Importing Electronics from India

Why electronics by air freight?

Electronics is especially well suited for air freight. The high value per kilogram makes the relatively higher transport costs of air freight economically justifiable — and the short lead time limits the capital tied up in goods in transit.

Production lines come to a halt if parts don't arrive on time. Air freight guarantees that your PCBs, semiconductors or displays are on the production floor within days — not weeks as with sea freight. This makes air freight not only fast but also financially wise for high-value, time-critical components.

Typical air freight shipments electronics

• Semiconductor chips and wafers (high risk, high value)
• Replacement parts for production equipment (machine downtime costs thousands per hour)
• Consumer electronics for seasonal peaks (Black Friday, Christmas)
• Medical electronic equipment (strict regulation, time-critical)
• Prototypes and pre-series products for product launches

Importing from India

India is a leading producer of pharmaceutical APIs and generic medicines, textiles, precious and semi-precious stones, and IT hardware. The Indian pharma industry supplies hundreds of Dutch and European importers—and air freight is the standard mode for time-sensitive pharmaceutical raw materials.

Specific Points of Attention

• Pharmaceutical APIs require GMP certificates and European registration
• Precious stones and jewelry require detailed valuation statements and proof of insurance
• Textiles may be subject to anti-dumping measures—check the HS code

Aircargo.nl supports importers through European customs clearance of Indian goods and ensures all required certificates are in place.

Points of attention for air freight electronics

Electronics is a broad category — from consumer gadgets to industrial PCBs and semiconductors. Most points of attention revolve around two things: lithium batteries and export control.

Lithium batteries (DGR)

Products with built-in or loose lithium batteries are subject to IATA DGR regulations (UN3480, UN3481, UN3090, UN3091). This also applies to phones, laptops and power banks. Shipments must be correctly classified, packaged and documented. Aircargo.nl is DGR-certified and handles this completely.

Export control

Certain electronics and semiconductors fall under dual-use regulations (EU Dual-Use Regulation 2021/821). For export to countries outside the EU an export license may be required. This applies particularly to chips, encryption equipment and communication technology. Aircargo.nl routinely screens for export control obligations.

Packaging & ESD

• ESD-sensitive components must be in antistatic packaging
• Screen markings (screens, displays) require firmly supported transport
• High-value shipments are transported securely (screened cargo)