Machines & parts air freight from Turkey to Canada

Why machines & parts by air freight?

Machines and industrial parts are heavy and large — not the first association with air freight. Yet air freight is often the best choice for this type of goods, for three reasons:

1. Downtime costs more than transport — A production line halted due to a defective part often costs €5,000–50,000 per day in lost revenue. The extra cost of air freight versus sea freight is then negligible.

2. Value versus weight — Precision parts (CNC tools, hydraulic pumps, servo motors) have high value per kilogram. The air freight rates are reasonable relative to the value.

3. Time-critical projects — For installations, commissioning or repairs where technicians are waiting, delays are unacceptable. Air freight guarantees certainty about arrival time.

Exporting to Turkey

Turkey is one of the Netherlands’ key trade partners just outside the EU. The country is part of a customs union with the EU for industrial products, which greatly simplifies import procedures. Schiphol operates multiple direct cargo flights daily to Istanbul (IST) via Turkish Cargo — the market leader in air freight. Cargo-to-cargo transit usually takes 4–6 hours.

Customs & Regulations

The EU-Turkey customs union applies to industrial products: Dutch goods in free circulation can be cleared duty-free with an A.TR certificate. This customs union does not apply to agricultural products — EUR.1 certificates or regular import duties apply here. For foodstuffs, cosmetics, and medical devices, TITCK and Tarim Bakanligi registrations are required.

Practical Tips

• A correct A.TR certificate is essential for duty-free clearance — verify this for every shipment
• Consider inflation-related exchange rate fluctuations when pricing
• Documentation in Turkish or English is acceptable — Turkish customs are largely digitized

Aircargo.nl works closely with Turkish Cargo and local agents in Istanbul to manage the complete documentation process — including A.TR and EUR.1 certificates — for optimal handling.

Importing from Canada

Imports from Canada mainly consist of high-tech products, medical equipment, raw materials, food items (salmon, maple syrup, lobster), and industrial components. Air freight is ideal for perishables, samples, and urgent parts.

Air Freight vs. Sea Freight

Sea freight from Halifax, Montreal, or Vancouver to Rotterdam takes 8–16 days. Air freight via Schiphol is usually clearance-ready within 1 business day — essential for fresh products and high-value shipments.

Customs for Imports from Canada

Under CETA, Canadian goods enjoy preferential import duties or zero tariffs, provided a proper Statement of Origin is submitted. Fresh products are subject to EU phytosanitary and veterinary inspections at Schiphol via the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). Aircargo.nl manages full customs clearance including NVWA coordination.

Frequently Requested Goods from Canada

• Fresh products (seafood, meat, maple syrup)
• High-tech products and medical equipment
• Aerospace components
• Specialty minerals and raw materials

Turkey as a Crosstrade Hub

Istanbul (IST) is one of the most advanced cargo hubs in the world and home to Turkish Cargo — market leader in air freight volume in Europe. Schiphol extensively uses Istanbul as a transit hub for shipments heading to Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Conversely, cargo from those regions is routed via IST to AMS for European distribution.

Aircargo.nl has direct connections with Turkish Cargo and local agents in Istanbul, coordinating freight documentation for both transit shipments and final deliveries to Turkey.

Points of attention for machines & parts

Weight and dimensions

Machines and heavy parts often exceed standard air freight dimensions or weights. Shipments over 500 kg per piece or with oversized dimensions require special freighter flights or positions on a cargo aircraft. Aircargo.nl has access to freighters from KLM Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo and other carriers for oversized cargo.

Detailed packing list

Machines generally have a complex composition: multiple parts, materials and values. A detailed and accurate packing list is essential for customs clearance, especially for destinations with high import duties on capital goods (India, Brazil).

AOG situations

When a mechanical production process stops due to a defective part, every minute is precious. Aircargo.nl has a 24/7 AOG desk for time-critical machine parts — from booking to delivery on the production floor.