Fruits & Vegetables air freight from Canada to Chile

Fresh Fruits & Vegetables: Air Freight as the Only Option

Fresh fruits and vegetables have a shelf life of days — not weeks. Products such as asparagus, strawberries, mangoes, or avocados from distant origins simply cannot be transported by sea without quality loss. Air freight is the only way to get fresh produce from the field to the supermarket within its product lifecycle.

The Netherlands is the logistics hub of the European fresh produce trade. The proximity to Schiphol Airport, the flower auction in Aalsmeer, and the large cold storage facilities in the Haarlemmermeer area make it the ideal hub for fresh air freight.

Popular Routes

• Kenya, Ethiopia → NL: French beans, sugar snaps, avocados
• Peru, Chile → NL: berries, asparagus, grapes (winter season)
• Morocco → NL: tomatoes, bell peppers (also by road)
• NL → worldwide: Dutch tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries

Exporting to Canada

Canada is one of the Netherlands’ main trading partners outside the EU — under the CETA trade agreement, virtually all Dutch goods benefit from preferential or zero-tariff import rates. Schiphol offers direct cargo flights to Toronto (YYZ) via Air Canada Cargo and KLM Cargo, and frequent connections to Montreal (YUL) and Vancouver (YVR). Cargo-to-cargo transit usually takes 8–12 hours.

Customs & Regulations

The Canadian customs agency (CBSA) operates with the CARM system (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management). Importers need a Business Number and a CARM Client Portal account. For most shipments, a commercial invoice, packing list, and—when applying CETA rates—a statement of origin or preparer’s declaration are sufficient. Health Canada and CFIA registration requirements apply for food products, medical devices, and cosmetics.

Practical Tips

• Always include “CETA Statement of Origin” on your invoice for preferential import — this can reduce tariffs by 100%
• Account for provincial sales tax differences (GST/HST/PST) when pricing
• Both English and French labeling may be required for consumer products in Quebec

Aircargo.nl works with dedicated agents in Toronto and Montreal and manages the entire documentation chain—including CETA certification—for optimal transit.

Importing from Chile

Air freight imports from Chile are highly seasonal and mainly consist of fresh products: salmon, berries, cherries, grapes, asparagus, and avocados. Additionally, the Netherlands imports Chilean wine samples, copper samples, and specialty minerals.

Air Freight vs. Sea Freight

Sea freight from Valparaíso or San Antonio to Rotterdam takes 22–28 days. Air freight via Schiphol is ready for clearance within 1–2 business days — essential for fresh products, especially during peak season (November–February) when cherries and berries must reach the European market.

Customs on Imports from Chile

Under the EU-Chile Association Agreement, Chilean products benefit from preferential import duties or zero tariffs, provided a correct EUR.1 or invoice declaration is presented. For fresh products, EU phytosanitary and veterinary inspections are conducted at Schiphol by the NVWA. Aircargo.nl manages the complete clearance including NVWA coordination.

Frequently Requested Goods from Chile

• Fresh products (salmon, cherries, berries, grapes, asparagus)
• Wine and specialty foods
• Copper samples and specialty minerals
• High-quality forestry and wood products

Canada as a Crosstrade Destination

Schiphol serves as a key European hub for crosstrades to Canada. Many shipments from Asia or the Middle East are routed through AMS to YYZ or YVR due to excellent cargo connectivity and predictable customs procedures. Air Canada Cargo and KLM Cargo offer frequent connections.

Aircargo.nl has agent partnerships in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver and can coordinate full crosstrade routes—including CARM registration and Canadian customs clearance—without the shipment having to physically touch Dutch soil.

Key Considerations for Fruits & Vegetables Air Freight

Cold Chain

Fresh fruits and vegetables are extremely temperature sensitive. Depending on the product, the optimal transport temperature ranges from 0–1°C (berries, leafy greens) to 10–14°C (tropical fruit). Aircargo.nl arranges specialized cold cargo handling at Schiphol and monitors the temperature chain from start to finish.

Phytosanitary Inspections

All fresh products from non-EU countries undergo phytosanitary inspection upon entry into the EU, which can add 4–8 hours of processing time. Aircargo.nl notifies your shipment in advance to the NVWA to minimize delays.

Customs & Import Duties

Fresh fruits and vegetables fall under the EU Common Customs Tariff (CCT) and may be subject to high seasonal import duties—especially for products competing with EU-grown produce (tomatoes, strawberries, citrus).