Valuable Goods air freight from China to Japan

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 China

China is the world’s second-largest importer and one of the most sought-after destinations for Dutch air freight. Schiphol offers direct cargo flights to Shanghai (PVG), Beijing (PEK), and Guangzhou (CAN), ensuring most shipments arrive cargo-to-cargo within 12–14 hours.

Customs & Regulations

Chinese customs are known to be strict. Every shipment requires an accurate commercial invoice, a detailed packing list, and often a Certificate of Origin. For food products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, mandatory registration with the GACC (General Administration of Customs China) is required. Electronics intended for the Chinese market must comply with CCC certification.

Practical Tips

• Ensure all documents are provided in English and preferably also in Chinese
• Dual-use goods require an export license from the Netherlands
• Chinese holidays (including Golden Week and Chinese New Year) cause significant delays — plan well in advance

Aircargo.nl handles shipments to China daily and is familiar with the pitfalls. We manage the complete export documentation and coordinate with our local agents for smooth processing.

Importing from Japan

Japan exports world-renowned products: auto parts (Toyota, Honda, Nissan supply chains), electronics (Sony, Panasonic, Kyocera), precision instruments, and optical equipment. Dutch importers in the automotive and high-tech sectors frequently use air freight from Japan.

Flight Time & Lead Time

With a flight time of around 11 hours, Japan is one of the longer routes from AMS. Together with customs clearance in the Netherlands, a realistic door-to-door lead time is 3–5 business days. For AOG parts, priority handling options are available at Narita (NRT) or Osaka (KIX).

EU-Japan EPA on Imports

Japanese products benefit from the EPA: many categories enjoy zero import duties when entering the EU, provided they have a Japanese Origin Declaration. Aircargo.nl always checks if your shipment qualifies for EPA tariffs.

China as a Crosstrade Destination

In crosstrade operations, Schiphol acts as a European hub for goods not shipped directly from the Netherlands. China is a highly demanded link in crosstrade routes both as origin and destination, for example for goods routed from the US, UK, or Middle East to China via AMS.

Aircargo.nl has direct relationships with Chinese cargo agents in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen and can coordinate the entire documentation flow — including Chinese customs formalities — from Aalsmeer.

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.