How Much Does It Cost to Ship Air Freight from the Netherlands?

There is no fixed rate, but there is a realistic range. For those wondering what it costs to ship air cargo from the Netherlands: depending on the destination, weight, and type of cargo, freight costs generally range between €1.50 and €12.00 per kilogram — excluding surcharges and customs fees. Below, we outline the main cost factors so you know what to expect before requesting a quote.

Aircargo.nl is an independent air freight forwarder based in Aalsmeer, right next to Schiphol Airport, active since 2006 and AEO-certified. We operate independently of airlines and agents, serving over 120 destinations worldwide.

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Air Freight from the Netherlands — What to Expect

Air freight from the Netherlands via Schiphol offers access to direct connections to virtually all regions of the world, with competitive rates that vary daily based on supply and demand as well as fuel prices.

Rates fluctuate daily according to airline capacity, fuel prices, seasonal peaks, and geopolitical factors. What you paid last quarter for a shipment to Chicago or Singapore may be significantly different today.

Schiphol is one of the busiest freight hubs in Europe, with direct connections to nearly every region worldwide. This position gives you access to a wide range of routes and competitive prices — as long as you work with a forwarder who knows the market well and can purchase independently.

As an independent forwarder, Aircargo.nl is not tied to any single airline or alliance. This freedom allows us to select the most suitable routing and rate combination for each shipment.

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Key Cost Factors for Air Freight

The final freight price per kilogram results from multiple variables: chargeable weight, destination, and cargo type are by far the most determining factors that influence your total air freight costs.

The ultimate price of an air freight shipment is shaped by several variables. Below we discuss the three most influential ones.

Weight and Volume: Chargeable Weight

Air freight prices are not always calculated based on the actual weight of your shipment. The air freight industry uses chargeable weight: the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight.

You calculate volumetric weight as follows:

Length (cm) × width (cm) × height (cm) ÷ 6,000 = volumetric weight in kg

If you’re shipping a light but bulky box — for example, foam packaging around cut flowers — you pay based on volumetric weight, even if the contents weigh only a fraction of that. The opposite applies to a compact, heavy machine part: actual weight counts. Your forwarder will always charge based on the higher of the two.

Destinations and Routes

The destination is perhaps the biggest price-driving factor. A shipment to Frankfurt is significantly cheaper than the same shipment to Lagos or Bogotá. Available aircraft capacity, the number of intermediate stops (transshipments), and local handling fees at the destination all play a role.

For destinations requiring specific expertise — such as importing from China or exporting to the United States — additional customs and documentation requirements apply that affect the total price.

Class of Cargo and Cargo Type

Not all cargo is the same. Dangerous goods (DG cargo) require special handling, certification, and limited placement onboard — this directly increases costs. Temperature-sensitive goods, such as pharmaceuticals, flowers, or fresh meat, must be stored and transported in controlled environments. AOG parts (Aircraft on Ground) demand top priority levels and express services, where any delay has measurable consequences for your customer.

Aircargo.nl has years of experience with flowers and temperature-sensitive cargo. For more background on customs requirements for this type of shipment, please see customs handling for perishable and temperature-sensitive cargo.

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Surcharges and Additional Costs — What Makes Up the Bill

Besides the base rate per kilogram, the final air freight invoice always includes multiple fixed and variable surcharges: fuel surcharge, security surcharge, terminal handling charges, and Air Waybill (AWB) fees are the most common items.

The base rate per kilogram is only part of the story. In practice, the final bill consists of several components — and that’s often where surprises occur if a quote isn’t transparently structured.

Fuel Surcharge and Security Surcharge

The fuel surcharge is a variable fee airlines charge based on the current jet fuel price. This surcharge changes monthly and can range from a few cents to over €1.00 per kilogram, depending on the route. On busy transatlantic routes, this can add up quickly.

The security surcharge covers the costs of mandatory security measures, including cargo screening. This fee also varies by airline and destination.

Handling Fees and Airport Charges

At Schiphol and destination airports, terminal handling charges (THC) are applied. These cover the costs of loading and unloading, storage, and administration of your shipment in the cargo terminal. Additionally, forwarders charge an AWB fee (Air Waybill fee) for preparing the air freight document.

These fees vary by location. A transparent forwarder itemizes all these charges separately in the quote — no hidden clauses buried at the bottom of the page.

Customs and Documentation Fees

Customs formalities are mandatory for both export and import. This includes the declaration to Dutch Customs, preparing a commercial invoice and packing list, and possibly a EUR.1 certificate or certificate of origin. Import duties and VAT are added on top for imports.

Aircargo.nl is AEO-certified and handles full customs clearance. For importers and exporters looking to better understand their obligations, customs for importers and exporters offers useful insight into relevant regulations.

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Rates per Kilogram: What You Pay by Destination

As an indicative guideline for air freight rates from Schiphol: European destinations cost €1.50–€3.00 per kg, North America €3.00–€6.00 per kg, Asia €3.50–€7.00 per kg, and Africa or South America €4.00–€12.00 per kg — always excluding surcharges and customs fees.

The numbers below are indicative standard air freight prices from Schiphol, excluding surcharges, handling fees, and customs. They provide a rough idea; actual rates fluctuate daily.

