Charlotte, United States
Customs clearance in Charlotte
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Charlotte. 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.
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 |
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.
Clearance through the Ziem network in the United States
In the United States, customs entries are filed by a partner team in the Ziem network. They work under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures; our operations desk prepares the shipment data and remains your contact for the whole shipment.
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.
Avoiding delays at customs
Most customs delays come from inconsistent documents: different values on invoice and packing list, missing HS codes or unclear goods descriptions. We review the documents against each other before departure, so the declaration in the United States can be filed without queries.
Frequently asked questions
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.