Philippines
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Cebu
Cebu is the hub of the Visayas, with export processing zones next to the airport.
Services in Cebu
- Air freight in CebuAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in CebuFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in CebuImport 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 Cebu
- AirportMactan-Cebu International
CEB - SeaportPort of Cebu
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB), on Mactan Island in Lapu-Lapu City, is the second-largest international airport of the Philippines and the main air gateway of the Visayas. It has direct international flights to several Asian destinations, carrying cargo in passenger aircraft, and domestic flights across the islands; other lanes connect via Manila (MNL). The Mactan Economic Zone sits right next to the airport, so export cargo has a short first mile. Sea freight runs through the Port of Cebu, managed by the Cebu Port Authority, which is the country's main hub for domestic inter-island shipping and also handles international containers.
Mactan Island is linked to mainland Cebu by three bridges: the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge, the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), which lands in the south of Cebu City. On the mainland, the coastal roads run north through Mandaue and Consolacion and south to Talisay and Minglanilla, and a transcentral highway crosses the island to the west coast. Fast craft and ro-ro ferries link Cebu with Bohol, Leyte, Negros and Mindanao. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Metro Cebu.
Industries in Cebu and how we support them
Metro Cebu combines export manufacturing in the Mactan Economic Zone, including electronics, semiconductors, precision parts and garments, with Cebu's long-standing furniture industry in Mandaue, fashion accessories and processed food such as dried mangoes. Shipbuilding is present on the west coast at Balamban. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight via CEB on our own air waybills, Next Flight Out for line-down parts, On-Board Couriers for critical components and FCL or LCL sea freight via the Port of Cebu or Manila. Our own customs team handles import and export declarations in-house, including clearances for PEZA-registered companies in the Mactan Economic Zone.
Operational logistics facts for Cebu
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) | Electronics, garments, food products, spare parts | Direct international flights from the Visayas without routing via Manila |
| Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA) | Electronics, semiconductors, precision manufacturing | Export zone directly next to the airport |
| Port of Cebu (Cebu Port Authority) | International containers and domestic inter-island shipping | Main domestic shipping hub of the Philippines |
| Mandaue furniture and manufacturing area | Furniture, home decor, fashion accessories | Export consolidation by sea or by air |
| Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) | Road link between Mactan and southern Cebu City | Alternative to the two older bridges for airport trucking |
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
Do you fly directly from Cebu, or does cargo go via Manila?
Both. For destinations with direct flights from CEB, mainly in Asia, we fly from Cebu on our own air waybill. Other lanes connect via MNL, either on a domestic flight or by changing at a regional hub. We confirm the routing with every booking.
Can you handle urgent parts for a plant in the Mactan Economic Zone?
Yes. With Next Flight Out we book the first suitable flight into CEB and lodge the import data in advance, so our customs team can clear the part on arrival. Because the zone is next to the airport, the last mile is short. An On-Board Courier is available for the most critical items.
Can you ship dried mangoes or other food products from Cebu by air?
Yes, provided the products meet the destination's rules, such as registration, labelling or health certificates. We check the requirements before booking and fly the goods from CEB on our own air waybill.
Can customs be cleared directly in Cebu?
Yes. Our own customs team files declarations with the Bureau of Customs for goods arriving at Mactan-Cebu International Airport or the Port of Cebu, in-house and without outside brokers. There is no need to route goods via Manila for clearance.
How do you handle shipments for PEZA-registered companies in Cebu?
PEZA-registered companies in the Mactan Economic Zone can import qualifying goods under zone incentives, and goods moving in and out of the zone need the corresponding PEZA permits. Our customs team prepares the declarations and permits based on your registration, so we need it on file before the first shipment.
Can you clear furniture exports from Cebu?
Yes. Our customs team prepares the export declaration, and we arrange certificates of origin or phytosanitary certificates where the destination requires them. Wooden furniture may need fumigation, which we coordinate before the container is loaded.