United States
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Atlanta
Atlanta is the distribution hub of the US Southeast, close to the fast-growing Port of Savannah.
Services in Atlanta
- Air freight in AtlantaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in AtlantaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in AtlantaImport 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 Atlanta
- AirportHartsfield-Jackson
ATL - SeaportPort of Savannah
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest passenger airports in the world and the home hub of Delta Air Lines, which gives Atlanta significant belly cargo capacity alongside freighter operations. For ocean freight, the Port of Savannah, roughly 400 km south-east by road, is one of the largest container ports in the US and the main sea gateway for Atlanta's distribution centres. The Port of Brunswick on the Georgia coast specialises in ro-ro vehicles and machinery.
Atlanta is the meeting point of I-75, I-85 and I-20, with the I-285 perimeter highway encircling the city and I-16 running to Savannah. Norfolk Southern and CSX operate major rail yards and intermodal terminals in the metro area. The Georgia Ports Authority's Appalachian Regional Port in north-west Georgia connects to Savannah by rail, adding another inland option.
Industries in Atlanta and how we support them
Atlanta is the main distribution hub of the US Southeast, with large warehouses for retail, e-commerce and consumer goods. Georgia has a growing automotive industry with vehicle and battery plants, and the state is a major food and beverage producer, including poultry and drinks brands headquartered in Atlanta. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via ATL, sea freight through Savannah with rail or truck delivery to Atlanta, Next Flight Out for production-critical automotive parts and On-Board Courier for urgent samples. Customs data is prepared before the cargo arrives.
Operational logistics facts for Atlanta
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) | Belly and freighter capacity | Large passenger hub with wide international connections |
| Port of Savannah | FCL/LCL containers | Major container port within trucking distance of Atlanta |
| I-285 / I-75 / I-85 junction | Truck distribution across the Southeast | Central location for regional delivery |
| Norfolk Southern and CSX intermodal terminals | Rail containers from the coast | Rail connection between ports and the Atlanta warehouse market |
Customs clearance in the United States
Ziem network
Customs clearance in the United States 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 the United States we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in the United States need an importer of record number and, for most formal entries, a customs bond.
Frequently asked questions
Do you use Atlanta airport for international air freight?
Yes. Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) offers belly capacity on a wide passenger network plus freighter flights. We book under our own air waybills and arrange pick-up and delivery across the Atlanta metro area and the wider Southeast.
Can you deliver urgent parts to automotive plants in Georgia?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out to ATL with the customs data filed before arrival and arrange direct delivery to the plant. For critical components, an On-Board Courier can carry the parts door to door.
Is it cheaper to fly into Atlanta or truck from another airport?
It depends on the origin and capacity. Sometimes flying into a larger freighter hub and trucking to Atlanta is more cost-effective; for urgent shipments, direct arrival at ATL is often better. We compare both options for each shipment.
Can my container from Savannah be cleared in Atlanta?
Yes. Containers can be cleared at the port or move in bond to Atlanta for clearance there. Clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand, to our procedures and with the shipment data we prepare.
What documents does a US importer need for clearance in Atlanta?
An importer of record number, a customs bond for most formal entries, a commercial invoice and packing list, and correct HTSUS tariff classifications. For ocean freight, the Importer Security Filing (ISF) must also be submitted before loading at origin.
How do you help with tariff classification for automotive parts?
We review product descriptions and technical data with you and propose HTSUS classifications. Correct classification matters because duty rates and additional tariffs for automotive parts can vary depending on the product and its country of origin.