Vegetables & Fruit by Air Freight to Japan
Specialized transport of Vegetables & Fruit from the Netherlands to Japan. IATA category perishables, flight time approx. 11 hours from Schiphol.
Vegetables & Fruit
Specifications & requirements
- Temperature-controlled
- Limited shelf life
- Stackable
- Phytosanitary certificate, Certificate of Origin, commercial invoice, packing list
- health certificate for animal products
- supermarket chains
- fresh produce importers
- traders
- horticultural exporters
Fresh vegetables & fruit: air freight as the only option
Fresh vegetables and fruit have a shelf life of days — not weeks. Products like asparagus, strawberries, mangoes or avocados from distant destinations simply cannot be shipped by sea without quality loss. Air freight is the only way to bring fresh produce from the field to the supermarket within the product life cycle.
The Netherlands is the logistics hub of the European fresh produce trade. The proximity of Schiphol, the flower auction in Aalsmeer and the large cold stores in Haarlemmermeer make it the ideal hub for fresh air freight.
Popular routes
- Kenya, Ethiopia → NL: French beans, sugar snaps, avocados
- Peru, Chile → NL: berries, asparagus, grapes (winter season)
- Morocco → NL: tomatoes, peppers (but also by road)
- NL → worldwide: Dutch tomatoes, peppers, strawberries
Japan
Japan · Asia
- auto parts
- electronics
- precision instruments
- pharmaceuticals
- optics
Exporting to Japan
Japan is a demanding but reliable trading partner. The country imports high-quality European products: precision machinery, pharmaceuticals, food (cheese, flowers, beer), and luxury goods. The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) came into effect in 2019 — resulting in low or zero import duties on many EU products imported into Japan, provided they are accompanied by a EUR.1 or certificate of origin.
Japanese Customs Requirements
Japanese Customs is known for its accuracy and strict documentation requirements. The commercial invoice must be complete: detailed product description, HS code, value per item, and country of origin. Incomplete documents are consistently returned.
Key Points
- EPA: use Origin Declaration for shipments over €6,000 (REX system)
- Cosmetics and food require compliance with the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act (PMD Act)
- Electrical appliances must comply with PSE marking
- Flight time around 11 hours — allow sufficient lead time for customs clearance
Considerations for vegetables & fruit air freight
Cold chain
Fresh vegetables and fruit are extremely temperature sensitive. Depending on the product, the optimal transport temperature varies from 0–1°C (berries, leafy greens) to 10–14°C (tropical fruit). Aircargo.nl arranges specialized cold cargo handling at Schiphol and monitors the temperature chain from start to finish.
Phytosanitary inspections
All fresh products from non-EU countries undergo phytosanitary inspection upon entry into the EU. This can add 4–8 hours of extra processing time. Aircargo.nl notifies your shipment in advance to the NVWA to minimize delays.
Customs & import duties
Fresh fruit and vegetables fall under the EU Common Customs Tariff (CCT) and may incur high seasonal import duties — especially for products that compete with EU cultivation (tomatoes, strawberries, citrus).
Vegetables & Fruit exporting to Japan?
Get a specific quote for Vegetables & Fruit to Japan. We typically respond within 4 hours.
How we ship Vegetables & Fruit to Japan
Quote & booking
Packaging & documents
Export & departure Schiphol
Arrival & delivery
Frequently Asked Questions — Vegetables & Fruit to Japan
What IATA requirements apply to Vegetables & Fruit?
Vegetables & Fruit is classified under IATA category perishables. This determines packaging, labeling, and documentation requirements. Aircargo.nl fully manages this for you in compliance with the applicable IATA regulations.
What does air freight of Vegetables & Fruit to Japan cost?
The price depends on weight, volume, any special handling, and the chosen carrier. Vegetables & Fruit typically weighs between 100 and 10000 kg. Request a non-binding quote — we usually respond within 4 hours.
How long does delivery to Japan take?
The flight time from Schiphol to Japan is approximately 11 hours. Including pickup, export customs, and local delivery, the total transit time averages 3–5 business days.
What documents are needed to export Vegetables & Fruit to Japan?
Standard required documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, and Air Waybill. For Vegetables & Fruit, Phytosanitary certificate, Certificate of Origin, commercial invoice, packing list; health certificate for animal products are additionally required. Aircargo.nl prepares all documentation for you.
Can Aircargo.nl pick up Vegetables & Fruit from me?
Yes, we collect your shipment anywhere in the Netherlands. Alternatively, you can deliver yourself to our warehouse in Aalsmeer, just 10 minutes from Schiphol.
Vegetables & Fruit exporting to Japan?
Get a specific quote for Vegetables & Fruit to Japan. We typically respond within 4 hours.