Vegetables & Fruit via air freight to United States
Expert transport of Vegetables & Fruit from the Netherlands to United States. IATA category perishables, flight time approximately 9 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
United States
United States · North America
- electronics
- pharmaceuticals
- machinery
- auto parts
- valuable goods
Exporting to the United States
The US is the largest importer in the world and a top destination for Dutch exporters. Schiphol offers daily direct cargo flights to New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), and Atlanta (ATL), with a flight time of about 9 hours. Due to the wide availability, air freight rates to the US are generally competitive.
US Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
US customs requires a correct Airway Bill, commercial invoice, and packing list for every shipment. Shipments over $800 require a formal customs entry (ISF declaration). Electronics, pharmaceuticals, and dual-use goods may require additional permits, such as an EAR export license or FDA registration of the manufacturer.
What you need to know
- Lithium batteries are subject to IATA DGR rules — always notify in advance
- Certain goods fall under EAR (Export Administration Regulations) and require a BIS license
- The US has no VAT but does charge customs duties — your buyer pays these upon import
- ISF 10+2 declaration is mandatory for sea freight; AMS (Advance Manifest System) applies for air freight
Aircargo.nl handles the complete export documentation towards the US and has established relationships with US customs agents at all major hubs.
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 shipping to United States?
Request a specific quote for Vegetables & Fruit to United States. We reply on average within 4 hours.
The export process for Vegetables & Fruit to United States
Quote & booking
Packaging & documents
Export & departure Schiphol
Arrival & delivery
Frequently asked questions — Vegetables & Fruit to United States
What IATA requirements apply to Vegetables & Fruit?
Vegetables & Fruit falls under IATA category perishables. This determines the packaging, labeling, and documentation requirements. Aircargo.nl fully handles this for you in accordance with applicable IATA regulations.
What does air freight of Vegetables & Fruit to United States cost?
The price depends on weight, volume, any special handling, and the chosen carrier. Typical weight for Vegetables & Fruit ranges between 100 and 10000 kg. Request a non-binding quote — we usually respond within 4 hours.
How long does delivery to United States take?
The flight time from Schiphol to United States is approximately 9 hours. Including pickup, export customs, and local delivery, the total transit time averages 3–5 working days.
Which documents are needed for export of Vegetables & Fruit to United States?
Standard required documents are 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 also needed. Aircargo.nl prepares all documentation for you.
Can Aircargo.nl pick up Vegetables & Fruit from me?
Yes, we pick up your shipment throughout the Netherlands. Alternatively, you can deliver it yourself to our warehouse in Aalsmeer, 10 minutes from Schiphol.
Vegetables & Fruit shipping to United States?
Request a specific quote for Vegetables & Fruit to United States. We reply on average within 4 hours.