Philippines
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Manila
Manila is our in-house customs base in the Philippines and the hub for domestic air freight to the islands.
Services in Manila
- Air freight in ManilaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in ManilaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in ManilaImport 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 Manila
- AirportNinoy Aquino International
MNL - SeaportManila International Container Terminal and Batangas
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Pasay and Parañaque is the main international air cargo gateway of the Philippines, with several cargo terminals on the airport perimeter and the most international flights in the country. It is also the hub for domestic air freight to the Visayas and Mindanao. Clark International Airport (CRK) north of Metro Manila is an alternative when MNL is congested. Sea freight runs through the Port of Manila: the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) in Tondo, Manila North Harbor for domestic shipping and Manila South Harbor. The Port of Batangas south of the capital is the main alternative container port for Southern Luzon.
The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) runs north to Bulacan, Pampanga and Clark, and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) runs south to Laguna and Batangas, while the Skyway and the NLEX-SLEX Connector link both through Metro Manila. The NAIA Expressway connects the airport with the Skyway and Manila Bay. Truck ban windows apply on some Metro Manila roads, so pick-ups are planned around them. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Metro Manila.
Industries in Manila and how we support them
Metro Manila is the country's largest consumer market and the base for importers and distributors of consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, IT hardware and spare parts. The BPO sector and data centres drive demand for servers and network equipment, and the capital is the redistribution point for goods heading to the provinces. Ziem Logistics flies cargo through MNL on our own air waybills, uses Next Flight Out for urgent parts and On-Board Couriers for hand-carried items, and moves FCL and LCL via MICT or Batangas. Customs clearance in the Philippines is handled in-house: our own customs team prepares and files the declarations with the Bureau of Customs, without sub-agents or outside brokers.
Operational logistics facts for Manila
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) cargo terminals | General cargo, pharma, electronics, spare parts | Most international flights in the Philippines and the domestic air hub to the islands |
| Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) | FCL and LCL to and from Asia, Europe and the Americas | Main international container terminal of the country, inside Metro Manila |
| Manila North Harbor | Domestic sea freight to the Visayas and Mindanao | Onward shipping to the islands from the same city |
| Clark International Airport (CRK) as alternative | Air freight when MNL is congested | Second air gateway for Luzon, reached via NLEX |
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 cargo out of Manila on your own air waybills?
Yes. Ziem Logistics has direct airline access and issues its own air waybills for shipments through MNL. We book the airline, prepare the documents and arrange the hand-over at the cargo terminal, with no other forwarder in between.
Can you get an urgent part to a site in Metro Manila on the first available flight?
Yes. With Next Flight Out we book the first suitable flight into MNL and pre-lodge the import data, so our customs team can file as soon as the goods arrive. For the most critical items an On-Board Courier carries the part to your door.
Do typhoons affect air freight via Manila?
During the typhoon season, roughly from June to November, airports and ports can close for short periods. We monitor weather bulletins, rebook affected shipments and, where it helps, switch between MNL and CRK.
Who clears customs for imports arriving in Manila?
Ziem Logistics clears customs in the Philippines in-house. Our own customs team prepares and files every declaration with the Bureau of Customs, whether the goods arrive at NAIA or at the Port of Manila, without sub-agents or outside brokers.
What does an importer in Metro Manila need before the first shipment?
The importer needs accreditation with the Bureau of Customs. Many goods also need permits or clearances from other agencies, for example the FDA for food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices, the NTC for radio equipment, or the Bureau of Plant Industry and Bureau of Animal Industry for agricultural products. We check this during tariff classification.
What delays customs release in Manila most often?
Most delays come from missing permits, inconsistent invoices or wrong tariff codes, which can lead to examination or a request for more documents. Clearance depends on complete documents, so our customs team checks the file before the goods arrive.