United States
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a leading location for pharma and cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
Services in Philadelphia
- Air freight in PhiladelphiaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in PhiladelphiaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in PhiladelphiaImport 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 Philadelphia
- AirportPhiladelphia
PHL - SeaportPort of Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is the main airport for the Philadelphia region, with transatlantic widebody passenger flights, freighter operations and a large express hub. For further international capacity, shippers in the region also use JFK and Newark, both reachable by road. By sea, the Port of Philadelphia on the Delaware River handles containers at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal and is known for refrigerated cargo such as fruit; the neighbouring Port of Wilmington in Delaware and the New Jersey terminals along the river complement it.
I-95 runs along the Delaware River past the airport and the port, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276), I-76 and I-476 connect Philadelphia with the warehouse areas of eastern Pennsylvania. The New Jersey Turnpike gives direct access to New York. CSX and Norfolk Southern provide rail connections, putting Philadelphia within easy trucking range of the main markets of the Northeast.
Industries in Philadelphia and how we support them
The Philadelphia region is a major pharmaceutical location, with large manufacturers and research sites in the suburbs and New Jersey, and has become a centre for cell and gene therapy development and manufacturing. Chemicals and specialty materials are also produced along the Delaware River. These products often need strict temperature control, sometimes at cryogenic levels. We support them with air freight under our own air waybills via PHL, JFK or EWR, On-Board Courier for patient-specific therapies and samples, Next Flight Out for urgent materials, and sea freight through the Delaware River ports. Customs and FDA data are prepared in advance.
Operational logistics facts for Philadelphia
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) | Transatlantic flights, express and freighter operations | Air freight close to the pharma corridor |
| Port of Philadelphia (Packer Avenue Marine Terminal) | Containers and refrigerated cargo | Delaware River port with focus on reefer cargo |
| Cell and gene therapy cluster | Cryogenic and temperature-controlled shipments | Specialised handling for time-critical therapies |
| I-95 / Pennsylvania Turnpike | Distribution to the Northeast | Road access to New York, Baltimore and Washington |
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
How do you ship cell and gene therapy products from Philadelphia?
These products often need cryogenic dry shippers or other specialised packaging. We agree the requirements with you, choose routings with as few transfers as possible and, where the therapy is patient-specific or irreplaceable, use an On-Board Courier who carries it door to door.
Do you use PHL or New York airports for Philadelphia pharma shipments?
Both. Philadelphia International (PHL) is closest, while JFK and Newark offer more direct international flights. We compare routing, transfers and capacity, then book under our own air waybills and arrange the road transport to the chosen airport.
Can you collect from pharma sites in the Philadelphia suburbs and New Jersey?
Yes. We arrange pick-up from manufacturing and research sites across south-eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, with temperature-controlled vehicles where needed. Site access requirements and documents are agreed in advance.
Who handles customs for pharma imports through Philadelphia?
Clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, working under the Ziem Logistics brand, to our procedures and with the data we prepare. Pharmaceutical imports are also subject to FDA review in addition to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Which FDA information is needed for drug imports into the US?
Typically the product name, the manufacturer and its registration details, the FDA product code and information on the approval or investigational status of the drug. Missing or inconsistent information can lead to FDA holds, so we check the data before the shipment departs.
Can chemicals be imported via the Port of Philadelphia?
Yes, provided the requirements are met. Chemical imports may need a certification under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and, if they are dangerous goods, the correct classification and documentation. We review this with you before shipping.