Air Freight of Science Exhibits to Uzbekistan

Project Scope & Timeline

• Shipment booked: 8 August 2025
• Goods collected: 11 August 2025
• Departure:
  – 14 August 2025, Heathrow to Baku
  – 16 August 2025, Baku to Tashkent
• Arrival at Tashkent airport: 16 August 2025
• Final delivery: 18 August 2025, collection by the consignee

Client Requirements

The client needed:

• Air freight from the UK to Uzbekistan, with delivery to Tashkent airport.
• Export paperwork support, including a Certificate of Origin.
• Smooth handling of oversized cargo, with one crate measuring 5.16 metres in length.
• Clear communication throughout the process, ensuring the consignee received all necessary customs documents in Uzbekistan.
• The client opted to use their own insurance cover rather than Barrington Freight’s partner options.

Challenges and Solutions

Key Challenges

Air freight is generally straightforward for standard-sized consignments, but the length of one of the three crates created limitations. Airlines place strict size restrictions on cargo, and a 5.16-metre item exceeds the capacity of many carriers’ standard freight aircraft. This meant that not all routes were possible, and the shipment required careful planning to avoid delays or excessive cost.

Another area requiring attention was the customs documentation. Uzbekistan has specific import procedures, and ensuring that all paperwork was correctly prepared was essential for the consignee to clear the goods without delay.

Barrington Freight’s Solutions

• Airline Selection: Careful consideration of the airline’s capability to handle the oversized crate. The routing chosen, via Baku, ensured capacity and timely onward movement to Tashkent.
• Documentation:
  – Adjustments made to the commercial documentation to ensure compliance.
  – A Certificate of Origin was processed on behalf of the client.
  – Original customs documents were sent to the consignee promptly, avoiding issues at the destination.
• Collection and Handling: Coordinated collection of all three crates from the UK premises on 11th August. Special arrangements ensured the oversized crate was loaded and transported without damage.

Outcome

The shipment arrived on time and in good condition. Despite the additional complexities introduced by the oversized crate, the freight moved smoothly through each stage of its journey. Customs clearance was completed without unnecessary delays, thanks to the thorough preparation of paperwork.

The client was able to collect the exhibits promptly from Tashkent airport and proceed with their planned public engagement activities.

Lessons and Benefits

• Planning for Oversized Cargo: Even a single non-standard item can restrict airline choices. Early identification of the right routing avoids problems later.
• Importance of Documentation: Clear, compliant paperwork reduces the risk of delays at destination airports.
• Value of Tailored Solutions: By adapting both the transport plan and the documentation support, Barrington Freight ensured the client’s specific needs were met without compromise.

Conclusion

This shipment demonstrated Barrington Freight’s ability to handle specialist consignments with unique requirements. The combination of oversized cargo, international routing, and documentation needs could have caused delays, but careful planning and attention to detail ensured a successful outcome.
The exhibits were delivered safely and on schedule, enabling the non-profit organisation to continue its mission of engaging the public with science.

Barrington Freight continues to support clients with bespoke logistics solutions, ensuring reliability and efficiency in every project. Get in touch today.