Customs Clearance for Flowers & Plants to and from China
Aircargo.nl handles the complete customs clearance for Flowers & Plants to and from China. AEO-F certified, experienced with specific permits, certificates, and origin documents for this combination.
For Flowers & Plants between the Netherlands and China require attention on multiple fronts. On one side are the product-specific rules for Flowers & Plants (HS codes, certificates, possibly DGR). On the other side: the trade regime between the EU and China (Derde land zonder akkoord) determines which import duties and origin documents apply.
On this page you will find the combination: what specifically applies to Flowers & Plants, plus what specifically applies to China, plus how Aircargo.nl handles this combination daily.
Specific Rules for Flowers & Plants
Flowers and plants are phytosanitary sensitive. For every shipment from a third country, Dutch Customs plus the NVWA require a valid phytosanitary certificate. For CITES species (orchids, certain cycas varieties) a CITES permit is additionally required. Inspections are consistently more stringent than for ordinary goods due to strict visual inspection protocols.
HS Code Examples:
Cut flowers — chapter 06: 0603.11 roses, 0603.12 carnations, 0603.19 other fresh cut flowers. Live plants: 0602.90 other live plants. Bulbs and tubers: 0601.10. For export use 8-digit CN codes, for import 10-digit TARIC codes.
Specific Rules for China
By far the largest non-EU origin of Dutch air freight. No free trade agreement between the EU and China — shipments are subject to standard Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariffs. Anti-dumping measures apply to various product groups: aluminum, steel products, bicycles, e-bikes, certain LED products, urea, and solar panels under specific conditions. Counterfeit controls are more intensive than average.
Typical Documents:
Commercial invoice, packing list, Air Waybill, Certificate of Origin (via CCPIT) optional for trade purposes, dual-use screening for electronics, anti-dumping checks for steel/aluminum/bicycles.
Import Duties and Fees for Flowers & Plants from China
Import duties on cut flowers from non-EU countries generally range from 5-12% depending on type and season. Under free trade agreements (Kenya under EBA, Israel, Morocco) duties are often 0%. On top of import duties there is 9% VAT for fresh flowers in the Netherlands.
Under which regime: China falls under the “Derde land zonder akkoord”. Origin document for preferential tariff: factuurverklaring. We calculate exactly what you owe in advance and prepare the correct origin document.
Our ACE license (Authorized Consignor) allows flower shipments to come directly from Schiphol to our facility in Aalsmeer — crucial due to the short shelf life. With our DPO license (Deferred Payment), we invoice import duties grouped instead of per shipment.
Key Figures for Flowers & Plants China
Frequently Asked Questions about Flowers & Plants China
How long does customs clearance take for Flowers & Plants from China?
With correct documentation, release usually follows within a few hours at Schiphol. For China shipments, we expect 4-8 hours after Schiphol arrival (provided AEO status and correct paperwork). Additional inspections (phytosanitary, veterinary, NVWA) may require extra time for Flowers & Plants — we notify you in advance to minimize waiting times.
What documents do I need for Flowers & Plants China?
For Flowers & Plants: see the product-specific certificates above. For China: see typical documents above. The combination means we gather both sets and coordinate them. You provide the commercial invoice, packing list, and any certificates — we validate and file the declaration.
Can I pay import duties for this flow on a grouped basis?
Yes. Under our DPO permit (Deferred Payment), you can pay import duties and VAT for Flowers & Plants from China on a grouped basis — monthly instead of per shipment.
Which origin document do I use for a preferential tariff?
factuurverklaring. We prepare this document under our authorization as customs broker, provided the origin rules (including product-specific rules for Flowers & Plants) are met.
How does your service work in practice?
We provide complete handling: pre-lodgement, import declaration (DMS), any NVWA notifications for Flowers & Plants, and payment processing under DPO if desired. You get one point of contact for the entire process.
Ready for customs clearance of Flowers & Plants China?
Send us your shipment details for customs clearance of Flowers & Plants to China. We respond within 4 hours with a fixed price.