United Kingdom
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Liverpool
Liverpool's deep-water port handles transatlantic container traffic for the north of England.
Services in Liverpool
- Air freight in LiverpoolAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in LiverpoolFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in LiverpoolImport 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 Liverpool
- AirportManchester
MAN - AirportLiverpool
LPL - SeaportPort of Liverpool
The Port of Liverpool is the city's main freight gateway. Its deep-water Liverpool2 terminal at Seaforth handles large container ships, and the port is a key UK entry point for transatlantic trade with North America as well as for Irish Sea traffic. For air freight, Manchester Airport (MAN) is the main long-haul option, reached by motorway, while Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) at Speke serves mainly passenger traffic with limited cargo.
The M62 links Liverpool with Manchester, Leeds and Hull, the M57 and M58 serve the port and the northern docks, and the M53 runs through the Wirral towards Ellesmere Port and the M56. The port is rail-connected, with container trains to inland terminals across the UK, and the Manchester Ship Canal links the Mersey with Port Salford. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Merseyside, the Wirral and West Lancashire.
Industries in Liverpool and how we support them
Merseyside has a strong automotive presence, with Jaguar Land Rover at Halewood and Stellantis at Ellesmere Port on the Wirral. Speke and the wider city region host vaccine and biologics manufacturing, and the port supports agri-food, metals and bulk trades. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with sea freight FCL and LCL through the Port of Liverpool, air freight via Manchester under our own air waybills, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for automotive line-down parts and life-science samples, and in-house customs clearance for imports and exports through the port.
Operational logistics facts for Liverpool
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Liverpool (Liverpool2, Seaforth) | Deep-sea containers, transatlantic trades | Direct container services to North America landing on the west coast of the UK |
| Manchester Airport (MAN) | Long-haul belly air freight | Nearest intercontinental airport for urgent Merseyside shipments |
| Halewood and Ellesmere Port | Automotive production and supplier parks | Line-down support with NFO and OBC directly to the plant |
| Speke life-science cluster | Vaccines and biologics | Temperature-controlled air freight booked with pharma-capable airlines |
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
Which airport serves Liverpool for air freight?
Most long-haul air freight from Liverpool flies from Manchester Airport (MAN), which is reached by motorway. Liverpool John Lennon (LPL) is mainly a passenger airport with limited cargo. For freighter capacity we also use East Midlands or Heathrow, and confirm cut-off times with every booking.
Can you fly life-science shipments from Speke?
Yes. We collect from sites in Speke and the city region and book temperature-controlled options with airlines that handle pharma, under our own air waybills. Packaging, temperature range and documentation are agreed with you before collection.
Do you support automotive plants on Merseyside with urgent parts?
Yes. For urgent parts we use Next Flight Out on the first available flight with customs pre-lodged, or an On-Board Courier who hand-carries the part. We arrange final delivery to the plant once the goods are cleared.
Can you clear containers arriving at the Port of Liverpool?
Yes. Our own customs team files the import declaration with HMRC through CDS and coordinates release with the terminal. We need your GB EORI number, the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, then arrange haulage or rail to your premises.
Do you handle export declarations for goods leaving Liverpool by sea?
Yes. We prepare export declarations in-house for containers leaving via Liverpool, which gives you the export evidence needed for VAT purposes. If goods are controlled, for example dual-use items, we check the licensing requirement before booking.
Is Liverpool part of a freeport?
Yes, Liverpool City Region has a designated freeport with customs sites. Using freeport customs procedures requires the relevant authorisations and an operator inside the customs site. We can discuss whether this applies to your goods and prepare the declarations accordingly.