Chiang Mai, Thailand
Sea freight in Chiang Mai
We book FCL and LCL sea freight for shippers and consignees in Chiang Mai, via Laem Chabang. Pre-carriage, on-carriage by road or rail and the customs entries are planned together with the ocean booking.
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.
FCL and LCL via Laem Chabang
Full containers are booked directly with the shipping line; for smaller volumes we use LCL consolidation services. Pre-carriage from Chiang Mai to Laem Chabang, or on-carriage after arrival, is arranged by road or rail as part of the same booking.
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
Which port is used for sea freight to and from Chiang Mai?
Usually Laem Chabang. Depending on the shipping line and the destination, another port can be faster or more economical; we compare the options when quoting.