United Kingdom
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Birmingham
The Midlands automotive and aerospace industry relies on East Midlands, the UK's main express freighter airport.
Services in Birmingham
- Air freight in BirminghamAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in BirminghamFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in BirminghamImport 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 Birmingham
- AirportBirmingham Airport
BHX - AirportEast Midlands
EMA - SeaportFelixstowe, Southampton and Liverpool
Birmingham Airport (BHX) serves the West Midlands with passenger flights that carry some belly cargo, but the region's main air freight airport is East Midlands Airport (EMA), the UK's principal express freighter hub, used by the large integrators and freight airlines. For long-haul belly capacity, Heathrow is reached via the M40. Birmingham has no seaport of its own: containers move via Felixstowe, Southampton or Liverpool, each linked to the Midlands by motorway and rail.
Birmingham is at the centre of the UK motorway network: the M6, M5, M42, M40 and the M6 Toll all meet around the city. Rail freight runs through the Birmingham Intermodal Freight Terminal at Hams Hall and the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) further east, both served by container trains from the deep-sea ports. We arrange pick-up and delivery across the West Midlands, including Coventry, Solihull, Wolverhampton and the Black Country.
Industries in Birmingham and how we support them
The West Midlands is the heart of the UK automotive industry, with Jaguar Land Rover production in Solihull and a dense network of tier-one and tier-two suppliers. Aerospace component makers, precision engineering firms and advanced manufacturing companies across the region depend on just-in-time deliveries of parts and tooling. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with Next Flight Out when an assembly line needs parts, On-Board Courier for critical components, air freight via East Midlands, Birmingham or Heathrow under our own air waybills, sea freight from the main container ports, and in-house customs clearance including classification of automotive and aerospace parts.
Operational logistics facts for Birmingham
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| East Midlands Airport (EMA) | Express and freighter operations | Main-deck and express capacity within reach of the West Midlands |
| Birmingham Airport (BHX) | Passenger belly cargo | Local option for smaller shipments to selected destinations |
| Hams Hall rail terminal and DIRFT | Container rail from Felixstowe, Southampton and Liverpool | Sea freight delivered inland by rail into the Midlands |
| West Midlands automotive cluster | Just-in-time parts, tooling, prototypes | Urgent parts moved by NFO or OBC to keep production running |
Customs clearance in the United Kingdom
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in the United Kingdom is handled by our own in-house customs team.
For air freight to and from the United Kingdom we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in the United Kingdom need a GB EORI number issued by HMRC.
Frequently asked questions
Do you route Birmingham freight via BHX, East Midlands or Heathrow?
We choose by cargo and destination. East Midlands (EMA) offers freighter and express capacity, Heathrow (LHR) the widest long-haul belly network, and Birmingham (BHX) suits some smaller consignments. We compare the routings for each shipment and confirm cut-off times with every booking.
Can you send an On-Board Courier with an automotive part from Birmingham?
Yes. When a part must reach a plant abroad as quickly as possible, an On-Board Courier collects it in the West Midlands, carries it on the next suitable flight and delivers it to the factory gate. We check the dimensions and any security restrictions before collection.
Can aerospace components fly as dangerous goods from the Midlands?
Some aerospace parts, such as items containing batteries, fuels or pressurised components, are classed as dangerous goods. We check the classification and safety data with you, book airlines that accept the class concerned and prepare the shipper's declaration. Freighter routings via East Midlands are often used for restricted items.
Can you clear automotive parts imported into the West Midlands?
Yes. Our own customs team files the import declaration with HMRC in CDS. Automotive parts often need careful classification under the UK Global Tariff, and preferential duty may apply under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement when origin rules are met. We review your documents before arrival.
Do you handle customs for containers arriving by rail at Hams Hall?
Yes. Containers can move from the port to an inland terminal and be cleared in-house as part of the same shipment file. We coordinate the declaration, release and final delivery so that the container reaches your site without separate brokers.
Can you help with relief schemes such as inward processing?
We can advise on the information needed and prepare declarations under customs special procedures when you hold the relevant HMRC authorisation. Inward processing is often relevant for manufacturers that import parts, process them and re-export the finished product.