Mexico
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Querétaro
Querétaro is Mexico's main aerospace cluster, with engine and aircraft-part plants.
Services in Querétaro
- Air freight in QuerétaroAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in QuerétaroFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in QuerétaroImport 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 Querétaro
- AirportQuerétaro Intercontinental
QRO - SeaportManzanillo and Veracruz
Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO), east of the city in the municipality of Colón, serves the region's aerospace and automotive plants and has its own cargo terminal. Several aerospace manufacturers are located close to the airport. For lanes with more capacity, Querétaro is within trucking distance of the airports serving Mexico City, Felipe Ángeles (NLU) and Benito Juárez (MEX). Sea freight is usually routed via Manzanillo on the Pacific for Asian trade or Veracruz on the Gulf for Europe, with both ports linked to the Bajío by highway and rail.
Querétaro sits on Highway 57, the main trucking corridor between Mexico City, San Luis Potosí, Monterrey and the US border at Nuevo Laredo. Highway 45D runs west through the Bajío to Celaya, Irapuato and León. The city is also a rail junction where CPKC and Ferromex lines meet, connecting the region with the Pacific and Gulf ports and with the northern border. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Querétaro, including El Marqués, Colón and the industrial parks along Highway 57.
Industries in Querétaro and how we support them
Querétaro is Mexico's main aerospace cluster, with engine component, landing gear, aircraft structure and maintenance operations, plus a specialised aerospace university. Automotive suppliers, household appliance producers and a growing number of data centres complete the picture. Aerospace and data centre projects need certified parts and equipment, often under tight deadlines. Ziem Logistics supports them with air freight on our own air waybills, Next Flight Out for AOG-type and line-down situations, and On-Board Courier for hand-carried components. 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 technical goods.
Operational logistics facts for Querétaro
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO) | Aerospace parts, automotive components, general cargo | Cargo terminal close to the aerospace plants east of the city |
| Highway 57 corridor | Road freight to Mexico City and the US border | Direct trucking link to the Nuevo Laredo crossing |
| Querétaro aerospace cluster | Engine components, structures, maintenance | Urgent parts by Next Flight Out or On-Board Courier |
| Querétaro rail junction | Containers to and from Manzanillo and Veracruz | Sea freight 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
Do you fly into QRO or truck from Mexico City airports?
Both are possible. Some airlines serve QRO directly, while wider capacity is available at NLU and MEX with trucking onward to Querétaro. We choose the routing per shipment and confirm cut-off and arrival details when we quote.
Can you handle urgent aircraft parts for a Querétaro maintenance site?
Yes. For aircraft-on-ground situations we book Next Flight Out on the first suitable connection or send an On-Board Courier who hand-carries the part to the site. Certificates and airworthiness documents travel with the shipment.
Do you ship dangerous goods such as aerospace chemicals to Querétaro?
Yes, provided the goods are classified, packed and labelled correctly and the shipper's declaration is complete. We check airline acceptance before booking, because not every carrier or routing accepts every class of dangerous goods.
Who clears aerospace imports for plants in Querétaro?
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 aerospace components be imported under IMMEX into Querétaro?
Yes, if your company holds an IMMEX authorisation, components for export production can be imported temporarily. The pedimento must match your programme registration and the product data. We align this with you before the goods ship.
How is tariff classification handled for technical aircraft parts?
Aircraft parts and technical equipment often have several possible tariff headings. We classify them based on technical data sheets and function before shipment, so duties, programme benefits and any permit requirements are clear in advance.