United States
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Austin
Central Texas around Austin has large semiconductor and electric-vehicle plants.
Services in Austin
- Air freight in AustinAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in AustinFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in AustinImport 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 Austin
- AirportAustin-Bergstrom
AUS - AirportDallas/Fort Worth
DFW - SeaportPort Houstonby road
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the airport of Central Texas, with passenger flights to Europe and other international destinations that carry belly cargo and some freighter operations. For larger international volumes, cargo for Austin is often routed via Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) or George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) in Houston and trucked to Central Texas; San Antonio International (SAT) is a further option. Austin has no seaport; ocean freight comes from Port Houston by road or rail.
I-35 runs north-south through Austin, linking it with Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio and further south with Laredo, the busiest land port on the US-Mexico border. The SH 130 toll road provides an eastern bypass along which several large plants are located, and US-183 and SH 71 connect the airport with the city and the eastern industrial areas.
Industries in Austin and how we support them
Central Texas has become a major centre for semiconductors and electric vehicles, with chip fabs in Austin and Taylor, a large electric vehicle and battery plant east of the city, and major computer and electronics companies in Round Rock and Austin. These plants depend on equipment parts, chemicals and components from Asia and Europe. We support them with air freight under our own air waybills via AUS, DFW or IAH, Next Flight Out for fab and production equipment parts, On-Board Courier for prototypes, and sea freight through Port Houston with road delivery to Austin. Customs data is prepared before arrival.
Operational logistics facts for Austin
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Belly cargo and freighter operations | Air freight directly into Central Texas |
| Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Houston (IAH) gateways | Long-haul freighter capacity | Trucking to Austin from the large Texas hubs |
| Austin and Taylor semiconductor fabs | Fab equipment, wafers and chemicals | Time-critical handling for chip production |
| I-35 / SH 130 corridors | Truck distribution and Mexico trade via Laredo | Road access to plants and the US-Mexico border |
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
Which airport do you use for urgent shipments to Austin: AUS or DFW?
It depends on the origin and capacity. Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) is closest, while Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Houston (IAH) offer more freighter capacity. We compare routing, timing and cost for each shipment and book under our own air waybills.
Can you handle urgent parts for EV and battery plants near Austin?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out, file the customs data in advance and arrange direct delivery to the plant. For lithium batteries, we check classification and packaging, as they are dangerous goods in air transport.
Do you collect from tech companies in Round Rock and the Austin area?
Yes. We arrange pick-up across the Austin area, including Round Rock, Taylor and Georgetown, with trusted road partners, and connect the cargo to the most suitable departure airport.
Who clears customs for shipments into Austin?
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. Entries are filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and you deal only with Ziem Logistics.
Can components from Mexico be imported via Laredo for Austin plants?
Yes. Road freight from Mexico can be cleared at the Laredo border crossing and delivered to Austin via I-35. Goods that meet the USMCA rules of origin may qualify for preferential treatment if the importer can support the origin claim.
What export controls apply to semiconductor shipments from Austin?
Semiconductors, equipment and related technology may be subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and some destinations or end users need a licence. The exporter determines the classification; we file the Electronic Export Information (EEI) through AES.