Mexico
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Monterrey
Monterrey is Mexico's main nearshoring hub, about three hours by road from the US border.
Services in Monterrey
- Air freight in MonterreyAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in MonterreyFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in MonterreyImport 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 Monterrey
- AirportMonterrey International
MTY - SeaportAltamira, and road to the US border at Laredo
Monterrey International Airport (MTY), officially General Mariano Escobedo International Airport, lies in Apodaca, north-east of the city and close to many of the industrial parks of Nuevo León. It is the main air cargo gateway for north-east Mexico. Because Monterrey sits close to the US border, a large part of its freight moves by truck through Nuevo Laredo and Laredo, Texas, one of the busiest land crossings between the two countries. For ocean freight, the Gulf port of Altamira in Tamaulipas is the closest container port, while Manzanillo on the Pacific handles cargo to and from Asia.
Federal Highway 85 and its toll version run north to Nuevo Laredo, while the Colombia bridge in Nuevo León offers a second commercial crossing into Texas. Highway 40 links Monterrey with Saltillo and Reynosa, and Highway 57 runs south to San Luis Potosí and central Mexico. The CPKC rail line between central Mexico and Nuevo Laredo passes through Monterrey. We arrange pick-up and delivery across the metropolitan area, including Apodaca, Escobedo, Santa Catarina, Pesquería and Salinas Victoria.
Industries in Monterrey and how we support them
Monterrey is an established base for steel, cement and glass, and its industrial parks host automotive suppliers, a Kia car plant in Pesquería, household appliance makers and electrical equipment producers. Nearshoring has brought new plants from Asian, European and US companies that import machinery, tooling and components while exporting to the United States. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight on our own air waybills via MTY, Next Flight Out when a line is at risk, On-Board Courier for critical parts and sea freight via Altamira or Manzanillo. 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 Monterrey
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Monterrey International Airport (MTY) | Automotive parts, machinery spares, Next Flight Out | Air gateway located next to the Apodaca and Escobedo industrial parks |
| Nuevo Laredo and Colombia bridge crossings | Cross-border road freight to and from the US | Short road distance from Monterrey plants to the US border |
| Port of Altamira | FCL and LCL to and from Europe and the US Gulf | Closest container port for north-east Mexico |
| Nuevo León industrial parks | Nearshoring plants, appliances, automotive, steel processing | Inbound tooling and components combined with clearance 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
Can you fly urgent machinery parts into Monterrey directly?
Yes. We book air freight to MTY on our own air waybills where suitable capacity exists, or route via Mexico City or a US hub when that gives a better connection. For line-down situations we use Next Flight Out with customs data lodged in advance.
Is it better to fly into MTY or into a Texas airport and truck across?
It depends on the lane, the cargo and how the goods are cleared. Flying directly into MTY keeps clearance in Mexico simple, while some urgent lanes connect better via a US hub. We compare both routes when we quote and explain the customs steps involved.
Do you collect from plants in Apodaca, Santa Catarina and Pesquería?
Yes. We arrange pick-up and delivery across the Monterrey metropolitan area with trusted road partners and deliver to the MTY cargo terminal or to the border crossing, depending on the mode. Cut-off times are confirmed with every booking.
Who clears imports for plants in Nuevo León?
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 our Monterrey plant import components under the IMMEX programme?
Yes, if your company holds an IMMEX authorisation, components for export production can be imported temporarily under that programme. The pedimento must reflect the correct programme and product details. We align the shipment data with your IMMEX registration before the goods ship.
Do you handle USMCA origin documentation for exports from Monterrey?
We can include the USMCA certification of origin in the export file when you provide it, and check that the goods description and tariff classification match. Whether goods qualify for preferential treatment is determined by the rules of origin, which remain the exporter's responsibility.