Air Freight Provisioning – a practical insight

Yacht provisioning goes far beyond simply delivering goods to a dock. When you’re cruising destinations outside of Europe, like the Maldives, the Caribbean, the Red Sea, the UAE, or the Seychelles, getting quality provisions delivered by air freight from Europe can be a game-changer. However, the process is more complex than placing a local order. Whether it’s fresh produce, dry stores, flowers, or specialty items, there are key factors to consider to ensure that your goods arrive in prime condition.

Green Chilli has been shipping goods to all the yachting destinations around the globe. We understand the process, and we respect the local regulations to make sure all our shipments get to the destination in the best conditions possible.

Here’s a guide to help you understand the challenges and solutions involved in air freight provisioning for yachts:

1. Can Goods Be Shipped to Your Location?

Not all countries allow every type of product to be imported. For example, the USA has strict restrictions on flying in perishable goods. There are different rules for every island in the Caribbean, yet another set of rules for the Maldives, and so on. When you plan your order, always check with your provisioner to ensure that your desired products can be legally shipped to your destination.

2. Flight Frequency & Timing

How often do flights go to your destination? If flights are infrequent or arrive late in the day, your goods might not clear customs until the next business day. In such cases, it’s essential to know if refrigerated storage facilities are available locally to keep your provisions fresh.

3. Transit Time

How many days will the goods be in transit? This will affect the freshness of your order, especially for perishable items. Work closely with your provisioner to time the shipment so that the goods arrive as fresh as possible.

4. Last-Mile Delivery: Logistics Beyond the Airport

Consider how your provisions will get from the airport to the yacht. Will they need to be transferred by tender, helicopter, or small plane? The type of transport at the final leg of the journey influences packaging choices, and your provisioner must be aware to ensure that everything is appropriately packed.

5. Shipping Costs & Volume Efficiency

Air freight charges are based on weight and volume. Ordering heavy items, like bottled water in bulk, might be impractical due to high shipping costs unless such products are unavailable locally or specifically requested by guests. Provisions with high volume or weight will significantly impact your shipping budget, so plan wisely.

6. Proper Packaging: Keeping Your Goods Fresh

When shipping perishable items, ice packs and dry ice are essential to maintaining cold temperatures. However, products must be packed correctly to avoid freezing damage. Experienced provisioners like Green Chilli understand the nuances of packing various goods to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, even after long flights.

7. Lead Time: Plan Ahead

Processing international shipments requires more time than local deliveries. Between processing and handling the order, ensuring proper packaging, and dealing with administrative requirements, a lot of behind-the-scenes work happens. Give your provisioner ample lead time to prepare when air freight is involved.

8. Export Paperwork

International air freight requires extensive documentation. From import permits to health certificates for meat, dairy, or plant products, each destination has its own set of requirements. These documents are usually only processed on weekdays, so factor in a few extra days if permits or health certificates are required. At Green Chilli, we handle all the necessary export paperwork through our dedicated export department, ensuring a smooth process.

9. Prohibited Items

Some destinations have strict regulations on certain products. For example, you cannot send tomatoes, mangoes, or raw lobsters to Tahiti. Before ordering, check with your provisioner to avoid any prohibited items that could cause delays or confiscation at customs.

10. Handling Hazardous Goods

Aerosols, spray cans, and certain cleaning products considered hazardous by airlines cannot be shipped with regular provisions. These items need to be sent separately under a different Airway Bill, often resulting in higher costs. Evaluate whether it’s worth shipping these items or sourcing them locally instead.

11. Customs Clearance & Local Delivery

Once your goods arrive at the destination airport, they need to clear customs. Typically, your local agent will handle this and arrange transportation to the yacht. At Green Chilli, we work directly with these agents to ensure smooth customs clearance and can even organize delivery right to your vessel if needed.

12. Communication with Your Agent

To avoid delays, we maintain direct communication with your local agent. We ensure that they have all the necessary paperwork and details to clear and deliver the provisions as quickly as possible. Close coordination between provisioner, freight agents, and local agents is key to timely deliveries.

13. Cut-Off Dates for Last-Minute Changes

Once your order is in motion, adding last-minute items can disrupt the export paperwork and delay the process. Be sure to ask for a cut-off date for any add-ons to avoid any issues.

14. Eco-Friendly Packaging

At Green Chilli, we strive to be environmentally conscious by avoiding polystyrene boxes wherever possible. Instead, we use sustainable packaging options to ensure that your provisions arrive in excellent condition while minimizing environmental impact.

15. Timing of Shipment to Freight Agent

Goods are typically delivered to the freight agent the day before the flight departs to ensure there’s enough time for proper processing and handling. This ensures everything is set for the flight, so be aware that last minute changes can be very complicated

Conclusion: Planning Is Key to Successful Provisioning

While provisioning via air freight can seem complex, partnering with an experienced yacht provisioner like Green Chilli ensures that every detail is handled professionally, from packing and paperwork to logistics and final delivery. Whether you’re cruising in the Med or a remote paradise, we’re here to make sure you have everything you need, wherever you are.

If you need more information or want to discuss your upcoming provisioning needs, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to assist in making your journey as smooth and well-provisioned as possible.

Words from our good friend Gabi Gruber @ Green Chilli Provisioning