Argentina
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Mendoza
Mendoza is Argentina's wine capital, with road links over the Andes to Chilean ports.
Services in Mendoza
- Air freight in MendozaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in MendozaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in MendozaImport and export clearance by our in-house customs teams in 8 countries and by partner teams in the Ziem network.
Airports, seaports and connections in Mendoza
- AirportMendoza
MDZ - AirportEzeiza
EZE - SeaportRoad to ChileValparaíso, San Antonio
Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport (MDZ), known as El Plumerillo, north of Mendoza city, serves the region with domestic and some international flights, including connections to Santiago de Chile. Long-haul air cargo is usually routed via Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, or across the Andes via Santiago's international airport. Mendoza has no seaport of its own: wine and food exports move by road over the Andes to the Chilean ports of Valparaíso and San Antonio, or east to Buenos Aires.
National Route 7 is Mendoza's main artery: it runs east to San Luis and Buenos Aires and west over the Andes through the Cristo Redentor pass, also known as Los Libertadores, to central Chile. Route 40 runs north to San Juan and south to San Rafael. Snow can close the Andes pass between June and September, so road freight to Chile needs flexible planning in winter. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Greater Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, Maipú and the Uco Valley.
Industries in Mendoza and how we support them
Mendoza is Argentina's main wine region, known above all for Malbec, with wineries in Luján de Cuyo, Maipú and the Uco Valley. Olive oil, dried fruit, fresh fruit and other food products are also exported, and the province has oil production and a refinery in Luján de Cuyo. Wineries import bottling equipment, barrels, closures and packaging materials. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with sea freight via Chilean ports or Buenos Aires, air freight on our own air waybills for samples and urgent parts, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for critical items. Customs clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Operational logistics facts for Mendoza
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Cristo Redentor pass (Route 7) | Road freight to central Chile | Access to Pacific ports for exports to Asia and the US West Coast |
| Valparaíso and San Antonio (Chile) | Container shipping for wine and food | Pacific seaport alternatives to Buenos Aires |
| Mendoza wine region (Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, Uco Valley) | Wine, olive oil, fruit | Exports and imported winery equipment handled in one shipment file |
Customs clearance in Argentina
Ziem network
Customs clearance in Argentina is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
For air freight to and from Argentina we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Argentina need a CUIT tax ID and registration as an importer with customs.
Frequently asked questions
How do you fly wine samples from Mendoza?
Wine samples usually travel as air freight via EZE or Santiago on our own air waybills. Alcoholic beverages have specific packaging, labelling and destination rules, so we check airline acceptance and import requirements in the destination country before booking.
Do you use MDZ or Ezeiza for urgent parts to Mendoza?
Most long-haul cargo arrives at EZE and continues by air or road to Mendoza; some lanes connect via Santiago de Chile. We choose per shipment and confirm the routing with every booking.
Can you get urgent bottling-line parts to a Mendoza winery?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out with customs data prepared in advance or send an On-Board Courier who hand-carries the part to the winery. Road delivery from the airport is arranged with trusted partners.
Who clears imports for companies in Mendoza?
Clearance with the General Directorate of Customs (DGA) within ARCA is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures. We prepare the shipment data, the declaration is filed in the SIM system on that basis, and you deal only with Ziem Logistics.
How are wine exports via Chile cleared?
Wine leaving Argentina by road is cleared for export in Argentina and then moves in transit through Chile to the port of loading. Export documents, transit documents and the certificates required by the destination must match. We prepare them together before the truck departs.
What documents do wine exports from Mendoza usually need?
Typical documents include the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and the analysis or quality certificates required by the destination market. Requirements vary by country, so we check them before the goods ship.