Chiang Mai, Thailand
Air freight in Chiang Mai
Ziem Logistics books air freight to and from Chiang Mai via Chiang Mai International (CNX). We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Chiang Mai area and prepare the customs entries before the cargo flies. For air freight to and from Thailand we issue our own air waybills.
Airports, seaports and connections in Chiang Mai
- AirportChiang Mai International
CNX - AirportSuvarnabhumi
BKK - SeaportLaem Chabangby road
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), close to the city centre, is the main airport of northern Thailand. It has frequent domestic flights to Bangkok and a number of regional international services, mostly passenger flights carrying belly cargo. Most international air freight for Chiang Mai therefore connects via Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok. Chiang Mai has no seaport; sea freight goes by road to Laem Chabang on the Eastern Seaboard or to Bangkok Port.
Highway 11 and Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road) link Chiang Mai with Lampang, Nakhon Sawan and Bangkok, and further roads lead north to Chiang Rai and the borders with Myanmar and Laos. The Northern Line of the State Railway of Thailand runs from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. The Northern Region Industrial Estate in neighbouring Lamphun is a short drive away. We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Chiang Mai and Lamphun area.
Operational logistics facts for Chiang Mai
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Domestic and regional air freight | Main airport for northern Thailand, linked to BKK by frequent flights |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | Long-haul international air freight | Wider choice of airlines for Chiang Mai cargo |
| Northern Region Industrial Estate (Lamphun) | Electronics and components | Industrial estate within trucking range of CNX |
| Laem Chabang Port, by road | LCL and FCL for crafts and furniture | Sea freight for bulky goods from the north |
Industries in Chiang Mai and how we support them
Chiang Mai is known for handicrafts such as woodcarving, silverware, celadon, textiles and paper products, produced in districts like San Kamphaeng and Hang Dong. The region also grows coffee, tea and fruit, and food processing serves both domestic and export markets. In neighbouring Lamphun, the Northern Region Industrial Estate hosts electronics and component manufacturers. Ziem Logistics supports these exporters with air freight via CNX and BKK on our own air waybills, LCL sea freight via Laem Chabang for furniture and crafts, and Next Flight Out or On-Board Couriers for urgent electronics parts. Customs clearance runs through a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Urgent parts to and from Chiang Mai
When a production line or a project in the Chiang Mai area is waiting for a part, we book Next Flight Out via Chiang Mai International (CNX): the shipment goes on the first suitable flight, with the customs data prepared before departure.
For items that cannot wait for regular cargo handling, an On-Board Courier carries the shipment as hand luggage and hands it over in person.
Booked directly with the airline
For Thailand we issue the air waybill ourselves. The booking, the shipment data and the advance cargo information come from one desk, which reduces handovers and keeps the documents consistent.
Customs clearance in Thailand
Ziem network
Customs clearance in Thailand is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
For air freight to and from Thailand we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Thailand need a 13-digit tax ID registered for customs (paperless) use.
Frequently asked questions
Do you fly cargo directly from Chiang Mai or via Bangkok?
Most international shipments connect via Suvarnabhumi (BKK), either on a domestic flight from CNX or by truck. Some regional destinations can be served directly from CNX. We compare both options and fly on our own air waybill.
Does the burning season haze affect flights at Chiang Mai?
Smoke haze in the burning season, usually from February to April, can reduce visibility and occasionally disrupt flights at CNX. In this period we keep the option of trucking urgent shipments to Bangkok and flying from BKK.
Can you ship handicrafts and furniture from Chiang Mai to Europe or the US?
Yes. Small, high-value items often go by air via BKK, while furniture and larger orders go as LCL or FCL via Laem Chabang. Wooden products may need fumigation or certificates for the destination, which we check before booking.
How do I get a quote for air freight to or from Chiang Mai?
Send us the origin, destination, goods description, weight and dimensions. Our operations desk replies with a routing via Chiang Mai International (CNX) and an itemised quote.