Sweden
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Uppsala
Uppsala is a life-science centre just 20 minutes from Arlanda Airport.
Services in Uppsala
- Air freight in UppsalaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in UppsalaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in UppsalaImport 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 Uppsala
- AirportStockholm Arlanda
ARN - SeaportStockholm Norvik and Gothenburg
Uppsala is close to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), which lies between Uppsala and Stockholm and is Sweden's main air cargo gateway. This proximity gives Uppsala's life-science companies direct access to belly and freighter capacity without travelling through the capital. For sea freight, Stockholm Norvik Port and the Port of Gävle to the north are the nearest container ports, with Gothenburg used for many deep-sea services.
The E4 motorway links Uppsala directly with Arlanda and Stockholm, and continues north towards Gävle. The East Coast Line railway runs through Uppsala, connecting the city with Stockholm and northern Sweden. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Uppsala and Uppsala County.
Industries in Uppsala and how we support them
Uppsala is one of Sweden's main life-science centres, built around Uppsala University, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and a cluster of biotech, diagnostics and bioprocessing companies, including large operations of Cytiva and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Their products, from reagents and laboratory equipment to bioprocessing systems, often need temperature control and careful documentation. Ziem Logistics supports these companies with air freight from Arlanda under our own air waybills, temperature-controlled solutions, On-Board Courier for time-critical samples, Next Flight Out for urgent equipment, and in-house customs clearance including classification of chemicals and biological products.
Operational logistics facts for Uppsala
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) | Belly and freighter capacity | Sweden's main air cargo airport, between Uppsala and Stockholm |
| Uppsala life-science cluster | Biotech, diagnostics, bioprocessing | Temperature-controlled and documented air freight |
| Port of Gävle | Containers and general cargo | Nearest container port to the north of Uppsala |
| East Coast Line rail corridor | Rail link to Stockholm and northern Sweden | Regional rail connectivity for the Uppsala area |
Customs clearance in Sweden
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in Sweden is handled by our own in-house customs team.
For air freight to and from Sweden we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Sweden need an EORI number issued by Swedish Customs.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport do you use for Uppsala shipments?
Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), which is close to Uppsala via the E4. Air freight runs under our own air waybills, either directly or via a European hub. We confirm cut-off times with every booking.
Can you ship temperature-controlled biologics from Uppsala?
Yes. We book temperature-controlled options with airlines that handle pharma at Arlanda, agree packaging and temperature range with you and prepare the required documentation before collection.
Does winter de-icing at Arlanda affect urgent Uppsala shipments?
De-icing between November and March can delay departures. We plan time-critical shipments with this in mind, keep you informed and propose alternatives such as an On-Board Courier when necessary.
Can you clear laboratory reagents imported into Uppsala?
Yes. Our own customs team files the import declaration with Tullverket. Chemicals and biological products need precise tariff classification and sometimes additional permits, so we review safety data sheets and product details in advance.
Do bioprocessing systems exported from Uppsala need licences?
Some biological equipment is listed as dual-use and requires an export licence from the Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products for destinations outside the EU. We check the classification and include any licence reference on the declaration.
Can you handle temporary import of equipment for research?
Yes. Equipment imported temporarily for research or demonstration may qualify for temporary admission with duty relief. We prepare the declaration under the appropriate procedure and track the re-export.