with specialized valuables handlers certified for high-value cargo.

Insurance

Standard air freight insurance covers a maximum of 22 SDR per kilogram — almost always insufficient for valuable goods. Aircargo.nl always recommends additional all-risk transport insurance based on actual value. We can arrange this insurance upon request.

Documentation

A detailed value declaration including serial numbers, photos, and certificates (e.g., GIA certificate for diamonds, authenticity certificates for art) is essential. High-value shipments are routinely subjected to extra inspections in some countries (e.g., India, UAE).

Routing & Splitting

For very high values (over €500,000), we advise splitting the shipment over multiple flights to reduce risk. This requires coordination with the recipient and possibly additional security measures at the destination.