Flowers & plants air freight from Chile to United Kingdom

Why flowers & plants by airfreight?

Cut flowers and plants have a shelf life of only a few days. Airfreight is not an option — it is the only option. Roses picked in Kenya on Monday must be in the auction in Aalsmeer by Wednesday. This is only possible via airfreight with a controlled cold chain.

The Netherlands is the world’s largest trading nation in cut flowers and Schiphol is the epicenter. Aircargo.nl has many years of experience with the specific requirements of flower transport: speed, cooling, phytosanitary documentation, and direct delivery to the auction.

Typical flower transport routes

• Kenya (roses, lilies) → Schiphol: multiple times per day
• Ecuador & Colombia (roses, chrysanthemums) → Schiphol via Miami or direct
• Ethiopia → Schiphol: growing cut flower sector
• Export Dutch flowers → US, Japan, Russia, China

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 operates direct cargo flights to Santiago (SCL) via KLM Cargo and LATAM Cargo. Cargo-to-cargo transit typically takes 14–18 hours.

Customs & Regulations

The Chilean Customs (Servicio Nacional de Aduanas) operates efficiently and relatively smoothly. Most shipments require a commercial invoice, packing list, and— for preferential clearance under the EU-Chile agreement— an EUR.1 or declarant statement. SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero) inspections apply for food and agricultural products. Medical equipment requires ISP registration.

Practical Tips

• Request an EUR.1 or declarant statement timely 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 manages the entire documentation chain—including preferential certificates and SAG coordination—for smooth handling.

Importing from the United Kingdom

Post-Brexit imports from the UK to the Netherlands formally require customs clearance with all associated documents: commercial invoice, packing list, Certificate of Origin, and any permits. For goods of UK origin, a zero tariff applies under the TCA agreement, provided proper documentation.

Popular UK Products

• Pharmaceuticals and biotech products
• Aerospace components (UK is a major aviation manufacturer)
• Whisky and food products (with DEFRA documents)
• Fintech hardware and software

Aircargo.nl manages the full post-Brexit customs clearance, ensuring your goods arrive without customs surprises.

Chile as a Crosstrade Destination

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

Aircargo.nl has agent relationships in Santiago and can coordinate crosstrade documentation—including Chilean clearance and SAG phytosanitary handling—without the shipment having to physically land in the Netherlands.

Points of attention for flower transport

Cold chain

Flowers must be kept between 2–8°C throughout the entire transport. Any temperature interruption accelerates the aging process and reduces shelf life for the end customer. Aircargo.nl works exclusively with certified cool-chain handlers at Schiphol.

Phytosanitary requirements

A phytosanitary certificate is mandatory for importing plants and cut flowers from countries outside the EU. This certificate is issued by the plant health authority of the exporting country and confirms that the shipment is free from pests. Aircargo.nl routinely checks and processes all phytosanitary documents.

CITES

Certain orchids and exotic plants fall under CITES protection and require a CITES permit. Always contact us if you are unsure about the CITES status of your products.