Philippines
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Davao
Davao is the main gateway of Mindanao; most international air cargo connects via Manila.
Services in Davao
- Air freight in DavaoAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in DavaoFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in DavaoImport 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 Davao
- AirportFrancisco Bangoy International
DVO - SeaportPort of Davao
Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) in Davao City is the main airport of Mindanao, with frequent domestic flights to Manila (MNL) and Cebu (CEB) and a limited number of international services. Most international air cargo for Davao therefore connects via Manila or Cebu. Sea freight runs through the Port of Davao, including the Sasa Wharf, and the Davao International Container Terminal in Panabo, Davao del Norte, which handles a large share of the region's fruit exports in reefer containers.
The Pan-Philippine Highway connects Davao City with Tagum and Panabo to the north and with General Santos and Cotabato to the south-west. Davao has no railway, so goods move by road to the ports and plantations. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Davao City and Davao del Norte.
Industries in Davao and how we support them
The Davao region is the centre of the Philippine banana export industry, with large Cavendish plantations in Davao del Norte, and it also grows durian, pomelo, coconut and cacao. Food processing, packaging and agricultural input suppliers support these chains. Ziem Logistics supports exporters and importers with reefer FCL via the Davao International Container Terminal, air freight via DVO and MNL on our own air waybills, and Next Flight Out for urgent machinery and packing line parts. Our own customs team handles declarations in-house, including the phytosanitary documents fruit exports require.
Operational logistics facts for Davao
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) | Domestic and regional air freight | Main airport of Mindanao with frequent flights to Manila and Cebu |
| Davao International Container Terminal (Panabo) | Reefer FCL for bananas and fruit | Container terminal close to the plantations of Davao del Norte |
| Port of Davao (Sasa Wharf) | Containers and domestic shipping | Port inside Davao City |
| Davao del Norte plantations | Bananas, fruit, coconut, cacao | Export flows combined with phytosanitary documents |
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 Davao?
Most international shipments fly into MNL or CEB on our own air waybill and continue to DVO on a domestic flight. Where a suitable international service exists, we use it directly. We confirm the routing with every booking.
Can you send urgent spare parts to a packing plant in Davao del Norte?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out to DVO via Manila or Cebu and arrange delivery to the plant. For critical parts, an On-Board Courier can carry them all the way.
Do typhoons affect shipments to Davao?
Mindanao is rarely hit directly by typhoons, but connections via Manila and Cebu can be disrupted during the typhoon season, roughly from June to November. We monitor conditions and rebook where needed.
Can customs be cleared in Davao?
Yes. Our own customs team files declarations with the Bureau of Customs for goods arriving at the Port of Davao or DVO, in-house and without outside brokers. Goods arriving via Manila can also be cleared there and moved domestically.
What documents do banana and fruit exports from Davao need?
Fruit exports need phytosanitary certificates from the Bureau of Plant Industry and must meet the destination's import rules. We coordinate these documents with the export declaration filed by our customs team.
Can you clear imports of agricultural machinery for Mindanao plantations?
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.