Indonesia
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Medan
Medan is the hub of North Sumatra's plantation economy.
Services in Medan
- Air freight in MedanAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in MedanFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in MedanImport 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 Medan
- AirportKualanamu
KNO - SeaportBelawan
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO), in Deli Serdang east of Medan, is the main airport of North Sumatra and has international and domestic flights. For long-haul air freight, shipments often connect via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta or via regional hubs such as Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Sea freight runs through Belawan, the main port of North Sumatra, while Kuala Tanjung on the Batu Bara coast is being developed as a deep-sea port for the region.
The Medan-Kualanamu-Tebing Tinggi toll road connects Medan with the airport and the plantation areas to the south-east, and the Belawan-Medan-Tanjung Morawa toll road links the port with the city. An airport rail link connects central Medan with Kualanamu. The Sei Mangkei special economic zone lies inland to the south-east. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Medan and North Sumatra.
Industries in Medan and how we support them
Medan is the hub of North Sumatra's plantation economy, with palm oil, rubber, coffee and cocoa production and processing in the surrounding regencies. The Sei Mangkei special economic zone focuses on palm oil and rubber downstream industries. Medan also has food processing and general manufacturing. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with FCL sea freight via Belawan, air freight via KNO on our own air waybills, Next Flight Out for urgent mill and plant spare parts and On-Board Couriers 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 Medan
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) | International and domestic air freight | Main airport of North Sumatra with rail and toll road access |
| Port of Belawan | FCL and LCL, palm oil products, rubber | Main container port of North Sumatra |
| Sei Mangkei special economic zone | Palm oil and rubber downstream industry | Zone facilities for qualified companies |
| North Sumatra plantations | Palm oil, rubber, coffee, cocoa | Urgent spare parts by air, commodity exports by sea |
Customs clearance in Indonesia
Ziem network
Customs clearance in Indonesia 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 Indonesia we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Indonesia need a business identification number (NIB) that also serves as the importer ID.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fly cargo from Medan directly?
Yes, KNO has international flights to regional hubs, and other lanes connect via CGK. We compare the options and fly on our own air waybill, with routing and cut-off times confirmed with every booking.
Can you send coffee samples from North Sumatra by air?
Yes. Coffee samples can be sent as air freight via KNO, provided the destination's import rules are met, for example phytosanitary requirements. We check the requirements before booking.
Does haze affect air freight in Medan?
Haze from fires, mainly from August to October, can reduce visibility and occasionally disrupt flights. We plan with buffers in this period and inform you early if a shipment is affected.
Can customs be cleared in Medan for goods arriving at Belawan or KNO?
Yes. A partner team in the Ziem network clears the goods with Bea Cukai at Belawan or Kualanamu, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures. After release, we deliver to your site.
What do palm oil exports from Medan need?
Palm oil exports are subject to export levies and duties, and buyers often require sustainability certificates. The exporter must meet the government's export regulations. We check the requirements and prepare the export file with our partner team.
Can you clear imports of machinery for plantations or mills?
Yes. Machinery is declared like other imports, and some investment projects benefit from duty facilities that need supporting documents. We review the case with you and our partner team prepares the declaration.