Chiang Mai, Thailand
Customs clearance in Chiang Mai
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Chiang Mai. Customs clearance in Thailand is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
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.
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 |
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.
One contact, local customs expertise
Our partner team in Thailand files the declarations locally, under the Ziem Logistics brand. You send documents and questions to our operations desk, which coordinates with the team and keeps you informed.
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.
Documents we check before shipping
Commercial invoice, packing list, the transport document and, where needed, certificates of origin, licences or permits. We check that descriptions, values and HS codes are consistent across all documents before the goods move.
Frequently asked questions
Can imports for Chiang Mai be cleared locally?
Thai Customs has an office at Chiang Mai, and goods arriving directly at CNX can be cleared there. Goods arriving via Bangkok are usually cleared at BKK or Laem Chabang and then trucked north. A partner team in the Ziem network handles clearance under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
What do exporters of food or agricultural products from Chiang Mai need?
Depending on the product and destination, exporters may need phytosanitary certificates, health certificates or registration with the Thai FDA. We check the requirements during tariff classification and coordinate the documents with the export declaration.
Can you handle certificates of origin for crafts from Chiang Mai?
Certificates of origin are issued by the Thai authorities on application by the exporter. We help prepare the documents and make sure the data matches the export declaration, so the buyer can claim any preferential duty rate.