Machines & parts air freight from Turkey to Kazakhstan

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 trading 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 offers multiple direct cargo flights daily to Istanbul (IST) via Turkish Cargo — the market leader in air freight. Cargo-to-cargo transit typically 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 under an A.TR certificate. This customs union does not apply to agricultural products — EUR.1 certificates or standard import duties are required in those cases. For foodstuffs, cosmetics, and medical devices, TITCK and Tarim Bakanligi registrations are necessary.

Practical tips

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

Aircargo.nl works closely with Turkish Cargo and local agents in Istanbul, managing the full documentation process — including A.TR and EUR.1 certificates — for smooth handling.

Importing from Kazakhstan

Imports from Kazakhstan via air cargo are relatively limited and mainly involve high-quality industrial components, mining samples, pharmaceutical raw materials, and certain specialty foods such as caviar.

Air Cargo vs. Sea/Rail

Kazakhstan is landlocked — sea freight is not an option. Rail transport via the Trans-Asian route takes 18–25 days to Rotterdam, while air cargo via Schiphol is customs cleared within 1–3 business days. For urgent shipments or high-value goods, air freight is the logical choice.

Customs on Imports from Kazakhstan

EU import duties apply depending on the HS code. Reduced rates may apply under the GSP system for certain goods. Aircargo.nl handles clearance at Schiphol and offers fiscal representation when needed.

Frequently Requested Goods from Kazakhstan

• Mining samples and soil specimens
• Pharmaceutical raw materials and uranium derivatives (under license)
• Industrial parts and spare parts
• Specialty foods and agricultural samples

Turkey as a crosstrade hub

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

Aircargo.nl maintains direct connections with Turkish Cargo and local agents in Istanbul, coordinating freight documentation for both transit shipments and destination traffic to Turkey itself.

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.