United States
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Charlotte
Charlotte is a growing distribution hub for the Carolinas, close to the ports of Charleston and Wilmington.
Services in Charlotte
- Air freight in CharlotteAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in CharlotteFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in CharlotteImport 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 Charlotte
- AirportCharlotte Douglas
CLT - SeaportPorts of Charleston and Wilmington
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is the largest airport in the Carolinas and a major hub for American Airlines, with transatlantic widebody flights that carry belly cargo as well as freighter operations. A Norfolk Southern intermodal terminal is located on airport land, combining air and rail at one site. By sea, Charlotte is served by the Port of Charleston in South Carolina and the Port of Wilmington in North Carolina, both reachable by road; the Inland Port Greer in upstate South Carolina connects to Charleston by rail.
I-77 and I-85 cross in Charlotte, with the I-485 ring road around the city. I-85 links Charlotte with Atlanta and the automotive plants of upstate South Carolina, while I-77 leads to Columbia and towards Charleston. The Norfolk Southern intermodal terminal at the airport and CSX rail services connect Charlotte with the coastal ports.
Industries in Charlotte and how we support them
Charlotte is one of the largest banking centres in the US and the headquarters location of a major energy company, while the wider region is home to NASCAR racing teams and motorsport suppliers. Upstate South Carolina, along I-85, has large automotive and tyre plants. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via CLT, Next Flight Out for production-critical automotive and energy equipment parts, On-Board Courier for IT equipment and motorsport components, and sea freight through Charleston or Wilmington. For temporary imports of racing equipment, we prepare the customs documents in advance.
Operational logistics facts for Charlotte
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) | Belly capacity on transatlantic flights, freighters | Largest airport in the Carolinas |
| Norfolk Southern intermodal terminal at CLT | Rail containers from coastal ports | Air and rail at one location |
| Ports of Charleston and Wilmington | FCL/LCL containers | Two sea freight options within trucking distance |
| I-85 automotive corridor | Automotive and tyre manufacturing | Road access to plants in the Carolinas |
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 Charlotte airport for international air freight?
Yes. Charlotte Douglas (CLT) has transatlantic flights with belly capacity and freighter operations. For destinations without suitable direct options, we compare routings via Atlanta or other hubs. We book under our own air waybills and arrange pick-up across the Charlotte region.
Can you ship motorsport parts for races abroad?
Yes. Urgent parts and equipment can travel as air freight or with an On-Board Courier. For equipment that returns after the event, we check whether an ATA carnet or another temporary export procedure is suitable.
Do you deliver urgent parts to automotive plants in upstate South Carolina?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out to Charlotte or another suitable airport, file the customs data before arrival and arrange direct road delivery to the plant along I-85.
Who clears customs for shipments into Charlotte?
Clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, working under the Ziem Logistics brand, to our procedures and with the data we prepare. Entries are filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and you deal only with Ziem Logistics.
Can containers from Charleston be cleared in Charlotte?
Yes. Containers can move in bond by road or rail from Charleston or Wilmington to Charlotte and be cleared there, or be cleared at the port. We agree the option that fits your delivery plan before the vessel arrives.
How do temporary imports of racing equipment work in the US?
Professional equipment can be imported temporarily under an ATA carnet or a temporary importation under bond, provided it is re-exported within the permitted period. We check the equipment list and documents with you before the shipment departs.