Textiles & clothing air freight from China to United States

Textiles & fashion by air freight: when and why

Textiles and clothing mostly ship by sea — sea freight is cheaper and volumes are large. But there are specific situations where air freight is unavoidable or smart:

• Seasonal pressure — If the new collection arrives late from the manufacturer in Asia and the store introduction date is fixed, part of the order goes by air
• Fast fashion replenishment — Fashion companies quickly reorder from suppliers in Bangladesh or Vietnam based on sales data
• High-end or luxury fashion — Where the value per kg is high enough to justify air freight rates
• Sample shipments — Prototypes and samples for showroom or photography — speed is essential

Exporting to China

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

Customs & Regulations

Chinese customs are known to be strict. Each shipment requires a correct commercial invoice, detailed packing list, and in many cases a Certificate of Origin. For foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, mandatory registration with the GACC (General Administration of Customs China) applies. 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 accordingly

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

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 on imports from the US

The US and 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 importing into the EU. Aerospace parts fall under 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 crosstrades, Schiphol acts as a European hub for goods not shipped from the Netherlands itself. China is a highly sought-after link in crosstrade routes both as a country of origin and destination, for example for goods routed via AMS from the US, UK, or Middle East to China.

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

Points of attention for textiles & clothing

Origin documentation

Textiles have strict origin rules for tariff preferences. The 'double transformation rule' specifies that textiles gain EU origin only if both weaving and confection take place in the EU. Incorrect origin leads to additional charges. Aircargo.nl checks the origin for all textile shipments.

Seasonality

Fashion cargo is highly seasonal. Q4 (October–December) and Q1 (January–March) are peak seasons. Plan air freight in time — during peak periods, capacity on Asia routes is limited and expensive.