Valuable Goods by Air Freight to Uzbekistan

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 Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is the most populous economy in Central Asia and is undergoing rapid modernization. Demand for Dutch machinery, agri-technology, medical equipment, and construction materials is strongly increasing. Schiphol does not have direct cargo flights — routing usually goes via Istanbul (Turkish Cargo), Frankfurt, or Riga to Tashkent (TAS) or Samarkand (SKD). Typical transit time is 2–4 days.

Customs & Regulation

Uzbekistan is not a member of the EAEU and applies its own import tariffs and regulations. Importers must have a valid STIR tax number. Most shipments require a commercial invoice, packing list, and Certificate of Origin. Separate certification requirements apply for food products, medical equipment, and chemicals via Uzstandart.

Practical Tips

• Documentation in Russian significantly speeds up customs clearance
• Exchange rate regulations and payment transactions can be complex — coordinate in advance with your Uzbek importer
• Export permits from the Netherlands are required for dual-use and mining-related goods

Aircargo.nl works with dedicated agents in Tashkent and manages the complete documentation including translation and local coordination of customs clearance.

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.