Flowers & plants via air freight to Saudi Arabia

Why flowers & plants by airfreight?

Cut flowers and plants have a shelf life of only a few days. Airfreight is not an option — it is the only option. Roses picked in Kenya on Monday must be in the auction in Aalsmeer by Wednesday. This is only possible via airfreight 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 many years of experience with the specific requirements of flower transport: speed, cooling, phytosanitary documentation, and direct delivery to the auction.

Typical flower transport routes

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

Exporting to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Middle East and an important market for Dutch machinery, spare parts, and pharmaceuticals. Schiphol has direct cargo connections to Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED), and Dammam (DMM) — usually via Saudia Cargo or Qatar Airways through Doha. Cargo-to-cargo transit typically takes 8–14 hours.

Customs & Regulations

Saudi Arabia enforces strict import regulations. Almost every shipment requires a Certificate of Conformity (SABER system), a legalized commercial invoice, and a legalized Certificate of Origin through the Chamber of Commerce. Prior SFDA registration is mandatory for food products, cosmetics, medical devices, and chemicals. Products must comply with SASO standards.

Practical Tips

• Start SABER registration early — delays here are the most common cause of shipments being held up
• Avoid shipments with images, symbols, or packaging that conflict with local norms and values
• Account for delays during Ramadan, Hajj season, and national holidays

Aircargo.nl has years of experience with air freight to Saudi Arabia and works with trusted agents in Riyadh and Jeddah. We handle the entire documentation chain — including legalizations at the Chamber of Commerce and consulate — so your shipment arrives without surprises.

Points of attention for flower transport

Cold chain

Flowers must be kept between 2–8°C throughout the entire transport. Any temperature interruption accelerates the aging process and reduces shelf life for the end customer. Aircargo.nl works exclusively with certified cool-chain handlers at Schiphol.

Phytosanitary requirements

A phytosanitary certificate is mandatory for importing plants and cut flowers from countries outside the EU. This certificate is issued by the plant health authority of the exporting country and confirms that the shipment is free from pests. Aircargo.nl routinely checks 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 are unsure about the CITES status of your products.