United States
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Dallas
Dallas/Fort Worth is a central US distribution hub with strong technology and semiconductor industries.
Services in Dallas
- Air freight in DallasAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in DallasFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in DallasImport 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 Dallas
- AirportDallas/Fort Worth
DFW - SeaportPort Houstonby road
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the main cargo airport for North Texas, with freighter and widebody connections to Europe, Asia and Latin America and a central location for US distribution. Dallas Love Field (DAL) serves mainly domestic passenger traffic. Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW) is an industrial airport focused on cargo and is part of the AllianceTexas logistics park. The region has no seaport; ocean freight reaches it from Port Houston by road or rail, or from the West Coast ports by rail.
Dallas-Fort Worth is a crossroads of I-35 (north-south from Laredo on the Mexican border to the Midwest), I-20, I-30 and I-45. BNSF and Union Pacific operate major intermodal terminals in the region, including at Alliance and south of Dallas. This combination of air, rail and road makes DFW one of the main inland distribution hubs in the US.
Industries in Dallas and how we support them
North Texas is a centre for semiconductors and electronics, with chip manufacturers in Dallas and Richardson, plus telecom, defence and aerospace companies in Fort Worth. Large distribution centres serve retail and e-commerce across the US. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via DFW, sea freight through Houston or the West Coast with inland delivery, Next Flight Out for production-critical semiconductor equipment parts, and On-Board Courier for samples and prototypes. For technology exports we check export control requirements together with you.
Operational logistics facts for Dallas
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) | Freighter and widebody air freight | Central US location for nationwide distribution |
| Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW) | Industrial cargo airport with rail and logistics park | Air, rail and road combined in one location |
| I-35 corridor | Truck connection to Mexico and the Midwest | Direct road link to the Laredo border crossing |
| BNSF and Union Pacific intermodal terminals | Rail containers from Houston and the West Coast | Inland delivery of sea freight |
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 air freight to Dallas?
Mainly Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), which has the widest range of international freighter and passenger flights. For some cargo and routings, Fort Worth Alliance (AFW) is an option. We book under our own air waybills and arrange delivery across North Texas.
Can you handle urgent semiconductor equipment parts for Dallas fabs?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out with the customs data filed before arrival and arrange direct delivery to the fab. Sensitive equipment can be handled with special packaging requirements agreed in advance, or carried by an On-Board Courier.
Do you deliver to distribution centres around Dallas-Fort Worth?
Yes. We arrange delivery to distribution centres across the Dallas-Fort Worth area with trusted road partners. Please let us know about appointment requirements or dock schedules when booking.
Can sea freight be cleared in Dallas instead of at the port?
Yes. Containers can move in bond from Houston or the West Coast to Dallas and be cleared there. Clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network under the Ziem Logistics brand, to our procedures and with the data we prepare.
What export controls apply to semiconductors shipped from Dallas?
Many semiconductors, equipment and related technology are subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and some destinations or end users require an export licence. The export classification is the exporter's responsibility; we check the documentation and file the Electronic Export Information (EEI) through AES.
What does an importer need for clearance at DFW?
An importer of record number, a customs bond for most formal entries, a commercial invoice and packing list, and correct HTSUS classifications. Entries are filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through ACE. Complete documents help avoid holds.