Charlotte, United States
Air freight in Charlotte
Ziem Logistics books air freight to and from Charlotte via Charlotte Douglas (CLT). We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Charlotte area and prepare the customs entries before the cargo flies. For air freight to and from the United States we issue our own air waybills.
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.
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 |
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.
Urgent parts to and from Charlotte
When a production line or a project in the Charlotte area is waiting for a part, we book Next Flight Out via Charlotte Douglas (CLT): the shipment goes on the first suitable flight, with the customs data prepared before departure.
For items that cannot wait for regular cargo handling, an On-Board Courier carries the shipment as hand luggage and hands it over in person.
Booked directly with the airline
For the United States we issue the air waybill ourselves. The booking, the shipment data and the advance cargo information come from one desk, which reduces handovers and keeps the documents consistent.
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.
How do I get a quote for air freight to or from Charlotte?
Send us the origin, destination, goods description, weight and dimensions. Our operations desk replies with a routing via Charlotte Douglas (CLT) and an itemised quote.