Philippines
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa is the gateway to Palawan, reached mostly by domestic flights.
Services in Puerto Princesa
- Air freight in Puerto PrincesaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in Puerto PrincesaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in Puerto PrincesaImport 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 Puerto Princesa
- AirportPuerto Princesa
PPS - AirportManila
MNL - SeaportPuerto Princesa Port
Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) is the main airport of Palawan, with domestic flights to Manila (MNL) and Cebu (CEB). Cargo for Puerto Princesa mostly moves via Manila and is flown or shipped to the island, because international services at PPS are limited and mainly carry passengers. Puerto Princesa Port handles domestic shipping and supplies for the province, with container and general cargo arriving from Manila. For time-critical goods, air freight via Manila is the usual choice; for bulky supplies and equipment, domestic sea freight is more economical.
The national highway runs north from Puerto Princesa to Roxas, Taytay and El Nido and south to Brooke's Point and the mining areas of southern Palawan. Domestic shipping lines connect Puerto Princesa Port with Manila and other islands. We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Puerto Princesa area.
Industries in Puerto Princesa and how we support them
Palawan's economy combines tourism, fisheries and mining. Seafood, including live and fresh fish and seaweed, is shipped to Manila and export markets, while nickel mining in southern Palawan and the Malampaya gas project offshore drive demand for equipment and spare parts. Resorts in El Nido and around the island import supplies. Ziem Logistics supports these businesses with air freight via PPS and MNL on our own air waybills, Next Flight Out for urgent mining or resort spare parts and sea freight via Manila. Our own customs team handles declarations in-house.
Operational logistics facts for Puerto Princesa
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) | Domestic air freight | Main airport of Palawan with flights to Manila and Cebu |
| Puerto Princesa Port | Domestic shipping | Sea freight link to Manila |
| Southern Palawan mining area | Nickel mining, equipment, spare parts | Urgent spares by air via PPS |
| Palawan fisheries | Live and fresh fish, seaweed | Perishables routed via Manila |
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 Puerto Princesa?
Most international shipments fly into MNL on our own air waybill and continue to PPS on a domestic flight. We plan the transfer and confirm the routing with every booking.
Can you send urgent spare parts to a mine or resort in Palawan?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out to PPS via Manila and arrange onward transport. For critical cases an On-Board Courier carries the part all the way.
Can you ship seafood from Palawan to export markets?
Yes. Seafood is flown from PPS to Manila and then on our own air waybill to the destination. The exporter needs the health certificates required by the destination, usually issued via BFAR, which we check before booking.
Where are imports for Palawan cleared?
Imports are usually cleared at the first port of entry, mainly Manila, and then moved to Puerto Princesa domestically. Our own customs team handles the declarations in-house, without outside brokers.
Can you clear mining equipment for Palawan?
Yes. Mining equipment 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.
What documents do seafood exports from Palawan need?
Seafood exports need health certificates and must meet the destination's import rules. Some species are protected or restricted. Our customs team checks the requirements and prepares the export declaration.