Schiphol FAQ for Logistic Service Providers:

There is a wide variety of premises available on and around Schiphol Airport, to suit operations from the smallest to the largest. Many of the larger, new facilities are being constructed with direct access to the apron, in line with efforts to streamline the processing of cargo. Currently, adjacent to the airport cargo area, the third dedicated logistics area (Schiphol Trade Park) is starting development. For more information, you can contact Schiphol Real Estate (Telephone: +31 20 601 2888; E-mail: realestate@schiphol.nl).

For all property on and around the airport, please see the current list, or contact Schiphol Real Estate on +31 20 601 2888 or at realestate@schiphol.nl.

Schiphol has plentiful development land for new logistics buildings. Please contact Schiphol Real Estate on +31 20 601 2888 or at realestate@schiphol.nl. Or contact Schiphol Area Development Company on [+31 20 666 40](tel://+31 20 666 40) or at info@sadc.nl.

Schiphol is currently served by 99 scheduled airlines, operating to 323 destinations in 98 countries. In addition, 27 scheduled freighter operators use the airport.

27 scheduled freighter operators serve 20 main destinations: Shanghai, Nairobi, Hong Kong, Moscow, Singapore, Dubai, Chicago, Doha, Miami, Tokyo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou, Quito, Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, Jeddah, Taipei, Houston and New York.

Schiphol handles every commodity that flies, and has all the facilities required to handle even the most specialised of cargo. Most growth is currently seen in pharmaceuticals (particularly from India), fruit and flowers.

We are not aware of a free source of such information, but a number of organizations such as EVO (Dutch Shippers’ Council), KvK(Chamber of Commerce) and FENEDEX provide some information to members. You can also purchase data from various sources, such as Kompass and ABC Business Directories.

Air Cargo Netherlands publishes a list of its members. You can also get lists of logistics companies from the Schiphol Group website (search for 'air cargo handlers, shipping agencies' in the dropdown menu for the second box).

For an overview of Customs processes, visit Belastingdienst

Schiphol Cargo can provide advice and useful contacts for any logistics company or airline considering starting operations at Schiphol. Email us at cargo@schiphol.nl or call us on +31 20 601 4530.

Cargonaut is the operator of Schiphol's Cargo Community Information Platform; besides connectivity to the community including freight agents, handlers, airlines and Customs it also provides smart solutions for faster, better and predictable cargo processes for the benefit of the community. For more information please find the website of Cargonaut.

In response to October 2010 incidents that revealed the risk of explosive devices being introduced into the supply chain, the EU Commission reviewed its aviation security legislation and, in August 2011, new regulations were adopted for the security of air cargo and mail entering the EU. The new regulations placed the onus on air carriers, requiring them to ensure that certain standards for security were met prior to the loading of an EU-bound aircraft, and to be designated as an 'Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport' (ACC3).

To obtain ACC3 status, the air carrier must deliver a 'Declaration of Commitments', based on the template set out in the EU Regulations; this must cover every non-EU airport from which cargo or mail is flown to the EU, except those on a 'Green' listed country. (The Green list is available to air carriers on request to their EU member state of reference). ACC3s must ensure that cargo and mail destined for the EU is screened, or comes from a secure supply chain (this can be evidenced with a Consignment Security Declaration). From 1 July 2014, the EU regulations stipulate that ACC3's must possess security verifications of their cargo and mail operations at the relevant non-EU airports, and that the verification process must be undertaken by an independent validator, certified by an EU regulator. If the ACC3 wishes to have the security controls applied by a business partner (such as Known Consignors, Regulated Agents or Ground Handlers) at non-EU airports, these entities must also undergo independent validation. Details of ACC3 validators can be found on the internet. IATA provides training for ACC3 accreditors.

An AEO is an Authorised Economic Operator, who is deemed reliable in customs-related operations, and is therefore entitled to enjoy benefits throughout the EU. AEO status can be granted to any economic operator meeting set criteria on record of Customs compliance, satisfactory system of managing records, proven financial solvency and, where appropriate, security and safety standards.

The AEO status is granted in the form of a certificate. AEO status granted by one member state is recognised by customs authorities in all others.

Benefits of AEO status include easier admittance to customs simplifications, reduced data requirements for entry and exit declarations, fewer physical and document-based controls, priority treatment of consignments where selected for control, recognition as a secure and safe business partner, improved relations with Customs and acknowledgement by other government authorities.

For more information, visit the website of the European Commission

Schiphol works closely with Air Cargo Netherlands, Dutch Customs, carriers, handlers and forwarders/3PLs to streamline all ground processes in order to speed the transit of all air cargo through the airport. Recent and current initiatives include Smart Gate Cargo, E-link and the remote cargo scanning pilot. Schiphol has made available premises with direct airside access, to 3PLs. The airport also has a number of specialist temperature-controlled facilities linked to the ramp, one of which recently installed the world's largest vacuum cooler for rapid bulk conditioning of perishables.

In addition, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has significantly reduced lead times for import controls on certain fruit and vegetables, by trimming the sampling period to a maximum of 48 hours.

For a brief explanation about the Life Sciences & Health product at Schiphol, watch this animation.

E-Link is part of a wider initiative – Airlink – whose aim is to make all processes in the airfreight supply chain more transparent, more effective, and more cost efficient. There is an article on this collaboration between public and private sectors article on this collaboration between public and private sectors (see page 26 onwards). The E-Link project is being coordinated and driven by Air Cargo Netherlands in close collaboration with Schiphol Cargo, Dutch Customs, freight forwarders, handling agents and airfreight hauliers at Schiphol. E-Link is based around a smart card which gives trucks access to the secure cargo areas, allocates cargo terminal doors for unloading, and enables the paperless transfer of all shipment data to the cargo handler. At the moment 30% of all Schiphol air cargo exports are handled through E-Link.

More information is available on the ACN-website. For information on joining the scheme and obtaining cards, contact Air Cargo Netherlands at info@acn.nl or call +31 20 3163940, or Cargonaut at helpdesk@cargonaut.nl or call +31 20 6530808.