Machines & Parts air freight from China to United States

Why ship machines & parts by air freight?

Machines and industrial parts are heavy and large — not usually the first thing that comes to mind for air freight. Still, air freight is often the best option for these goods for three reasons:

1. Downtime costs more than shipping — A production line that is down due to a failed part often costs €5,000–50,000 per day in lost revenue. The extra cost of air freight versus sea freight is negligible in comparison.

2. Value versus weight — Precision parts (CNC tools, hydraulic pumps, servo motors) carry a high value per kilogram. Air freight rates are reasonable relative to their value.

3. Time-critical projects — For installations, commissioning, or repairs when technicians are on standby, delays are unacceptable. Air freight guarantees arrival time certainty.

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 the United States

Imports from the US often involve high-value goods: medical equipment, semiconductors, aerospace parts, pharmaceuticals, and specialized machinery. The approximately 9-hour flight time makes air freight the logical choice for time-sensitive or valuable shipments.

Customs for imports from the US

The US and the EU do not have a free trade agreement, so standard EU import duties apply. Additional MDR/IVDR requirements apply for pharmaceuticals and medical devices when imported into the EU. Aerospace parts are subject to EASA regulations and require specific certificates (EASA Form 1 or FAA 8130-3).

Frequently requested goods from the US

• Medical and surgical equipment
• Semiconductors and chipsets
• Aerospace parts (AOG)
• Pharmaceuticals and biotech products
• Machinery and industrial tools

Aircargo.nl manages daily import shipments from the US — including customs clearance, any FDA documentation, and delivery throughout the Netherlands.

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.

Key considerations for machines & parts

Weight and dimensions

Machines and heavy parts often exceed standard air freight size or weight limits. Shipments over 500 kg per piece or with oversized dimensions require special freighter flights or dedicated space on cargo aircraft. Aircargo.nl has access to freighters from KLM Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, and other carriers for oversized cargo.

Detailed packing list

Machines typically have complex assemblies: multiple parts, materials, and values. A detailed and accurate packing list is essential for customs clearance, especially for destinations with high import duties on capital goods (India, Brazil).

AOG situations

When a machine production process stops due to a broken part, every minute counts. Aircargo.nl operates a 24/7 AOG desk for time-critical machine parts — from booking to delivery on the production floor.