Despite being a small nation in northwestern Europe, the Netherlands is a significant entry point into Europe. Countless goods are transported to and from Europe via its biggest port – Rotterdam – every year. Moreover, the Netherlands is also a significant trading partner for Indonesia. The Port of Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport have been the key entrance points for Indonesian goods into the European Union. In 2022, Indonesia’s exports to the Netherlands were worth US$5.19 billion. Check available shipping methods from Indonesia to the Netherlands.
Indonesia-EU relations
Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. It has proven to be a profitable market. The country has made significant efforts to strengthen its import and export procedures as it strives to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2045.
The EU-Indonesia connection has also become stronger in recent years. Negotiations for an EU-Indonesia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were initiated on July 18, 2016. So far, eleven rounds have been held.
Shipping from Indonesia to the Netherlands – means of transportation
Sea freight from Indonesia to the Netherlands
Ocean freight is essential to Indonesia’s trading infrastructure, transporting approximately 90% of internationally traded goods. It is affordable and allows importers to be more flexible in terms of cargo size. However, it is vital to remember that it is also the slowest mode of transportation. The expected arrival time is determined by the number of ports visited by the ship on its route to the destination. For example, the route from Jakarta to Rotterdam in the Netherlands takes 39 days. As a result, it is the best option for delivering items with a long expiry date that does not require special handling.
There are two possibilities for ocean freight: Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL). FCL refers to using the entire capacity of the container and is recommended for cargo that takes up a lot of space, while LCL refers to the practice of sharing a container with other importers/exporters.
Indonesia is the world’s largest island country, and its economy is primarily reliant on international trade through its ports. Indonesia has around 2000 ports, the majority of which are handled centrally. Its busiest and most advanced seaport is Tanjung Priok in Jakarta. It carries more than half of Indonesia’s trans-shipment cargo traffic.
Main cargo ports in Indonesia:
- Port of Tanjung Priok
- Port of Tanjung Perak
- Port of Benoa
- Port of Makassar
As previously stated, the Netherlands’ ports serve as global entrances to European markets. Its principal ports are strategically located on the open sea and at the confluence of three important European rivers: the Rhine, the Maas, and the Scheldt. This location creates simple shipping options for enterprises operating in the Netherlands and throughout the European Union.
Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport, is located on the North Sea coast. The port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport, is vital to the country’s economic prosperity since it is located in the middle of Europe’s heavily industrialized and populated trade triangle, which includes the German Ruhr sector, Paris, and London. It is strategically located on one of the busiest marine commerce routes and serves as a distribution center for commodities bound for inland European countries.
Main cargo ports in the Netherlands:
- Port of Rotterdam
- Port of Breskens
- Port of Amsterdam
- Port of Den Helder
Airfreight from Indonesia to the Netherlands
Airfreight is unquestionably faster and safer than ocean freight. The travel time is short because the cargo aircraft flies directly to its destination, making it more expensive. Because cargo airplanes have limited space, many choose it when delivering high-value and smaller-sized goods. Thus importers must be more mindful of this when selecting air freight as a mode of transportation for their products. It is the perfect transportation method to ship time-sensitive goods.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the country’s primary international airport. It is located in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland, 9 kilometers southwest of Amsterdam. In terms of international passenger traffic, it will be the world’s third-busiest airport in 2021.
The longest air freight routes from Indonesia connect Jakarta’s airport with destinations in Western Europe. The transit time for cargo aircraft from Jakarta to Amsterdam is 14 hours.
Main cargo airports in Indonesia:
- Soekarno Hatta International Airport
- Ngurah Rai International Airport
- Surabaya Juanda Airport
Main airports in the Netherlands:
- Rotterdam The Hague Airport
- Eindhoven Airport
- Maastricht Aachen Airport
- Eelde Airport
Shipping from Indonesia to the Netherlands – freight rates
Freight rate is determined by various factors, including the shipping method. To find out how much shipping will cost, contact freight forwarders, who will provide prices based on the size and type of cargo. ShipHub.co is a fantastic website that allows you to quickly check freight prices for your cargo without making any phone calls.
