Valuable goods air freight from United Arab Emirates to Brazil

Valuable goods by air freight: security and speed

Gold, diamonds, watches, art, jewelry, banknotes and other valuable goods have two things in common: they are small (light shipments) and the value per kilogram is extremely high. Air freight is not only the fastest for this type of goods — it is also the safest mode of transport.

Sea freight with a container full of valuable goods is a security nightmare: container theft, long dwell times at ports, limited traceability. Air freight via secure cargo terminals with direct handling from aircraft to vault minimizes the risk.

What do we ship as valuable goods?

• Precious metals: gold, silver, platinum (in bars or coins)
• Precious stones: diamonds (certified), 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 the UAE

The UAE is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and a top destination for Dutch exporters, especially in the construction, technology, luxury goods, and food sectors. Dubai World Central (DWB) and Dubai International (DXB) together form one of the busiest air cargo hubs in the world.

Customs & Requirements

The UAE has low customs duties (standard 5%) and a straightforward import regime—one of the reasons the country is so popular as a trade destination. However, documents must be completely accurate: missing or incorrect invoices lead directly to delays. Alcoholic beverages, certain pharmaceuticals, and dual-use goods are strictly regulated or prohibited.

Practical Information

• Halal certification is mandatory for food products
• Flight time from AMS about 7 hours—next-day delivery possible for urgent shipments
• The AED currency is pegged to the USD—providing a stable trade environment
• Ramadan causes adjusted working hours—plan shipments accordingly

Importing from Brazil

Brazil is a top producer of agricultural commodities: soy, sugar, coffee, citrus, and meat. In addition, Brazil exports aircraft parts (Embraer), machinery, and petrochemical products. Air freight from Brazil mainly involves high-value or time-sensitive goods: fresh fruit juices, pharmaceutical raw materials, aircraft parts, and precious stones.

Import duties & documentation

Standard EU import duties apply when importing from Brazil into the EU. The EU-Mercosur trade agreement (under negotiation) is expected to reduce tariffs on many Brazilian products. Certificates of origin are mandatory when claiming preferential tariffs.

UAE as a Regional Distribution Hub

Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) are the Middle East’s key logistics hubs. Many goods destined for Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, or Pakistan are routed through the UAE. Aircargo.nl can forward shipments via Schiphol to Dubai, where our local agent handles regional distribution.

The UAE has a zero-tolerance customs policy: documents must be fully accurate. Our documentation specialists review every shipment before departure.

Important notes for valuable goods

Secure handling mandatory

Valuable goods at Schiphol are exclusively processed via secure cargo terminals with access control, CCTV surveillance and armed security if required. Aircargo.nl cooperates with specialized valuables handlers certified for high-value cargo.

Insurance

Standard air freight insurance covers up to 22 SDR per kilogram — usually insufficient for valuable goods. Aircargo.nl always advises additional all-risk transport insurance based on the actual value. We can arrange this insurance upon request.

Documentation

A detailed value declaration with serial numbers, photos and certificates (e.g. GIA certificate for diamonds, authenticity certificates for art) is essential. Upon import into some countries (e.g. India, UAE) high-value shipments are routinely subject to extra checks.

Routing & splitting

For very high values (above €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.