United States
Air freight, sea freight and customs in New York
JFK and Newark together form the largest air cargo gateway on the US East Coast.
Services in New York
- Air freight in New YorkAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in New YorkFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in New YorkImport 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 New York
- AirportJohn F. Kennedy
JFK - AirportNewark
EWR - SeaportPort of New York and New Jersey
New York's air cargo moves mainly through John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey, which together form the largest air cargo gateway on the US East Coast. JFK has extensive freighter and widebody belly capacity to Europe, Asia and Latin America; Newark is a major express and integrator location. LaGuardia plays almost no role for freight. By sea, the Port of New York and New Jersey, with its main container terminals at Port Newark and Elizabeth, is the largest container port on the East Coast and handles a large share of transatlantic trade.
From JFK, the Van Wyck Expressway and Belt Parkway connect to the regional highway network. In New Jersey, the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95), I-78 and I-80 link Newark airport and the port terminals with the large warehouse belt in central New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The port's ExpressRail facilities transfer containers to rail for the Midwest. Bridge and tunnel crossings into Manhattan restrict truck sizes and timing, so delivery planning matters.
Industries in New York and how we support them
The New York metro region imports and exports pharmaceuticals and medical products from the New Jersey pharma corridor, fashion and textiles for the Garment District, jewellery, watches, art and other high-value goods, plus consumer products for the dense regional market. Financial and media companies regularly need IT equipment and documents moved urgently. We support these flows with air freight under our own air waybills via JFK and EWR, sea freight FCL and LCL through Port Newark and Elizabeth, Next Flight Out for urgent replacements and On-Board Courier for valuables and samples. Customs clearance is prepared with the shipment data before arrival.
Operational logistics facts for New York
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | Freighter and widebody capacity to Europe, Asia and Latin America | Wide choice of direct flights for import and export |
| Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) | Express and general air cargo | Close to the New Jersey warehouse and pharma corridor |
| Port Newark and Elizabeth terminals | FCL/LCL containers, especially transatlantic | Largest container port on the US East Coast |
| New Jersey warehouse belt (I-95 / I-78) | Distribution for the Northeast | Short trucking distances from airport and port to distribution centres |
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
Do you route New York air freight via JFK or Newark?
Both. JFK offers the widest range of freighter and passenger widebody flights, while Newark (EWR) is often more practical for consignees in New Jersey. We choose the airport based on routing, capacity and the delivery address, and we issue our own air waybills for the shipment.
Can you deliver urgent shipments into Manhattan?
Yes. We arrange last-mile delivery in Manhattan and the other boroughs with partners who know the access rules for buildings, loading docks and bridges. Please give us the exact delivery address and any building requirements when booking, so the delivery can be planned properly.
How do you ship jewellery, art or other valuables via New York?
High-value goods can move as secured air freight with suitable carriers or with an On-Board Courier who carries the item door to door. We agree insurance, packaging and handover procedures with you in advance and keep the number of handling points low.
Who handles US customs clearance for my shipments into New York?
Clearance is done by a partner team in the Ziem network that works under the Ziem Logistics brand, to our procedures and with the shipment data we prepare. You deal only with Ziem Logistics. Entries are filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the ACE system.
What is required for sea freight imports through the Port of New York and New Jersey?
For ocean imports, the Importer Security Filing (ISF) must be submitted before the cargo is loaded abroad. You also need an importer of record number and, for most formal entries, a customs bond, plus a commercial invoice and packing list with correct HTSUS classifications.
Do pharmaceuticals arriving at JFK need additional approvals?
Yes. In addition to CBP, pharmaceuticals and many medical products are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which reviews the entry data and can hold shipments for examination. Complete product details, manufacturer information and correct FDA codes help avoid delays.