Fruits & Vegetables air freight from Chile to Kazakhstan

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 Chile

Chile is one of the most open economies in the world and has an Association Agreement with the EU that offers preferential or zero tariff imports. Key markets include machinery, mining equipment, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, and agri-technology. Schiphol offers direct cargo flights to Santiago (SCL) via KLM Cargo and LATAM Cargo. Cargo-to-cargo transit usually takes 14–18 hours.

Customs & Regulations

Chilean customs (Servicio Nacional de Aduanas) operate efficiently and relatively smoothly. For most shipments, a commercial invoice, packing list, and — for preferential clearance under the EU-Chile agreement — a EUR.1 or issuer’s declaration suffice. SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero) inspections apply for food and agricultural products. Medical devices require ISP registration.

Practical Tips

• Request a EUR.1 or issuer’s declaration in time for preferential clearance — this can significantly reduce tariffs
• SAG phytosanitary requirements for wooden packaging (ISPM 15) are strictly enforced
• Documentation in Spanish is common and speeds up clearance

Aircargo.nl works with established agents in Santiago and arranges the complete documentation chain — including preferential certificates and SAG coordination — to ensure smooth processing.

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

Chile as a Crosstrade Destination

Schiphol is a logical European hub for crosstrades to Chile — especially for Asian shipments routed via AMS to SCL. LATAM Cargo, KLM Cargo, and Cargolux operate these routes. Conversely, Chilean fresh products (salmon, berries, cherries) are distributed through Schiphol to the wider European market.

Aircargo.nl has agent relationships in Santiago and can coordinate crosstrade documentation — including Chilean customs clearance and SAG phytosanitary handling — 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).