Valuable Goods by Air Freight to Kazakhstan

Valuable Goods by Air Freight: Security and Speed

Gold, diamonds, watches, art, jewelry, banknotes, and other valuable goods share two things in common: they are small (light shipments) and have an extremely high value per kilogram. Air freight is not only the fastest transport mode for these types of goods — it is also the safest.

Sea freight with a container full of valuables is a security nightmare: container theft, lengthy stays in ports, limited traceability. Air freight through secured cargo terminals with direct handling from plane to vault minimizes risk.

What Do We Ship as Valuable Goods?

• Precious metals: gold, silver, platinum (in bars or coins)
• Gemstones: certified diamonds, rubies, emeralds
• Luxury watches and jewelry (for brands, retailers, and private individuals)
• Art and antiques (with ATA Carnet for temporary import)
• Banknotes and securities (on behalf of banks and central banks)
• Smartphones and high-end electronics with high street value

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.

Important Notes on Valuable Goods

Secure Handling Mandatory

Valuable goods at Schiphol are processed exclusively through secure cargo terminals with access control, CCTV, and armed security when required. Aircargo.nl partners with specialized valuables handlers certified for high-value cargo.

Insurance

Standard air freight insurance covers a maximum of 22 SDR per kilogram — almost always insufficient for valuable goods. Aircargo.nl always recommends additional all-risk transport insurance based on actual value. We can arrange this insurance upon request.

Documentation

A detailed value declaration including serial numbers, photos, and certificates (e.g., GIA certificate for diamonds, authenticity certificates for art) is essential. High-value shipments are routinely subjected to extra inspections in some countries (e.g., India, UAE).

Routing & Splitting

For very high values (over €500,000), we advise splitting the shipment over multiple flights to reduce risk. This requires coordination with the recipient and possibly additional security measures at the destination.