United States
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Louisville
Louisville is home to one of the world's largest express air hubs, with late cut-offs for overnight shipments.
Services in Louisville
- Air freight in LouisvilleAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in LouisvilleFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in LouisvilleImport 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 Louisville
- AirportLouisville
SDF - SeaportInland rail ramps
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is home to UPS Worldport, the global air hub of UPS and one of the largest express air hubs in the world. As a result, Louisville is one of the busiest cargo airports in the United States, with extensive express and freighter connections, while general freighter service is more limited. Louisville has no seaport for ocean containers; sea freight arrives by rail from East Coast ports, and the Ohio River provides barge connections for bulk goods.
I-64, I-65 and I-71 meet in Louisville, and the I-264 and I-265 ring roads connect the airport with the industrial areas and distribution centres around the city. I-65 links Louisville with Indianapolis to the north and Nashville to the south. Rail lines and the Ohio River complete the transport network.
Industries in Louisville and how we support them
Louisville combines express logistics with automotive manufacturing, including large truck and SUV assembly plants, a major home appliance manufacturing site and a significant healthcare sector with several insurance and health company headquarters. Kentucky's bourbon distilleries ship their products worldwide, and further automotive plants are located within a short drive of Louisville. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via SDF or other hubs, Next Flight Out for production-critical parts, On-Board Courier for samples and tooling, and sea freight with inland delivery. Export and import data is prepared in advance.
Operational logistics facts for Louisville
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) | Express hub and freighter connections | Express capacity for urgent shipments |
| Louisville automotive plants | Truck and SUV assembly, supplier parts | Support for just-in-time automotive supply chains |
| Kentucky bourbon distilleries | Spirits exports by sea and air | Export documentation for alcoholic beverages |
| I-64 / I-65 / I-71 junction | Truck distribution across the Midwest and South | Central road access to many US markets |
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 use Louisville for urgent international shipments?
Yes. Louisville (SDF) has extensive express and freighter connections. For general cargo that needs specific routings, we also compare options via Chicago, Cincinnati or Atlanta with trucking to Louisville. We book under our own air waybills and confirm cut-off times with every booking.
Do you handle urgent parts for automotive plants around Louisville?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out to the most suitable airport, file the customs data before arrival and arrange direct delivery to the plant. For critical components, an On-Board Courier can carry the parts door to door.
Can bourbon be shipped from Kentucky by air?
Yes, though most spirits exports travel by sea for cost reasons. Air freight is used for samples, launches and urgent orders. Spirits above certain alcohol strengths are dangerous goods in air transport, which we take into account in the booking and packaging.
Who handles customs for imports into Louisville?
Clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, working under the Ziem Logistics brand, to our procedures and with the shipment data we prepare. Entries are filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and you deal only with Ziem Logistics.
What documents are needed to export bourbon from Kentucky?
Typically a commercial invoice, packing list and, depending on the destination, a certificate of origin and health or analysis certificates. The destination country may have its own labelling and registration rules. We check the requirements with you before shipping.
Can goods from the Louisville express hub be cleared quickly?
Clearance speed depends mainly on complete and correct shipment data. We submit the entry data in advance so that U.S. Customs and Border Protection can review it before the cargo arrives. Goods regulated by other agencies may need additional review.