Flowers & Plants air freight from Saudi Arabia to United Arab Emirates

Why ship flowers & plants by air freight?

Cut flowers and plants have a shelf life of only a few days. Air freight is not just an option — it’s the only option. Roses picked in Kenya on Monday need to be at the auction in Aalsmeer by Wednesday. This is only possible through air freight 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 years of experience with the specific demands of flower transport: speed, cooling, phytosanitary documentation, and direct delivery to the auction.

Typical flower transport routes

• Kenya (roses, lilies) → Schiphol: several times daily
• Ecuador & Colombia (roses, chrysanthemums) → Schiphol via Miami or direct
• Ethiopia → Schiphol: growing cut flower sector
• Export Dutch flowers → USA, 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 offers 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 a strict import regime. 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 stranded shipments
• Avoid shipments containing images, symbols, or packaging that conflict with local customs and values
• Account for delays during Ramadan, the Hajj season, and national holidays

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

Importing from the UAE

Imports from the UAE to the Netherlands often involve re-exports: goods previously entered through Dubai now destined for Europe. Think Asian electronics, luxury products, and jewelry. Besides re-exports, the UAE is also a direct producer of petrochemical products and aluminum.

Documentation for imports from the UAE

Certificates of origin are crucial — the UAE is a trading hub, and the true origin of goods must be accurately documented to apply correct EU import duties. Aircargo.nl always verifies origin documentation and HS codes before customs clearance.

Saudi Arabia as a crosstrade destination

Schiphol is a natural European hub for crosstrades to Saudi Arabia, especially for shipments originating from the US, Asian markets, or the UK that transit through AMS en route to RUH, JED, or DMM. The connectivity of Saudia Cargo and the hub role of Doha (Qatar) make this an efficient routing.

Aircargo.nl has direct agents in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam and can coordinate the complete documentation chain — including SABER registration and local customs clearance — from Aalsmeer.

Key considerations for flower transport

Cold chain

Flowers must be kept at 2–8°C throughout transport. Any break in temperature accelerates aging and reduces shelf life for the end buyer. Aircargo.nl only works with certified cold-chain handlers at Schiphol.

Phytosanitary requirements

Imports of plants and cut flowers from outside the EU require a phytosanitary certificate. This certificate is issued by the plant health authority of the exporting country and confirms the shipment is free of pests. Aircargo.nl routinely verifies 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’re unsure about the CITES status of your products.