Mexico
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Mexico City
Mexico City's international air cargo has largely moved to Felipe Angeles Airport (NLU).
Services in Mexico City
- Air freight in Mexico CityAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in Mexico CityFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in Mexico CityImport 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 Mexico City
- AirportFelipe Angeles
NLU - AirportBenito Juarez
MEX - SeaportVeracruz and Manzanillo
Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) at Santa Lucía, north of the capital in the State of Mexico, is now the main airport for dedicated freighter flights serving Mexico City, after all-cargo operations were moved away from the city airport. Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) still handles cargo carried in the bellies of passenger aircraft, which matters for urgent consignments on passenger routes. For sea freight, the Valley of Mexico is served by the Gulf port of Veracruz and the Pacific port of Manzanillo, both reached by road and rail. Choosing between NLU, MEX and the two seaports depends on the origin lane, the cargo type and the delivery address within the metropolitan area.
Toll highways radiate from the capital: the Mexico–Querétaro highway towards the Bajío and the US border, the Mexico–Puebla–Veracruz highway to the Gulf, and the Mexico–Pachuca road past NLU. The Circuito Exterior Mexiquense and the Arco Norte let trucks bypass the city centre. Freight rail lines run by Ferromex and CPKC link the Valley of Mexico with Veracruz, Manzanillo and the northern border. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Mexico City and the surrounding State of Mexico, including the Toluca area.
Industries in Mexico City and how we support them
The metropolitan area is Mexico's largest consumer market, so imports of consumer goods, electronics, retail stock and spare parts dominate. Many pharmaceutical and medical-device companies have plants, laboratories and distribution centres in the capital and the State of Mexico, where products fall under COFEPRIS health regulation. Services, telecoms and data infrastructure add demand for IT hardware. Ziem Logistics moves this cargo by air freight on our own air waybills, with Next Flight Out for urgent parts and On-Board Courier for hand-carried items. Customs clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures, and sea freight via Veracruz or Manzanillo is handled in the same shipment file.
Operational logistics facts for Mexico City
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) | Freighter cargo, general and consolidated air freight | Main all-cargo airport for the capital, outside the congested city centre |
| Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) | Belly cargo on passenger flights, urgent small shipments | Extra flight options for time-critical consignments |
| Port of Veracruz | FCL and LCL to and from Europe and the US Gulf | Gulf port with direct highway and rail access to the capital |
| Pharma and medical-device sites in the metropolitan area | Regulated healthcare imports under COFEPRIS rules | Permits checked during tariff classification, before the goods ship |
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
Which airport do you use for air freight to Mexico City, NLU or MEX?
Most freighter capacity now operates at Felipe Ángeles (NLU), so general and heavier cargo usually lands there. For small urgent consignments, belly space on passenger flights into Benito Juárez (MEX) can be the better option. We choose the airport per booking and confirm cut-off and arrival details when we quote.
Do you issue your own air waybills for Mexico City shipments?
Yes. Ziem Logistics has direct airline access and issues its own air waybills for shipments to and from Mexico City. You book with us, and we handle the airline booking, the documents and the hand-over at the cargo terminal.
Can an On-Board Courier deliver a part directly to a plant in the State of Mexico?
Yes. An On-Board Courier carries the part as hand luggage on a passenger flight, clears it on arrival with the support of the partner team and delivers it to the consignee's door, for example to a production site in the Toluca area or north of the city.
Who clears imports arriving at NLU, MEX or Veracruz?
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.
What does a Mexico City importer need before the first shipment?
The importer needs an RFC tax ID and registration in the Padrón de Importadores. Some goods, such as medicines and medical devices, also need COFEPRIS permits, and certain sectors require registration in sector-specific import lists. Clearance depends on complete and consistent documents.
Do pharma imports into Mexico City need special handling at customs?
Yes. Medicines, active ingredients and medical devices are regulated by COFEPRIS, and the import permit or registration must match the goods and the documents exactly. We review this during tariff classification, and temperature-controlled shipments are planned with the airline before they leave origin.