United States
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Denver
Denver is a centre of the US space and aerospace industry.
Services in Denver
- Air freight in DenverAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in DenverFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in DenverImport 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 Denver
- AirportDenver International
DEN - SeaportInland rail ramps
Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the largest airports in the US by land area and a major hub for several airlines, with freighter operations and international widebody flights to Europe and Asia. It is the main air cargo airport between the Midwest and the West Coast. Denver has no seaport; ocean freight arrives by rail from the West Coast or Gulf Coast ports to intermodal terminals operated by BNSF and Union Pacific in the region.
I-25 (north-south along the Front Range) and I-70 (east-west across the Rockies) cross in Denver, with I-76 to the north-east and the E-470 toll road connecting the airport with the southern and northern suburbs. BNSF and Union Pacific provide rail and intermodal services. Mountain passes on I-70 can close in winter, which affects westbound road freight.
Industries in Denver and how we support them
The Denver region is a centre of the US space and aerospace industry, with satellite manufacturers, launch vehicle companies and aerospace suppliers around Littleton, Centennial and Boulder. It also hosts energy companies in oil and gas and renewables, including wind turbine component manufacturing elsewhere in Colorado. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via DEN, Next Flight Out for urgent components, On-Board Courier for sensitive space parts, and sea freight with rail delivery to Denver. For export-controlled space and defence items, we check the documentation with you before shipping.
Operational logistics facts for Denver
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Denver International Airport (DEN) | Freighter and international widebody flights | Main air cargo airport in the Mountain West |
| Front Range aerospace cluster | Satellites, launch vehicles and components | Specialised handling for sensitive space parts |
| BNSF and Union Pacific intermodal terminals | Rail containers from the West and Gulf Coasts | Inland delivery of sea freight |
| I-25 / I-70 junction | Truck distribution in the Mountain West | Central location for regional delivery |
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
Can you ship satellite components from Denver?
Yes. Sensitive space components often need special packaging, environmental controls and close supervision. We agree the requirements with you and book air freight under our own air waybills or use an On-Board Courier. Export control documentation must be in place before departure.
How does winter weather in Denver affect air freight?
Snowstorms between November and April can delay or cancel flights at Denver International (DEN). We monitor the weather for time-critical shipments, inform you about expected disruption and propose alternative routings or dates where needed.
Do you deliver to sites along the Front Range?
Yes. We arrange pick-up and delivery from Denver along the Front Range, including Boulder, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, with trusted road partners. Please share any site access requirements when booking.
Who handles customs clearance for imports into Denver?
Clearance is done by a partner team in the Ziem network 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.
What export controls apply to space components from Colorado?
Spacecraft and related items may fall under ITAR or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), depending on their classification. The exporter determines the classification and obtains any required licence; we file the Electronic Export Information (EEI) through AES with the correct references.
Can sea freight be cleared in Denver?
Yes. Containers can move in bond by rail from the port of arrival to Denver and be cleared there. We agree the clearance location with you before the vessel arrives so that the documents are ready on time.