Flowers & Plants air freight from Kazakhstan to China

Why ship flowers & plants by air freight?

Cut flowers and plants have a shelf life of only a few days. Air freight is not just an option — it’s the only option. Roses picked in Kenya on Monday need to be at the auction in Aalsmeer by Wednesday. This is only possible through air freight 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 years of experience with the specific demands of flower transport: speed, cooling, phytosanitary documentation, and direct delivery to the auction.

Typical flower transport routes

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

Exporting to Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia and a growing market for Dutch machinery, mining equipment, agri-technology, and pharmaceuticals. Schiphol has no direct cargo flights to Kazakhstan — shipments usually transit through Frankfurt (Lufthansa Cargo), Istanbul (Turkish Cargo), or Riga en route to Almaty (ALA) or Astana/Nur-Sultan (NQZ). Regular transit times range from 1 to 3 days.

Customs & Regulations

Kazakhstan is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and applies the common EAEU tariff rates. Most shipments require ECCN classification and an EAC conformity declaration. Food products, machinery, and electrical equipment require a TR CU (Technical Regulations of the Customs Union) certificate. Customs in Almaty is known for thorough inspections.

Practical Tips

• EAC certification can take weeks to months — plan this well in advance of shipment
• Documentation must be submitted in Russian or Kazakh for local customs clearance
• Additional export licenses from the Netherlands apply for dual-use and mining-related goods

Aircargo.nl has experience with Central Asian routes and works with reliable agents in Almaty. We handle the full documentation chain — including guidance on EAC certification — to ensure smooth processing.

Importing from China

China is by far the largest exporter to Europe. Most Dutch importers receive shipments from China weekly or even daily — ranging from consumer electronics and machine parts to clothing, toys, and semi-finished products.

Air Freight vs. Sea Freight

Sea freight from China takes 25–35 days. Air freight via Schiphol takes 2–4 business days — including collection, customs clearance, and delivery within the Netherlands. This makes air freight ideal for urgent replenishment, high-value products, or goods with limited shelf life.

Customs on Imports from China

EU import duties apply to goods from China (depending on product type, usually 3.5–12%). Certain product categories — including solar panels, steel, and e-bikes — are subject to anti-dumping duties. Aircargo.nl takes care of full customs clearance and provides an upfront estimate of expected import costs so you won’t face surprises.

Popular Goods from China

• Electronics and components (PCBs, displays, batteries)
• Machines and precision parts
• Textiles and fashion (with seasonal peaks)
• Pharmaceutical raw materials (APIs)

Kazakhstan as a Crosstrade Destination

Kazakhstan is becoming an increasingly important link in crosstrade routes between Europe and Central Asia. Almaty (ALA) serves as a regional cargo hub for transit to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and parts of Western China. Schiphol regularly routes shipments via Frankfurt or Istanbul to ALA for further local distribution.

Aircargo.nl maintains agent relationships in Almaty and Astana and can coordinate multimodal routes — air to Almaty followed by road transport to neighboring EAEU countries where economically viable.

Key considerations for flower transport

Cold chain

Flowers must be kept at 2–8°C throughout transport. Any break in temperature accelerates aging and reduces shelf life for the end buyer. Aircargo.nl only works with certified cold-chain handlers at Schiphol.

Phytosanitary requirements

Imports of plants and cut flowers from outside the EU require a phytosanitary certificate. This certificate is issued by the plant health authority of the exporting country and confirms the shipment is free of pests. Aircargo.nl routinely verifies 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’re unsure about the CITES status of your products.