Mexico
Air freight, sea freight and customs in León
León is the centre of the Bajío region, known for leather goods and car parts.
Services in León
- Air freight in LeónAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in LeónFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in LeónImport 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 León
- AirportGuanajuato
BJXBajío - SeaportManzanillo
Del Bajío International Airport (BJX), officially Guanajuato International Airport, lies in Silao between León and Guanajuato city and serves the whole Bajío industrial region. Next to the airport is Guanajuato Puerto Interior, an inland logistics and industrial park with customs facilities, so air cargo and inland freight can be handled side by side. Larger air freight volumes are also routed via Querétaro or the Mexico City airports. Sea freight runs mainly through Manzanillo on the Pacific, connected to the Bajío by highway and rail.
Highway 45D runs through León, Silao, Irapuato, Salamanca and Celaya to Querétaro, linking the Bajío's industrial cities with each other and with Highway 57 to Mexico City and the US border. Toll roads lead west to Lagos de Moreno and Guadalajara and on to Manzanillo. Ferromex rail lines serve the region. We arrange pick-up and delivery across León and the Guanajuato corridor, including Silao and Guanajuato Puerto Interior.
Industries in León and how we support them
León is the centre of Mexico's leather and footwear industry, with tanneries, shoe factories and suppliers of hides, chemicals and machinery. The wider Guanajuato corridor hosts car plants, including General Motors in Silao, Mazda in Salamanca and Toyota in Apaseo el Grande, plus their suppliers. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight on our own air waybills, Next Flight Out for line-down parts, On-Board Courier for critical items and FCL or LCL via Manzanillo. Customs clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures, including tariff classification of leather goods, chemicals and machinery.
Operational logistics facts for León
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Del Bajío International Airport (BJX) | Automotive parts, leather products, general cargo | Airport serving the whole Guanajuato industrial corridor |
| Guanajuato Puerto Interior, Silao | Inland logistics park with customs facilities | Industrial and logistics operations located next to the airport |
| Highway 45D Bajío corridor | Road freight between León, Celaya and Querétaro | Truck access to car plants across Guanajuato |
| León leather and footwear cluster | Hides, tanning chemicals, footwear machinery | Inputs and finished goods handled in one shipment file |
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
Do you use BJX for air freight to León?
Yes, where airline capacity fits. For lanes with limited service at BJX we route via Querétaro or the Mexico City airports and truck the cargo to León. We choose per shipment and confirm the routing with every booking.
Can you get urgent parts to car plants in Silao, Salamanca or Celaya?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out on the first suitable connection with customs data lodged in advance, or send an On-Board Courier who hand-carries the part to the plant. Delivery is arranged with trusted road partners.
Can footwear samples be flown out of León on your own air waybills?
Yes. Ziem Logistics issues its own air waybills for exports from the Bajío, including samples and small consignments of leather goods. We collect in León and prepare the export documents in the same file.
Who handles customs for imports into León and Guanajuato?
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.
Are there special rules for importing leather, footwear or textiles into Mexico?
Yes. Footwear, textiles and some leather goods are sensitive sectors in Mexico, and importers may need registration in sector-specific import lists and detailed product information. We check the requirements during tariff classification, before the goods ship.
Can goods be cleared at Guanajuato Puerto Interior instead of at the border?
Depending on the routing and the goods, inland clearance at the customs facilities in Guanajuato Puerto Interior can be an option. We assess this when the shipment is booked and plan the clearance point together with you.