Houston, United States
Air freight in Houston
Ziem Logistics books air freight to and from Houston via George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Houston 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 Houston
- AirportGeorge Bush Intercontinental
IAH - SeaportPort Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is Houston's main cargo airport, with freighter and widebody belly connections to Europe, Latin America and Asia. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) mainly serves domestic and regional flights. By sea, Port Houston and the private terminals along the Houston Ship Channel make the region one of the busiest US port areas by tonnage; the Barbours Cut and Bayport container terminals handle most of the container traffic, and the port is especially strong in breakbulk and project cargo.
Houston is served by I-10 (east-west), I-45 (to Dallas and Galveston) and I-69/US-59, with Beltway 8 and the Grand Parkway forming ring roads. Union Pacific and BNSF rail lines connect the port and petrochemical complexes with the rest of the US. The Ship Channel is lined with refineries and chemical plants, making Houston a centre for dangerous goods and oversized cargo handling.
Operational logistics facts for Houston
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) | Freighter and widebody connections | Direct international air freight for the energy sector |
| Port Houston (Barbours Cut and Bayport) | Containers, breakbulk and project cargo | One of the busiest US port areas by tonnage |
| Houston Ship Channel | Petrochemicals and dangerous goods | Direct access to refineries and chemical plants |
| Beltway 8 / I-10 / I-45 | Truck distribution across Texas | Fast road access to the port and industrial areas |
Industries in Houston and how we support them
Houston is the centre of the US energy industry, with oil and gas equipment manufacturers, oilfield service companies and a large petrochemical complex along the Ship Channel. The Texas Medical Center adds medical and research shipments. Energy companies frequently need urgent replacement parts for drilling rigs, refineries and offshore platforms worldwide. We support them with air freight under our own air waybills via IAH, sea freight including breakbulk through Port Houston, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for critical spare parts, and dangerous goods handling for chemicals. Export and import customs data is prepared in advance.
Urgent parts to and from Houston
When a production line or a project in the Houston area is waiting for a part, we book Next Flight Out via George Bush Intercontinental (IAH): 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.
Our own air waybills in the United States
We issue our own air waybills for shipments to and from the United States. We book directly with the airline, control the shipment data and can make changes without waiting for a third party.
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 send urgent oilfield parts from Houston worldwide?
Yes. For rig or refinery breakdowns, we book Next Flight Out from IAH under our own air waybills, prepare the export data in advance and coordinate delivery at destination. If the part must stay with a person, an On-Board Courier can carry it door to door.
How do you handle dangerous goods by air from Houston?
We check the classification, packaging and documentation with you, book carriers that accept the relevant dangerous goods classes and prepare the shipper's declaration. Some substances can only travel on cargo aircraft, which we take into account when choosing the routing.
Can oversized equipment be flown out of Houston?
Yes, within the limits of the available aircraft. We check dimensions and weight against freighter capacity and, where air freight is not possible, propose breakbulk sea freight through Port Houston instead.
How do I get a quote for air freight to or from Houston?
Send us the origin, destination, goods description, weight and dimensions. Our operations desk replies with a routing via George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and an itemised quote.