Philippines
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Zamboanga
Zamboanga is the sardine capital of the Philippines and a trade link to Malaysia.
Services in Zamboanga
- Air freight in ZamboangaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in ZamboangaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in ZamboangaImport 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 Zamboanga
- AirportZamboanga
ZAM - AirportManila
MNL - SeaportPort of Zamboanga
Zamboanga International Airport (ZAM) serves the city with domestic flights to Manila (MNL) and Cebu (CEB). International air cargo for Zamboanga therefore connects via Manila or Cebu. Sea freight runs through the Port of Zamboanga, which handles domestic shipping and containers and is the traditional trade link with Sabah in Malaysia. Canned sardines and other processed goods usually leave Zamboanga by domestic vessel to Manila or Cebu for international container services, while urgent spare parts arrive by air via Manila.
Roads connect Zamboanga City with the Zamboanga Peninsula and onward to Pagadian and Dipolog. Domestic shipping lines link the Port of Zamboanga with Manila, Cebu and the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Zamboanga City area.
Industries in Zamboanga and how we support them
Zamboanga is known as the sardine capital of the Philippines, with canneries processing the catch of the Zamboanga fishing fleet. Coconut products and seaweed are also important, and the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone hosts processing and manufacturing companies. Trade with Sabah has a long history. Ziem Logistics supports these businesses with FCL sea freight via the Port of Zamboanga or Manila, air freight via ZAM and MNL on our own air waybills, and Next Flight Out for urgent cannery spare parts. Our own customs team handles declarations in-house.
Operational logistics facts for Zamboanga
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Zamboanga International Airport (ZAM) | Domestic air freight | Airport for the Zamboanga Peninsula with flights to Manila and Cebu |
| Port of Zamboanga | Containers and domestic shipping | Sea freight link to Manila, Cebu and the southern islands |
| Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone | Processing and manufacturing | Zone incentives for registered companies |
| Zamboanga sardine canneries | Canned fish, seaweed, coconut products | Export flows via the port |
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 Zamboanga?
Most international shipments fly into MNL or CEB on our own air waybill and continue to ZAM on a domestic flight. We plan the transfer and confirm the routing with every booking.
Can you send urgent spare parts to a cannery in Zamboanga?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out to ZAM via Manila or Cebu and arrange delivery to the plant. For critical cases an On-Board Courier carries the part all the way.
Do typhoons affect shipments to Zamboanga?
Mindanao is rarely hit directly by typhoons, but connections via Manila and Cebu can be disrupted during the typhoon season. We monitor conditions and rebook where needed.
Can customs be cleared in Zamboanga?
Yes. Our own customs team files declarations with the Bureau of Customs for goods arriving at the Port of Zamboanga, in-house and without outside brokers. Goods via Manila can also be cleared there.
What documents do canned sardine exports need?
Canned fish exports need health certificates and must meet the destination's import rules, including labelling. Our customs team checks the requirements and prepares the export declaration.
Can you clear goods for companies in the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone?
Yes. Companies registered in the zone can import qualifying goods under zone incentives. Our customs team prepares the declarations based on the registration, so we need it on file before the first shipment.