Auto Parts air freight from Turkey to United States

Why Ship Auto Parts by Air Freight?

In the automotive world, downtime is the enemy. An assembly line that stops because a specific part is not delivered on time costs a manufacturer tens of thousands of dollars per hour. Air freight is not a luxury in this case — it’s the only logistics option to minimize downtime.

But even outside of emergencies, air freight is structurally relevant for auto parts. The modern automotive supply chain is global and just-in-time: parts are produced on multiple continents and need to arrive exactly when required on the assembly line. For high-value components such as electronic steering modules, airbag systems, or turbochargers, the value per kilogram is high enough to justify airfreight rates.

When Do Shippers Choose Air Freight?

• AOG — Aircraft on Ground: also in the aviation industry, AOG refers to any situation where a vehicle or aircraft is grounded due to a defective part
• Production bottlenecks: when a supplier is late and the line risks stopping
• Product launches: new models require timely availability of parts at dealerships worldwide
• After-sales & warranty: customers who don't want to wait weeks for a warranty part

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 goods, which greatly simplifies import procedures. Schiphol operates several 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 cover 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

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

Aircargo.nl works closely with Turkish Cargo and local agents in Istanbul to manage the entire document chain — including A.TR and EUR.1 certificates — ensuring optimal handling.

Importing from the United States

Imports from the US often involve high-value goods: medical equipment, semiconductors, aerospace parts, pharmaceuticals, and specialized machinery. The approximately 9-hour flight time makes air freight the logical choice for time-sensitive or valuable shipments.

Customs for imports from the US

The US and the EU do not have a free trade agreement, so standard EU import duties apply. Additional MDR/IVDR requirements apply for pharmaceuticals and medical devices when imported into the EU. Aerospace parts are subject to EASA regulations and require specific certificates (EASA Form 1 or FAA 8130-3).

Frequently requested goods from the US

• Medical and surgical equipment
• Semiconductors and chipsets
• Aerospace parts (AOG)
• Pharmaceuticals and biotech products
• Machinery and industrial tools

Aircargo.nl manages daily import shipments from the US — including customs clearance, any FDA documentation, and delivery throughout the Netherlands.

Turkey as a Cross-Trade Hub

Istanbul (IST) is among the world’s most advanced cargo hubs and home to Turkish Cargo — Europe’s air cargo volume leader. Schiphol extensively uses Istanbul as a transit hub for shipments bound for 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 those destined for Turkey itself.

Key Points for Air Freight of Auto Parts

AOG Declaration

In true AOG situations (Aircraft or Automotive on Ground), an AOG declaration can be sent with the shipment to ensure priority handling by the airline and at the destination airport. Aircargo.nl operates a 24/7 accessible AOG desk for such urgent shipments.

Dangerous Goods in Auto Parts

Some auto parts contain dangerous goods requiring DGR classification: airbags (UN0503, explosive), lead-acid batteries (UN2794), lithium-ion batteries for EVs (UN3480/UN3481), and liquids such as brake fluid or coolant. Aircargo.nl screens all shipments for DGR risks as standard.

Value Declaration

Electronic modules, steering boxes, and sensors can have high unit values. Accurate value declaration on the AWB is essential for insurance and customs clearance — especially when importing into countries with high import duties on auto parts (e.g., India, Brazil).