Mexico
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Tijuana
Tijuana is a leading location for medical-device manufacturing, right on the US border.
Services in Tijuana
- Air freight in TijuanaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in TijuanaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in TijuanaImport 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 Tijuana
- AirportTijuana
TIJ - AirportSan Diego
SANcross-border - SeaportEnsenada and road to the US
Tijuana International Airport (TIJ), officially General Abelardo L. Rodríguez, lies directly on the US border, and the Cross Border Xpress bridge connects its terminal with San Diego for passengers. For cargo, Tijuana's export industry often uses US gateways: San Diego International Airport (SAN) and the larger Los Angeles International Airport are reached by truck through the Otay Mesa commercial crossing. Sea freight for Baja California is handled at the port of Ensenada, south of Tijuana, while larger volumes are routed through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in the United States.
The Otay Mesa commercial crossing handles most truck freight between Tijuana and San Diego, with the Otay Mesa East crossing being developed nearby. Federal Highway 1D runs south along the coast to Ensenada, and Highway 2D east to Tecate and Mexicali. The Mesa de Otay industrial district sits next to the border and the airport. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Tijuana, Tecate and Rosarito, with cross-border trucking through trusted road partners.
Industries in Tijuana and how we support them
Tijuana is one of the world's largest locations for medical-device manufacturing, with plants producing catheters, surgical instruments and diagnostic products. Electronics assembly, aerospace components and televisions add to the export base, most of it produced for the US market under maquiladora structures. Medical devices need careful documentation and sometimes temperature-controlled handling. Ziem Logistics supports these plants with air freight on our own air waybills, Next Flight Out for line-down parts, On-Board Courier for critical components and cross-border road freight. Customs clearance in Mexico is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Operational logistics facts for Tijuana
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Otay Mesa commercial crossing | Cross-border truck freight to and from San Diego | Direct road link from Tijuana plants to US gateways |
| Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) | Mexican domestic and international air connections | Airport located on the border next to the Mesa de Otay industrial district |
| Tijuana medical-device cluster | Medical devices, electronics, aerospace parts | Regulated healthcare goods documented in one shipment file |
| Port of Ensenada | Container and general cargo for Baja California | Mexican seaport option within Baja California |
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 cargo into Tijuana or via San Diego and Los Angeles?
Both options exist. TIJ is useful for Mexican domestic and some international connections, while many export and import lanes run via SAN or LAX with trucking across the border at Otay Mesa. We compare routings and customs steps when we quote.
Can you ship medical devices from Tijuana on your own air waybills?
Yes. Ziem Logistics has direct airline access and issues its own air waybills. For medical devices we agree packaging, temperature requirements and documentation with the shipper before booking.
Can an On-Board Courier deliver urgently to a plant in Mesa de Otay?
Yes. An On-Board Courier hand-carries the part on a passenger flight and delivers it to the plant, with the routing chosen according to available flights and the customs steps at the border.
Who clears imports into Mexico for Tijuana plants?
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.
How do maquiladoras in Tijuana import components under IMMEX?
Companies with an IMMEX authorisation import components temporarily for export production. Each pedimento must match the programme registration, product data and later export flows. We align shipment data with your IMMEX setup before the goods cross.
Are medical-device imports into Tijuana subject to COFEPRIS?
It depends on the product and its use. Some medical devices and materials require COFEPRIS permits, while others imported temporarily for export production follow different rules. We check this during tariff classification, before the goods ship.