Thailand
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Hat Yai
Hat Yai is the trade hub for southern Thailand and the border with Malaysia.
Services in Hat Yai
- Air freight in Hat YaiAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in Hat YaiFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in Hat YaiImport 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 Hat Yai
- AirportHat Yai
HDY - SeaportSongkhla and road to Malaysia
Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) is the main airport of southern Thailand's Songkhla province, with frequent domestic flights to Bangkok and a limited number of regional international services. International air freight therefore usually connects via Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), or by road via Penang International Airport (PEN) across the Malaysian border. For sea freight, Songkhla Deep Sea Port handles regional container and fishery traffic, while many shippers in the area truck containers south to Penang Port in Malaysia or north to Laem Chabang.
Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road) and Highway 43 connect Hat Yai with Songkhla, Bangkok and the rest of the south. The Sadao border crossing links the city by road with Bukit Kayu Hitam in Malaysia and the North-South Expressway, while the Southern Line railway runs from Bangkok through Hat Yai to Padang Besar on the Malaysian border. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Hat Yai and Songkhla province.
Industries in Hat Yai and how we support them
Hat Yai is the commercial centre of southern Thailand and a hub for cross-border trade with Malaysia. Songkhla province is a major rubber area, with processors producing sheet, block rubber and latex products such as gloves, and the coast supports seafood processing and canning. Ziem Logistics supports these exporters with sea freight via Songkhla, Penang or Laem Chabang, cross-border road freight to Malaysia, air freight via HDY, BKK or PEN on our own air waybills, and Next Flight Out for urgent machinery parts. Customs clearance on the Thai side is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Operational logistics facts for Hat Yai
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) | Domestic and regional air freight | Airport for southern Thailand with frequent flights to Bangkok |
| Sadao and Padang Besar border crossings | Road and rail freight to and from Malaysia | Direct overland links to Penang and the Malaysian expressway network |
| Songkhla Deep Sea Port | Containers, seafood and regional cargo | Local port for the lower south |
| Songkhla rubber and seafood processors | Rubber, latex products, canned and frozen seafood | Export flows by sea, road or air from one region |
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 from Hat Yai, Bangkok or Penang?
All three are possible. HDY suits domestic and some regional routings, BKK offers the widest choice of international flights, and PEN across the border can be practical for some lanes. We compare the options and fly on our own air waybill.
Can you send urgent parts to factories in Songkhla province?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out into BKK and connect to HDY, or truck from the airport, depending on what reaches the plant first. For critical items an On-Board Courier can carry the part to the factory.
Does the monsoon affect shipments to Hat Yai?
The northeast monsoon, especially in November and December, can bring heavy rain and flooding to Hat Yai and Songkhla. We monitor conditions in this period and adjust pick-ups, deliveries and routings where needed.
Can you handle customs for goods crossing the border at Sadao?
Yes. The Thai export or import declaration is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures, and the Malaysian side is handled by our partner team in Malaysia. You keep one file and one point of contact.
What documents do rubber exports from Hat Yai need?
Rubber exports need the commercial invoice, packing list and correct tariff codes, and may need certificates of origin or quality documents for the buyer. Some rubber exports are subject to a cess. We check the requirements before filing the export declaration.
Can goods move from Thailand to Malaysia by rail through Padang Besar?
Yes, rail freight crosses at Padang Besar, and customs formalities are completed at the border. Whether rail or road suits your shipment depends on the volume, the destination in Malaysia and the schedule. We advise on the best option.