Philippines
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Clark
Clark Freeport Zone offers special customs treatment and a less congested alternative to Manila.
Services in Clark
- Air freight in ClarkAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in ClarkFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in ClarkImport 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 Clark
- AirportClark International
CRK - SeaportSubic Bay
Clark International Airport (CRK) lies inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, north of Metro Manila. It opened a new passenger terminal in 2022 and serves as the main alternative to Manila (MNL) for Luzon, with international flights to Asian and Middle Eastern destinations. Its location inside the freeport makes it practical for companies registered with the Clark Development Corporation. For sea freight, the nearest container port is Subic Bay, to the west via the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, while the Port of Manila is reached via the North Luzon Expressway.
The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) connects Clark with Metro Manila to the south, and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) links it with Subic Bay to the west and Tarlac to the north, where the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway continues to Northern Luzon. The North-South Commuter Railway, linking Clark with Manila, is under construction. New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, is being developed nearby. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Clark, Pampanga and Central Luzon.
Industries in Clark and how we support them
The Clark Freeport Zone hosts electronics and semiconductor manufacturers, aviation services, logistics and distribution centres, and companies in food and light manufacturing, while the surrounding provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac and Bulacan add food processing and general manufacturing. Many freeport companies export finished goods and import components and machinery. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight via CRK or MNL 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 Subic Bay or Manila. Our own customs team handles declarations in-house, including the procedures for freeport-registered companies.
Operational logistics facts for Clark
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Clark International Airport (CRK) | International air freight for Central and Northern Luzon | Less congested alternative to MNL, located inside the freeport |
| Clark Freeport Zone (Clark Development Corporation) | Electronics, aviation services, logistics, manufacturing | Freeport customs treatment for registered companies |
| Subic Bay container terminals, via SCTEX | FCL and LCL | Container port reachable by expressway without crossing Metro Manila |
| NLEX and SCTEX corridor | Road freight to Manila, Subic and Northern Luzon | Direct expressway links in three directions |
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
Which airport do you use for urgent shipments from Clark, CRK or MNL?
We start with CRK because it is inside the freeport and avoids Metro Manila traffic. When the right flight or capacity is only available from MNL, we truck the shipment via NLEX and fly from Manila. Both routings run on our own air waybill, and we confirm the choice with every booking.
Can you handle Next Flight Out shipments for plants in the Clark Freeport Zone?
Yes. We book the first suitable flight into CRK or MNL and lodge the import data in advance, so our customs team can file on arrival. For critical parts, an On-Board Courier can carry them directly to the plant.
Do typhoons affect air freight at Clark?
During the typhoon season, roughly from June to November, flights at CRK and MNL can be suspended for short periods. We monitor weather bulletins and switch airports or rebook where that keeps a shipment moving.
How does customs work for companies in the Clark Freeport Zone?
Companies registered with the Clark Development Corporation can import qualifying goods into the freeport free of duties and taxes. When goods move from the freeport into the rest of the Philippines, duties and taxes apply. Our own customs team prepares the declarations and permits for both cases.
Who clears customs for goods arriving at Clark International Airport?
Ziem Logistics clears customs in the Philippines in-house. Our own customs team files the declarations with the Bureau of Customs, without sub-agents or outside brokers, for goods arriving at CRK as well as at other ports of entry.
Can goods move between Clark and Subic under freeport status?
Goods can be transferred between freeport zones under customs control, provided the receiving company is also registered. The documents must match the registration on both sides. Our customs team checks the details and prepares the transfer.