Philippines
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Bacolod
Bacolod is the centre of the Philippine sugar industry.
Services in Bacolod
- Air freight in BacolodAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in BacolodFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in BacolodImport 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 Bacolod
- AirportBacolod-Silay
BCD - AirportManila
MNL - SeaportPort of Bacolod
Bacolod-Silay Airport (BCD) in Silay City, north of Bacolod, serves Negros Occidental with domestic flights to Manila (MNL) and Cebu (CEB). International air cargo for Bacolod therefore connects via Manila or Cebu. Sea freight runs through the ports of Bacolod, including the BREDCO Port, which handle domestic shipping and some containers, while international containers often move via Manila, Cebu or Iloilo.
Main roads connect Bacolod with Silay and the airport and with the sugar towns of Negros Occidental, such as Victorias and Talisay. Fast craft ferries link Bacolod with Iloilo across the Guimaras Strait. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Bacolod and Negros Occidental.
Industries in Bacolod and how we support them
Negros Occidental is the centre of the Philippine sugar industry, with sugar cane plantations and mills across the province. Food processing, including muscovado and other sugar products, and agricultural inputs complete the picture. Ziem Logistics supports these businesses with air freight via BCD and MNL on our own air waybills, Next Flight Out for urgent mill spare parts during the milling season, On-Board Couriers for critical components and sea freight via Bacolod or the larger ports. Our own customs team handles declarations in-house.
Operational logistics facts for Bacolod
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Bacolod-Silay Airport (BCD) | Domestic air freight | Airport for Negros Occidental with flights to Manila and Cebu |
| BREDCO Port and other Bacolod ports | Domestic shipping and containers | Sea freight for Negros |
| Negros Occidental sugar mills | Sugar, muscovado, food products | Urgent mill spare parts by air |
| Fast craft link to Iloilo | Passengers and small cargo | Connection to Panay |
Customs clearance in the Philippines
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in the Philippines is handled by our own in-house customs team.
For air freight to and from the Philippines we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in the Philippines need accreditation as an importer with the Bureau of Customs.
Frequently asked questions
How does international air freight reach Bacolod?
Most international shipments fly into MNL or CEB on our own air waybill and continue to BCD on a domestic flight. We plan the transfer and confirm the routing with every booking.
Can you get urgent spare parts to a sugar mill in Negros during the milling season?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out to BCD via Manila or Cebu, have the part cleared and arrange delivery to the mill. For critical cases an On-Board Courier carries the part all the way.
Do typhoons affect shipments to Bacolod?
During the typhoon season, roughly from June to November, flights and ferries can be suspended for short periods. We monitor weather bulletins and rebook where needed.
Where are imports for Bacolod cleared?
Imports are usually cleared at the first port of entry, such as Manila or Cebu, and moved to Bacolod domestically. Our own customs team handles the declarations in-house, without outside brokers.
Do sugar exports from Negros need special clearances?
Yes. Sugar exports and imports in the Philippines are regulated by the Sugar Regulatory Administration, and shipments need the corresponding clearances. Our customs team checks the requirements and prepares the export declaration.
Can you clear imports of mill machinery for Negros?
Yes. Machinery is declared like other imports, and some projects benefit from incentives that need supporting documents. Our customs team reviews the case and prepares the declaration.