India
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Mumbai
Mumbai combines India's busiest container port, Nhava Sheva, with a major air cargo gateway.
Services in Mumbai
- Air freight in MumbaiAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in MumbaiFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in MumbaiImport 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 Mumbai
- AirportChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
BOM - SeaportNhava ShevaJNPT
Air cargo for Mumbai moves through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), whose cargo complex at Sahar handles a large share of India's international air freight, including pharma and high-value consignments such as gems and jewellery. Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) on the mainland side of the harbour adds a second airport to the region. For sea freight, Mumbai is served by Jawaharlal Nehru Port at Nhava Sheva (JNPT), India's busiest container port, while the older Mumbai Port handles bulk and general cargo. Most FCL and LCL volumes for the city and the wider Maharashtra hinterland are routed via Nhava Sheva.
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu) connects the city with Nhava Sheva and Navi Mumbai across the harbour. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway leads to the Pune and Chakan industrial belt, NH48 runs north towards Gujarat, and the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway links Mumbai with Nagpur. Container trains connect JNPT with inland container depots across northern and central India, and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is designed to carry container trains between JNPT and the Delhi region.
Industries in Mumbai and how we support them
Mumbai is the headquarters city of many Indian pharmaceutical groups and a base for chemical producers along the Thane-Belapur belt and in Navi Mumbai. The SEEPZ special economic zone in Andheri and the Bharat Diamond Bourse in Bandra Kurla Complex make the city a centre for gems and jewellery trade, alongside textiles, consumer goods and engineering imports. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills from BOM, temperature-aware pharma routings, Next Flight Out for urgent spare parts, On-Board Courier for critical documents and samples, FCL/LCL via Nhava Sheva and customs clearance through our partner team in the Ziem network.
Operational logistics facts for Mumbai
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| BOM Air Cargo Complex, Sahar | Pharma, gems and jewellery, express and general air cargo | Direct long-haul and Gulf connections for air freight under our own air waybills |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Nhava Sheva (JNPT) | FCL/LCL for western and northern India | India's busiest container port, with rail links to inland container depots |
| SEEPZ SEZ and Bharat Diamond Bourse | Gems, jewellery and electronics | High-value cargo handled with secure air routings or On-Board Courier |
| Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu) | Road link between the city, Navi Mumbai and JNPT | Shorter trucking routes between Mumbai shippers and the port area |
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 issue your own air waybills for shipments out of Mumbai BOM?
Yes. For India, Ziem Logistics issues its own air waybills, so exports from BOM are booked directly with the airline under our file. We confirm the routing, airline and cut-off time with every booking and keep you informed until delivery.
How are pharma shipments from Mumbai handled during the monsoon?
Between June and September heavy rain can slow ground handling and trucking to BOM. For temperature-sensitive pharma we plan pick-up with buffer, use suitable packaging or active containers where required and agree the temperature range and documents with you before the shipment is tendered to the airline.
Can you send an On-Board Courier for diamonds or samples from Mumbai?
Yes. For urgent, high-value or very small consignments we can arrange an On-Board Courier who carries the goods by hand from pick-up in Mumbai to the consignee. Whether OBC is suitable depends on the commodity, value and destination rules, which we check before booking.
Who clears our import shipments arriving at Nhava Sheva or BOM?
Customs clearance in India is carried out by a partner team in the Ziem network, working under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures. Sea imports are cleared at the Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House for JNPT, and air imports at the BOM air cargo complex. You deal only with Ziem Logistics.
What do we need as an importer for clearance in Mumbai?
The importer needs an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) and complete documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill and any product-specific licences. The bill of entry is filed electronically via ICEGATE, and release depends on complete documents and any checks requested by customs.
Can the bill of entry be filed before the vessel or flight arrives?
Yes. Indian customs law allows the bill of entry to be filed in advance of arrival. We use this wherever the documents are ready, so assessment and duty payment can start early and goods can move on from Nhava Sheva or BOM without avoidable waiting.