Thailand
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Phuket
Phuket flies fresh seafood to Asia and supplies the tourism industry in southern Thailand.
Services in Phuket
- Air freight in PhuketAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in PhuketFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in PhuketImport 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 Phuket
- AirportPhuket
HKT - SeaportPhuket Deep Sea Port
Phuket International Airport (HKT), in the north of the island, is the main airport of the Andaman coast and one of Thailand's busiest international passenger airports. Its cargo moves mostly in the bellies of passenger aircraft, which suits fresh seafood and smaller consignments to Asian hubs. Krabi International Airport (KBV) on the mainland is a regional alternative, and long-haul or heavier cargo often connects via Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok. Sea freight is limited: Phuket Deep Sea Port handles some regional traffic, while most container cargo for the island moves by road to and from Laem Chabang or Bangkok Port.
Phuket is linked to the mainland by the Sarasin and Thao Thep Kasattri bridges at the northern tip of the island, and Highway 402 runs the length of the island to the airport and Phuket Town. On the mainland, Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road) connects Phang Nga, Krabi and the southern rail line at Surat Thani with Bangkok. There is no railway on Phuket itself. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Phuket and the Andaman coast provinces.
Industries in Phuket and how we support them
Phuket's economy is built on tourism, which creates steady import demand for hotel equipment, food and beverages, spare parts and building materials. Seafood from the Andaman Sea is exported fresh and frozen, and rubber from the surrounding provinces is processed and shipped. Ziem Logistics supports these flows with air freight via HKT and BKK on our own air waybills, cold chain bookings for perishable seafood, Next Flight Out for urgent spare parts for hotels, marinas or utilities, and LCL or FCL sea freight via Laem Chabang with trucking to the island. Customs clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Operational logistics facts for Phuket
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket International Airport (HKT) | Fresh seafood, belly cargo to Asian hubs | International airport on the island with direct regional flights |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), by domestic connection or road | Long-haul and heavier air cargo | Wider choice of airlines for Phuket shipments |
| Laem Chabang Port with trucking to Phuket | FCL and LCL for hotel projects and supplies | Container sea freight for the Andaman coast |
| Andaman coast seafood and rubber processors | Perishables and commodities | Export flows combined with the right health certificates |
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
Can you fly fresh seafood from Phuket to other Asian markets?
Yes. We book belly space on passenger flights from HKT or route the shipment via BKK, on our own air waybill. The exporter needs the health certificates required by the destination, usually issued via the Thai Department of Fisheries, which we check before booking.
Do you use Phuket or Bangkok for air freight to Europe?
It depends on the cargo and the flight options. Direct long-haul services from HKT are mainly passenger flights with limited cargo space, so heavier shipments usually connect via BKK. We compare both routings for each booking.
Does the monsoon season affect air freight from Phuket?
The southwest monsoon, roughly from May to October, can bring storms that disrupt flights and ferries. We plan with buffers in this period and keep the option of trucking urgent shipments to an alternative airport.
Can imports for a hotel project in Phuket be cleared at HKT?
Goods arriving directly at HKT can be cleared there. Containers via Laem Chabang or air cargo via BKK are usually cleared at the point of arrival and trucked south. A partner team in the Ziem network handles clearance, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
What permits do food and beverage imports for Phuket hotels need?
Many food, beverage and alcohol products need Thai FDA approval or other licences, and alcohol is subject to excise duty. The importer of record must hold the right registrations. We check the requirements during tariff classification, before the goods ship.
Can you clear spare parts for yachts or marine equipment arriving in Phuket?
Yes. Marine spare parts are declared like other imports, and some cases, such as parts for foreign-flagged yachts, may follow specific procedures. We review the case with you and our partner team prepares the declaration.