Region	Indicative Rate per kg (Excluding Surcharges)
European Destinations	€1.50 – €3.00
North America (US, Canada)	€3.00 – €6.00
Asia (China, Japan, India)	€3.50 – €7.00
Middle East	€3.00 – €5.50
Africa	€4.00 – €10.00
South America	€4.50 – €12.00

For time-critical shipments, express, or charter services, rates are significantly higher. A tailored quote is always the only reliable measure — the table above is intended for initial orientation only.

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Air Freight vs. Sea Freight — When Is Air Freight the Right Choice?

Air freight is on average five to ten times more expensive per kilogram than sea freight but is the preferred choice for time-critical shipments, perishable goods, and high-value cargo where a long transit time entails financial risks.

The decision depends on your priorities, not a general rule of thumb.

Air freight is preferred when:

• Your shipment is time-sensitive (AOG parts, emergency deliveries, production line stoppages)
• The goods are perishable or have limited shelf life (flowers, fresh produce, pharmaceuticals)
• The cargo value is high and lengthy transit presents financial risk
• You ship small to medium volumes for which a full sea container is too large
• The destination is difficult to reach by sea or the sea route is too long

Sea freight is generally wiser when:

• You ship large volumes or heavy machinery
• Transit time is not critical (think four to six weeks for Asia)
• Cost savings outweigh speed

Typical transit times by air freight from Schiphol: Europe 1–2 business days, North America 2–4 business days, Asia 3–5 business days, Africa 3–6 business days. Express options can halve some of these times. A batch of spare parts for a halted production line in Mexico City can sometimes arrive via express service within 48 hours — unthinkable by sea.

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How to Request an Air Freight Quote — What You Need

For an accurate international air freight quote, a forwarder needs at least the gross weight, the dimensions per package, the destination, and a cargo description with HS code. The more complete the request, the sharper and more reliable the price.

An accurate quote starts with precise information. The more thorough your inquiry, the clearer and more dependable the response you receive.

What Information Does a Forwarder Need?

To prepare a quote, Aircargo.nl requires at minimum:

• Weight (gross, per package or total)
• Dimensions (length × width × height per package)
• Number of packages and packaging type
• Destination (airport or city, country)
• Cargo description and HS code
• Desired transit time or latest delivery date
• Special notes: dangerous goods (UN number), temperature requirements, declared value

With the correct HS code, we can prepare customs declarations more efficiently and estimate any import duties early. This prevents surprises later — both in planning and on the invoice.

What Makes an Aircargo.nl Quote Different?

We are not tied to specific airlines or agents. For each shipment, we independently select the best route, carrier, and product — whether direct or via transshipment — to fit your needs and budget.

Our 24/7 availability is not just marketing speak but daily practice. An AOG shipment needing to depart late on a Friday requires immediate action — and you will always reach someone familiar with your case. All quotes are transparently structured: base rate, surcharges, and any customs costs are itemized separately. No hidden fees, no surprises.

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Shipping Air Freight from the Netherlands — Your Next Step

Anyone wondering what it costs to ship air freight from the Netherlands will quickly discover the final price depends on chargeable weight, destination, cargo type, current market rates, and applicable surcharges. There is no single rate — but there is a personal quote.

Aircargo.nl handles international air freight to over 120 destinations worldwide, offering personal guidance, transparent pricing, and 24/7 availability. Request your quote via aircargo.nl or contact our team in Aalsmeer directly. You’ll hear from us quickly — no detours, no surprises.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost to ship a package by air freight from the Netherlands?

Costs vary significantly by destination and cargo type. As a rough guideline: within Europe, you pay on average €1.50 – €3.00 per kg, to North America €3.00 – €6.00 per kg, and to Africa or South America €4.00 – €12.00 per kg. On top of the base rate, surcharges such as fuel and security fees and handling costs apply. A tailored quote gives you the only reliable price.

How is the price of air freight calculated?

The price is calculated based on chargeable weight: the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight (length × width × height in cm ÷ 6,000). Route-based surcharges like fuel surcharge, security surcharge, and terminal handling charges are added. The base rate per kg varies by airline, route, and available capacity at the time of booking.

Is air freight more expensive than sea freight and when is it worthwhile?

Yes, air freight is on average five to ten times more expensive per kilogram than sea freight. It is worthwhile when speed is crucial — for AOG shipments, perishables, time-critical production deliveries, or high-value cargo for which a long transit time presents financial risks. For large volumes without time pressure, sea freight is almost always the more cost-effective choice.

What surcharges are added to the base air freight rate?

The most common surcharges are the fuel surcharge (variable monthly), the security surcharge, terminal handling charges (THC) at departure and destination airports, and an AWB fee for the air waybill document. Special cargo such as dangerous goods or temperature-sensitive items incur additional handling fees. A transparent forwarder itemizes all these charges separately in the quote.

How long does air freight from Schiphol to popular destinations take?

Indicative transit times from Schiphol: Europe 1–2 business days, North America 2–4 business days, Asia 3–5 business days, Africa 3–6 business days. For AOG and time-critical shipments, express options are available that can significantly shorten transit time. Exact transit time depends on destination, chosen route, and availability of direct connections.

What do I need to request an air freight quote?

To receive an accurate quote, your forwarder needs the following information: gross weight, dimensions per package, number of packages, destination (airport or city), cargo description with HS code, desired transit time or latest delivery date, and any special requirements such as temperature control or dangerous goods. The more complete the data, the sharper and more reliable the quote you receive.