United Kingdom
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Glasgow
Glasgow and Prestwick serve Scottish exporters, from whisky to aerospace components.
Services in Glasgow
- Air freight in GlasgowAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in GlasgowFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in GlasgowImport 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 Glasgow
- AirportGlasgow
GLA - AirportPrestwick
PIK - SeaportGreenock and Grangemouth
Glasgow Airport (GLA) is the main airport for the west of Scotland and carries belly cargo on its passenger flights. Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) in Ayrshire has a long runway and handles freighter traffic, which makes it a useful option for main-deck cargo. Edinburgh (EDI) is an alternative to the east. For sea freight, Greenock Ocean Terminal on the Clyde handles containers, and Grangemouth on the Firth of Forth is Scotland's largest container port.
The M8 links Glasgow with Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh, the M74 runs south towards England, and the M77 and A77 lead to Prestwick. The M80 connects to Stirling and towards Grangemouth. Rail freight terminals at Coatbridge and Mossend, east of the city, handle container trains from English ports. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Ayrshire.
Industries in Glasgow and how we support them
The west of Scotland exports whisky, with blending, bottling and warehousing sites around Glasgow and in the surrounding area. Aerospace has a strong presence near Prestwick, with aerostructures and maintenance operations, and Glasgow is a centre for small-satellite manufacturing. Life sciences and engineering also contribute. Ziem Logistics supports these industries with sea freight for whisky exports, air freight via Glasgow, Prestwick or Edinburgh under our own air waybills, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for aerospace and space components, and in-house customs clearance, including excise considerations for spirits.
Operational logistics facts for Glasgow
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) | Freighter traffic, aerospace | Main-deck capacity on the west coast of Scotland |
| Glasgow Airport (GLA) | Belly cargo on passenger flights | Local departures for smaller consignments |
| Grangemouth and Greenock | Container traffic | Scottish ports for whisky and engineering exports |
| Coatbridge and Mossend rail terminals | Container rail from English ports | Inland delivery of deep-sea containers into Scotland |
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 use Glasgow, Prestwick or Edinburgh for air freight?
It depends on the cargo. Glasgow (GLA) and Edinburgh (EDI) offer belly capacity on passenger flights, and Prestwick (PIK) handles freighter traffic for main-deck cargo. For many long-haul routes we truck freight to a larger hub. We confirm cut-off times with every booking.
Can you ship aerospace parts from Prestwick-area companies?
Yes. We handle aerospace components from the Prestwick area with Next Flight Out, On-Board Courier or scheduled air freight under our own air waybills. We check dimensions, dangerous-goods status and export controls before collection.
Can satellite components from Glasgow be shipped by air?
Yes. Satellite components are typically high-value and sensitive, so we agree packaging, handling instructions and insurance in advance. An On-Board Courier is an option when the item must stay in someone's hands, subject to export licence requirements.
Can you clear whisky exports from Glasgow?
Yes. Our own customs team prepares the export declaration. Whisky is an excise good, so movements under duty suspension must be correctly documented and linked to the bonded warehouse. We coordinate this with your bond and the destination's import requirements.
Can you clear imports for Scottish companies at English ports?
Yes. Clearance does not depend on where the goods arrive. We file the import declaration with HMRC in CDS for goods landed at Felixstowe, Southampton or Liverpool and arrange onward transport to Glasgow by road or rail.
Do space and aerospace exports need export licences?
Some satellite and aerospace items are controlled as military or dual-use goods and require a licence from the Export Control Joint Unit. We check the classification and include the licence reference on the export declaration.