Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is one of Europe’s most important air cargo hubs. It is a major gateway for air freight moving between the Netherlands, Western Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and other global markets.
The airport is located in Haarlemmermeer, near Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its IATA code is AMS and its ICAO code is EHAM.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is often used for:
- Express cargo
- eCommerce parcels
- Pharma cargo
- Medical equipment
- Perishables
- Flowers
- High-tech goods
- Electronics
- Semiconductors
- High-value goods
- Machinery parts
- Aerospace parts
- Retail goods
- Documents and samples
- Time-sensitive commercial shipments
Airport Overview
| Airport Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Amsterdam Schiphol Airport |
| City | Amsterdam |
| Country | Netherlands |
| IATA code | AMS |
| ICAO code | EHAM |
| Airport type | International airport and major European air cargo hub |
| Main cargo area | Schiphol Cargo and airport logistics facilities |
| Main cargo facilities | Schiphol cargo terminals, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo Schiphol Hub, pharma, perishables, eCommerce, and high-value cargo facilities |
| Main cargo role | Netherlands cargo gateway, European air logistics hub, pharma gateway, perishables hub, and intercontinental air freight platform |
| Airport operator | Royal Schiphol Group |
| Best for | Express cargo, eCommerce, pharma cargo, medical equipment, flowers, perishables, electronics, high-tech goods, high-value cargo, and urgent shipments |
Why Ship Air Cargo Through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport?
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is useful when cargo needs fast access to the Netherlands, Benelux markets, Western Europe, and global air routes.
It gives shippers access to:
- One of Europe’s leading air cargo gateways
- Schiphol Cargo and airport logistics facilities
- Air France KLM Martinair Cargo’s Schiphol Hub
- Pharma Gateway Amsterdam and healthcare logistics networks
- Perishables and flower logistics linked to the Dutch flower trade
- eCommerce and high-tech cargo handling
- High-value cargo, temperature-controlled, and specialist handling facilities
- Road links to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Aalsmeer, and European distribution centers
Many companies use AMS when ocean freight is too slow or when cargo is urgent, valuable, lightweight, temperature-sensitive, or moving through Europe as part of a regional distribution network.
Main Cargo Handled at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Express cargo | Parcels, documents, urgent small shipments |
| eCommerce cargo | Marketplace parcels, DTC orders, fulfillment stock |
| Pharma cargo | Medicines, diagnostics, vaccines, healthcare products where permitted |
| Medical equipment | Medical devices, diagnostics, healthcare equipment, laboratory products |
| Perishables | Food products, chilled goods, frozen cargo, fresh produce |
| Flowers | Cut flowers, plants, floriculture products where permitted |
| Electronics | Computer parts, mobile devices, chips, accessories, consumer electronics |
| High-tech goods | Semiconductors, precision equipment, medical technology, sensitive components |
| High-value goods | Secure cargo, premium products, valuable shipments where accepted |
| Machinery parts | Industrial parts, tools, production components, replacement parts |
| Aerospace parts | Aircraft parts, maintenance parts, tools, components |
| General air freight | Cartons, pallets, packaged goods, commercial cargo |
Air Freight Services Through Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport supports several air freight options:
- Express air freight for urgent parcels
- Standard air freight for commercial shipments
- Consolidated air freight for smaller cargo
- Direct air freight for urgent or high-value goods
- Temperature-controlled air freight for pharma and perishables
- High-value cargo handling where accepted
- Dangerous goods air freight where accepted by the airline and authorities
- Airport-to-airport shipping
- Door-to-door air freight
For urgent shipments, air freight is often faster than ocean freight. For heavier or less urgent cargo, ocean freight may be more cost-effective.
Shipping to the Netherlands by Air
Importers use Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for fast delivery into Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Benelux markets, and wider European logistics networks.
Common air imports include:
- eCommerce parcels
- Electronics
- High-tech goods
- Pharma and healthcare products where permitted
- Medical equipment
- Food products and perishables
- Flowers and floriculture products where permitted
- Machinery parts
- Aerospace parts
- Retail goods
- Documents and samples
- High-value goods where accepted
- General commercial cargo
Amsterdam Schiphol is useful for cargo moving to:
- Amsterdam
- Schiphol
- Aalsmeer
- Rotterdam
- The Hague
- Utrecht
- Eindhoven
- Dutch logistics parks
- Benelux warehouses
- European distribution centers
- Pharma and healthcare logistics facilities
- Flower and perishables distribution networks
When shipping to the Netherlands or the EU, compare the full landed cost. This may include air freight, fuel surcharges, security fees, terminal handling, customs broker fees, storage, inspection fees, duties, VAT, local delivery, and insurance.
Use the iContainers air freight calculator to estimate shipping costs.
Shipping From the Netherlands by Air
Exporters use Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for fast shipments from the Netherlands and Western Europe to global markets.
Common air exports include:
- Express parcels
- eCommerce orders
- Pharma and healthcare products where permitted
- Medical equipment
- Flowers and plants where permitted
- Perishables and food products where permitted
- Electronics
- High-tech goods
- Machinery parts
- Aerospace parts
- Retail goods
- Documents and samples
- High-value goods where accepted
- General commercial air freight
Amsterdam Schiphol is useful for exports that need fast delivery, strong global routing, temperature-controlled handling, or access to European logistics and distribution networks.
