Mexico
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Guadalajara
Guadalajara is known as Mexico's Silicon Valley, with many electronics manufacturers.
Services in Guadalajara
- Air freight in GuadalajaraAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in GuadalajaraFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in GuadalajaraImport 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 Guadalajara
- AirportGuadalajara International
GDL - SeaportManzanillo
Guadalajara International Airport (GDL), officially Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, is located south of the city between Tlajomulco and El Salto, close to the industrial corridor where most electronics plants are based. It is one of Mexico's main airports for international cargo and handles many high-value electronics shipments in small consignments. For sea freight, Guadalajara relies on the Pacific port of Manzanillo in the neighbouring state of Colima, Mexico's largest container port and the main entry point for goods from Asia. Shipments can therefore be planned by air via GDL and by sea via Manzanillo from the same catchment.
The Guadalajara–Colima toll highway runs south-west to Manzanillo, and the Ferromex rail line connects the port with Guadalajara. Toll highways lead east to the Bajío and Mexico City via Morelia, north-east towards Aguascalientes and north-west to Tepic and the Pacific coast. The Periférico ring road links the El Salto, Tlajomulco and Zapopan industrial areas with the airport. We arrange pick-up and delivery across the Guadalajara metropolitan area and the state of Jalisco.
Industries in Guadalajara and how we support them
Guadalajara is often called Mexico's Silicon Valley: contract electronics manufacturers, semiconductor design centres and software firms are concentrated in Zapopan, Tlaquepaque and El Salto. Jalisco is also a major producer of food and agricultural products, including berries, avocados and tequila. Electronics plants import components and test equipment, often urgently, and export finished modules. Ziem Logistics supports them with air freight on our own air waybills via GDL, Next Flight Out for production-critical parts and On-Board Courier for hand-carried prototypes or chips. Customs clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures, and FCL or LCL via Manzanillo runs in the same shipment file.
Operational logistics facts for Guadalajara
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) | Electronics, semiconductors, high-value small consignments | Airport located beside the El Salto industrial corridor |
| Port of Manzanillo | FCL and LCL to and from Asia | Mexico's largest container port, linked to Guadalajara by highway and rail |
| Zapopan and El Salto electronics cluster | Contract manufacturing, design centres, IT | Urgent component supply by Next Flight Out or On-Board Courier |
Customs clearance in Mexico
Ziem network
Customs clearance in Mexico 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 Mexico we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Mexico need an RFC tax ID and registration in the Padrón de Importadores.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get electronic components from Asia to a Guadalajara plant quickly?
Yes. We book air freight to GDL on our own air waybills, usually via a connecting hub, and use Next Flight Out when a production line depends on the parts. For the most critical items an On-Board Courier carries the goods by hand to the plant.
Do you handle electrostatic-sensitive or high-value shipments to GDL?
Yes. We plan packaging, airline acceptance and security handling for high-value and sensitive electronics with the shipper before departure. Delivery from the GDL cargo terminal to the plant is arranged with trusted road partners.
Can exports from Jalisco be flown on your own air waybills?
Yes. Ziem Logistics has direct airline access and issues its own air waybills for exports from Guadalajara, for example finished electronics or food products, with the export documents prepared in the same file.
Who handles customs for imports arriving at GDL or Manzanillo?
Clearance with the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) 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 pedimento is filed on that basis, and you deal only with Ziem Logistics.
Can electronics plants in Jalisco import under IMMEX or sector programmes?
Yes, if the company holds an IMMEX authorisation or a sector promotion programme (PROSEC), components can be imported under those terms. The pedimento must match the programme and product data. We check this during tariff classification, before the goods ship.
What should be on the invoice for electronics imports into Guadalajara?
Mexican customs expects a detailed commercial invoice with exact product descriptions, part numbers, quantities, values and country of origin. Vague descriptions lead to queries. We review the documents and the tariff classification with you before departure, because clearance depends on complete documents.