India
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad is the hub of Gujarat's pharma and chemical industry, close to Mundra port.
Services in Ahmedabad
- Air freight in AhmedabadAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in AhmedabadFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in AhmedabadImport 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 Ahmedabad
- AirportAhmedabad
AMD - SeaportMundra and Pipavav
Ahmedabad's air cargo moves through Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD), which offers international connections, particularly to the Gulf, and handles pharma and textile exports. Larger air volumes are also trucked to Mumbai (BOM). For sea freight, Gujarat's ports are within trucking and rail distance: Mundra and Kandla (Deendayal Port) on the Gulf of Kutch, Pipavav on the Saurashtra coast and Hazira near Surat. Inland container depots in the Ahmedabad area, such as Khodiyar, handle containers by rail.
The Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway and NH48 lead south towards Vadodara, Surat and Mumbai, while highways west through Saurashtra lead to the Kutch ports of Mundra and Kandla. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor passes through Gujarat and carries container trains between the ports and northern India. Industrial estates such as Vatva, Naroda and Sanand lie on the ring road and highway network around the city.
Industries in Ahmedabad and how we support them
Ahmedabad is home to several large Indian pharmaceutical companies and part of Gujarat's chemical belt, which extends from the Vatva and Naroda estates to Ankleshwar and Dahej. The city has a long textile tradition, including denim, and Sanand has become an automotive and electronics location. GIFT City in Gandhinagar adds financial services. Ziem Logistics supports these industries with pharma air freight under our own air waybills, dangerous goods handling for chemicals, FCL/LCL via Mundra and Pipavav, Next Flight Out for urgent parts and customs clearance by our partner team in the Ziem network.
Operational logistics facts for Ahmedabad
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) | Pharma, textiles, general cargo | Local air freight departures with Gulf connections |
| Mundra and Pipavav ports | FCL/LCL, chemicals, textiles | Large container ports within reach of Ahmedabad shippers |
| Vatva, Naroda and Sanand estates | Pharma, chemicals, automotive, electronics | Pick-up arranged directly at plants |
| Western Dedicated Freight Corridor | Rail container transport through Gujarat | Rail link between Gujarat ports and northern India |
Customs clearance in India
Ziem network
Customs clearance in India 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 India we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in India need an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC).
Frequently asked questions
Do you fly pharma from Ahmedabad airport or truck it to Mumbai?
Both are possible. AMD has international departures, mainly to the Gulf, which suit many routings. For destinations or volumes better served from BOM, we truck the shipment to Mumbai. We choose the option per shipment and agree temperature requirements in advance.
How do you protect pharma shipments from Ahmedabad in summer heat?
From April to June temperatures in Gujarat are very high. We plan collection and airport delivery to limit exposure, use suitable insulated or active packaging and agree the required temperature range and documentation before booking.
Can chemical samples from Ahmedabad be shipped as dangerous goods by air?
Yes, provided they are classified, packed, labelled and documented to IATA dangerous goods rules. We check the safety data sheet and the airline's acceptance before booking and arrange pick-up from your site.
Can imports for Ahmedabad be cleared at Mundra or at an inland depot?
Both options are available. Containers can be cleared at Mundra or Pipavav and trucked to you, or moved under bond to an inland container depot near Ahmedabad and cleared there. Clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network under the Ziem Logistics brand.
What is required to import chemicals into Gujarat?
The importer needs an IEC, and depending on the substance further requirements may apply, such as safety data sheets and specific licences. We review the product information and tariff classification in advance so the bill of entry filed via ICEGATE is complete.
Who files the shipping bill for pharma exports from Ahmedabad?
Our partner team in the Ziem network files the shipping bill electronically through ICEGATE, working to our procedures. We collect the invoice, packing list, exporter details and any drug export documents from you in advance.