Deep Freeze by Air Freight to India

Frozen Goods by Air Freight: Maintaining Quality Over Long Distances

At first glance, frozen products might not seem like a logical choice for air freight—after all, sea freight in refrigerated containers is much cheaper. But for certain frozen products, air freight is the better option due to quality, freshness, or urgency reasons.

When Ship Frozen Goods by Air?

• High-End Seafood: deep-frozen lobster, scallops, tuna, and other premium seafood for the restaurant industry—where quality deteriorates too much during long sea transport
• Pharmaceutical Frozen Products: vaccines, biologicals, and certain blood products that require -20°C or lower and cannot be shipped by sea
• Seasonal Urgency: when a specific frozen product must be available urgently—for example, for a major buyer or a retail chain that has missed stock
• Small, High-Value Batches: where the value per kilogram justifies the higher air freight rates

Aircargo.nl is fully equipped for frozen transport: from dry ice calculation to veterinary notifications and NVWA customs clearance.

Exporting to India

India is one of the most complex yet promising destinations for air freight. The country is growing rapidly, and the demand for specialized European products — machinery, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and high-tech components — increases year over year. Schiphol offers direct cargo flights to Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), and Bangalore (BLR).

Indian Customs — Be Well Prepared

India is known for its complex customs procedures. Import duties are high (averaging 10–30% per product category), and documentation requirements are strict. Incorrect HS codes or incomplete invoices are guaranteed to cause delays. Additionally, certain products require prior registration with Indian authorities (BIS, CDSCO for medical products).

Key Points

• BIS registration is mandatory for many electronic devices
• CDSCO approval for pharmaceuticals and medical devices
• FSSAI registration for food products
• Import licenses may be required depending on the type of goods
• Payment by Letter of Credit is common for higher-value shipments

Key Considerations for Frozen Air Freight

Uninterrupted Cold Chain

Frozen products must be kept at a minimum of -18°C for the entire duration of transport. This requires dry ice (carbon dioxide, UN1845 — classified as DGR), certified freezer containers (unit load devices), or a combination of both. Aircargo.nl arranges the correct cooling based on flight time and product.

Dry Ice — DGR Considerations

Dry ice is classified as dangerous goods (UN1845, class 9) and must be documented on the AWB and Shipper’s Declaration. The amount of dry ice per shipment is limited by airline regulations. Aircargo.nl always calculates the required amount of dry ice based on flight time plus buffer hours and properly records this in the documentation.

Health Certificates

Frozen products of animal origin (meat, fish, shellfish) require a veterinary health certificate when imported into the EU and are inspected at designated border inspection posts (BIP). Aircargo.nl pre-notifies the shipment to the NVWA for smooth customs clearance.