Express vs Standard Air Freight
| Option | Best For | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Express air freight | Parcels, documents, urgent eCommerce orders | Fastest delivery |
| Standard air freight | Commercial cargo and regular shipments | Balance of speed and cost |
| Consolidated air freight | Smaller shipments | Lower cost than direct air freight |
| Direct air freight | Urgent or high-value cargo | Faster routing |
| Temperature-controlled air freight | Pharma, healthcare cargo, perishables, chilled and frozen goods | Protects sensitive cargo |
| High-value air freight | Secure goods, premium electronics, valuables | Added security and specialist handling |
| Dangerous goods air freight | Batteries, chemicals, restricted cargo | Moves regulated goods when approved |
Use the iContainers transit time calculator to compare shipping times before booking.
Customs Clearance at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Air cargo through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport must follow Dutch and EU customs rules.
Shippers may need:
- Product description
- HS code
- Cargo value
- Country of origin
- Shipper and consignee details
- Importer or exporter details
- EORI number, when required
- Air waybill
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Customs declaration
- Import or export license, when required
- Product certificates where required
Some goods are controlled, restricted, or need extra approval. These may include medicines, food products, plants, animals, chemicals, batteries, electronics, medical devices, cosmetics, dual-use goods, and products subject to EU safety, health, or conformity requirements.
For general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to air freight customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Air Freight Through Amsterdam Schiphol
Most air freight shipments need:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Air waybill
- House air waybill, when using a freight forwarder
- Cargo manifest
- HS code
- Customs declaration
- EORI number, when required
- Importer details, when importing into the Netherlands or the EU
- Exporter details, when exporting from the Netherlands or the EU
- Certificate of origin, when required
- Preferential origin documents, when applicable
- Import or export license, when applicable
- Insurance certificate, when applicable
- Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
- Safety data sheet, when applicable
- Lithium battery documents, when applicable
- Temperature-control instructions, when applicable
- Food, health, plant, veterinary, or inspection certificates, when applicable
Incomplete or incorrect documents can delay customs clearance and cargo release.
Common Air Freight Routes From Amsterdam Schiphol
| Route | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| Amsterdam to North America | Pharma cargo, medical equipment, electronics, eCommerce cargo, high-value goods |
| Amsterdam to Asia | Electronics, high-tech goods, machinery parts, pharma cargo, retail goods |
| Amsterdam to the Middle East | Retail goods, electronics, documents, machinery parts, eCommerce cargo |
| Amsterdam to Africa | Pharma cargo, perishables, machinery parts, retail goods, documents |
| Amsterdam to Latin America | Pharma cargo, flowers, perishables, machinery parts, high-value goods |
| Amsterdam to Europe | Express cargo, eCommerce parcels, healthcare products, retail goods |
| Amsterdam to Benelux distribution centers | Commercial cargo, eCommerce stock, spare parts, high-value cargo |
| Amsterdam to global flower markets | Cut flowers, plants, perishables, floriculture products where permitted |
Cargo may move by freighter aircraft, passenger belly cargo, express network, truck-air service, or European road feeder service.
When Should You Use Amsterdam Schiphol Instead of Ocean Freight?
Use air freight through Amsterdam Schiphol when:
- The shipment is urgent
- The cargo is high-value
- The shipment is small or lightweight
- The goods are time-sensitive
- You are shipping samples or documents
- eCommerce orders need fast delivery
- Pharma or healthcare cargo needs controlled handling
- Perishables or flowers need fast transit
- Electronics or high-tech goods need secure movement
- The cargo is moving through Europe as part of a distribution network
- Ocean freight transit time is too long
Use ocean freight when cargo is heavy, bulky, low-margin, or not urgent.
FAQ About Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is located in Haarlemmermeer, near Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The IATA code is AMS.
Yes. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is one of Europe’s major air cargo hubs and an important gateway for cargo moving to and from the Netherlands, Western Europe, and global markets.
It is best for express cargo, eCommerce shipments, pharma cargo, medical equipment, perishables, flowers, electronics, high-tech goods, high-value cargo, and urgent shipments.
Yes. AMS is useful for pharma and healthcare logistics because Schiphol has specialist cargo networks and facilities for temperature-sensitive medicines and medical equipment.
Yes. Schiphol is strongly connected to the Dutch flower trade and supports fast movement of flowers, plants, chilled cargo, frozen goods, and other perishables where permitted.
Yes. AMS is useful for eCommerce because it has strong express parcel, high-tech, customs, and European distribution connections.
Reference Links
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport - Official Website
- Schiphol Cargo - Official Cargo Overview
- Schiphol Cargo - Pharma
- Schiphol Cargo - E-commerce
- Schiphol Cargo - Cargo Services
- Royal Schiphol Group
- Air France KLM Martinair Cargo - Schiphol Hub
- Business.gov.nl - Import Documents
- Business.gov.nl - Importing Products into the Netherlands Checklist
- IATA - Airport Code Search