United States
Air freight, sea freight and customs in San Diego
San Diego combines biotech and defence with cross-border manufacturing in Tijuana.
Services in San Diego
- Air freight in San DiegoAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in San DiegoFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in San DiegoImport 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 San Diego
- AirportSan Diego
SAN - AirportLos Angeles
LAX - SeaportPort of San Diego, road to MexicoTijuana
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is a single-runway airport close to downtown, with belly cargo on passenger flights and express operations but limited freighter capacity. Most international air freight for San Diego is therefore routed via Los Angeles International (LAX) and trucked south. By sea, the Port of San Diego handles refrigerated cargo, vehicles and breakbulk at the Tenth Avenue and National City marine terminals. Tijuana and the Mexican manufacturing belt lie directly across the border, with commercial truck traffic crossing at Otay Mesa.
I-5 runs along the coast north to Los Angeles and south to the San Ysidro border crossing, while I-805 and I-15 serve the inland areas. SR 905 connects to the Otay Mesa commercial port of entry. Trucking between San Diego and LAX is the standard link for international air freight, and the BNSF line connects San Diego with the national rail network.
Industries in San Diego and how we support them
San Diego has a large biotech and life sciences cluster around Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley, a strong defence sector with naval bases, shipbuilding and defence technology companies, and medical device manufacturers. Many companies run production in Tijuana under Mexico's maquiladora system. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via LAX or SAN, temperature-controlled transport for biotech samples, On-Board Courier for clinical materials, Next Flight Out for urgent defence and device parts, and cross-border road freight to and from Tijuana. Customs data is prepared before arrival.
Operational logistics facts for San Diego
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego International Airport (SAN) | Belly cargo and express operations | Air freight close to downtown and the biotech cluster |
| Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | Long-haul freighter and widebody capacity | Trucking south to San Diego for international cargo |
| Otay Mesa port of entry | Cross-border trucking to Tijuana | Direct link to maquiladora production in Mexico |
| Port of San Diego (Tenth Avenue and National City terminals) | Refrigerated cargo, vehicles and breakbulk | Specialised sea freight in Southern California |
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 fly San Diego shipments into SAN or LAX?
For most international cargo, we use Los Angeles (LAX) because of its larger freighter and widebody capacity, with trucking to San Diego. San Diego International (SAN) is used where suitable flights exist. We book under our own air waybills and compare options for each shipment.
Can you ship biotech samples from Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley?
Yes. We agree the temperature range and packaging with you, book carriers that accept dry ice or active containers and plan the handovers carefully. For irreplaceable samples, an On-Board Courier can carry the shipment door to door.
Can you collect from plants in Tijuana for air export via San Diego or Los Angeles?
Yes. We arrange cross-border trucking from Tijuana with partners familiar with the border procedures and connect the cargo to the most suitable departure airport. The export and import data is prepared in advance.
Who handles US customs for shipments into San Diego?
Clearance is done 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.
How does customs work for goods from maquiladoras in Tijuana?
Goods produced under Mexico's IMMEX programme are exported from Mexico and imported into the US at the border, usually at Otay Mesa. If they meet the USMCA rules of origin, they may qualify for preferential treatment. Correct origin documentation is essential.
What export rules apply to defence technology from San Diego?
Defence articles fall under ITAR, administered by the State Department, and dual-use items under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The exporter determines the classification and obtains any licence; we file the Electronic Export Information (EEI) through AES.