Valuable Goods by Air Freight to England

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 the United Kingdom

Post-Brexit, the UK is a full third country — meaning that exports from the Netherlands to the UK now require export declarations, a commercial invoice, packing list, and in many cases a Certificate of Origin. For goods of Dutch or EU origin, an EUR.1 or origin statement is required to benefit from the zero rate under the TCA (Trade and Cooperation Agreement).

Practical considerations

• UK importer must be registered with HMRC with an EORI number
• Pharmaceuticals and medical devices require MHRA approval for the UK market
• Food safety: DEFRA regulations for food products are strict
• Flight time AMS–LHR approximately 1.5 hours — same-day delivery possible with morning departure

Aircargo.nl has extensive post-Brexit experience and will guide you through all documentation for a smooth process.

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.