India
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Bengaluru
Bengaluru is India's technology and aerospace hub, with a large perishables and pharma terminal at BLR.
Services in Bengaluru
- Air freight in BengaluruAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in BengaluruFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in BengaluruImport 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 Bengaluru
- AirportKempegowda International
BLR - SeaportChennai
Bengaluru's air cargo moves through Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) at Devanahalli, north of the city, which has a significant export volume of electronics, engineering parts and perishables, and dedicated facilities for pharma and temperature-controlled cargo. Bengaluru is an inland city, so sea freight is routed via the Port of Chennai and the nearby Kamarajar (Ennore) and Kattupalli terminals on the east coast, or via New Mangalore Port on the west coast. Containers can also be handled at the inland container depot in Whitefield, connected to Chennai by rail.
NH44 runs north from Bengaluru towards Hyderabad and south towards Madurai, while NH48 connects the city with Chennai and its ports, and NH75 leads west to Mangaluru. The road between the city and BLR is the main artery for air cargo. Rail container services link the Whitefield inland container depot with the Chennai port terminals.
Industries in Bengaluru and how we support them
Bengaluru brings together electronics and semiconductor design, aerospace and defence manufacturing, biotech firms in Electronic City and around the city, and automotive production at Bidadi west of the city and in Hosur across the Tamil Nadu border. Typical flows are high-value electronic components, prototypes, aircraft parts and biological samples. Ziem Logistics supports these companies with air freight from BLR under our own air waybills, On-Board Courier for prototypes and AOG parts, Next Flight Out for urgent components, sea freight via Chennai and customs clearance including tariff classification by our partner team in the Ziem network.
Operational logistics facts for Bengaluru
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) cargo terminals | Electronics, aerospace parts, perishables, pharma | Direct airport access for the city's technology and aerospace companies |
| Electronic City and Whitefield | IT hardware, semiconductors, biotech | Pick-up arranged at technology parks across the city |
| Port of Chennai, Kamarajar and Kattupalli | FCL/LCL for Karnataka shippers | East-coast sea freight combined with customs in one shipment file |
| Whitefield inland container depot | Rail-linked container handling | Containers can be cleared inland near Bengaluru |
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
Can you send aircraft parts from Bengaluru as AOG shipments?
Yes. For aircraft on ground situations we use Next Flight Out from BLR or an On-Board Courier, depending on size, destination and dangerous goods status. We check the documentation, including any airworthiness paperwork the consignee requires, before the part leaves Bengaluru.
How are biological samples and pharma from Bengaluru shipped by air?
We agree the temperature range, packaging and documents with you, book capacity on suitable flights from BLR and use the airport's temperature-controlled facilities. Shipments that contain dangerous goods, such as dry ice, are declared and packed to IATA rules.
Do you pick up prototypes from companies in Electronic City or Whitefield?
Yes. We arrange pick-up across Bengaluru, including Electronic City, Whitefield and the airport area, and route prototypes via air freight under our own air waybills or by On-Board Courier where the shipment is very urgent or sensitive.
Are electronic components imported into Bengaluru subject to special approvals?
Many electronic products require BIS registration before they can be sold in India, and some items need further licences. We review the tariff classification and product details with you in advance, so the bill of entry filed via ICEGATE reflects the correct code and supporting documents.
Can air imports be cleared directly at Bengaluru airport?
Yes. Air imports are cleared at the BLR cargo terminal by a partner team in the Ziem network, working under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures. Clearance depends on complete documents, including the IEC of the importer and any product-specific approvals.
Where are sea imports for Bengaluru cleared, at Chennai or inland?
Both are possible. Containers can be cleared at Chennai port and trucked to Bengaluru, or moved under bond by rail to the Whitefield inland container depot and cleared there. We recommend the option that suits your delivery location and documents.