United States
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Seattle
Seattle is a centre of aircraft manufacturing and a close gateway to Asia.
Services in Seattle
- Air freight in SeattleAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in SeattleFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in SeattleImport 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 Seattle
- AirportSeattle-Tacoma
SEA - SeaportNorthwest Seaport AllianceSeattle and Tacoma
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the main air cargo airport of the Pacific Northwest, with freighter and widebody connections across the Pacific to Asia and over the pole to Europe. King County International Airport, better known as Boeing Field (BFI), and Paine Field (PAE) in Everett are closely tied to aircraft manufacturing. By sea, the ports of Seattle and Tacoma operate their container business jointly as the Northwest Seaport Alliance, which is one of the main US gateways for trade with Asia and the main supply route to Alaska.
I-5 runs north-south through Seattle and Tacoma towards Vancouver and Portland, I-90 leads east across the Cascades, and I-405 and SR 167 serve the warehouse areas in the Kent Valley south of the city. BNSF and Union Pacific provide intermodal rail service from the Seattle and Tacoma terminals to the Midwest, so sea containers from Asia can continue inland without being trucked across the mountains.
Industries in Seattle and how we support them
The Seattle region is a centre of commercial aircraft manufacturing, with large assembly sites in Everett and Renton and a wide supplier base. It is also home to major e-commerce and software companies and to a seafood industry that processes and ships catches from Alaska and the North Pacific. We support these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via SEA, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for aircraft parts and AOG situations, temperature-controlled transport for seafood, and FCL and LCL sea freight through the Northwest Seaport Alliance. Customs data is prepared before the cargo arrives.
Operational logistics facts for Seattle
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) | Freighter and widebody service to Asia and Europe | Short great-circle routes across the North Pacific |
| Northwest Seaport Alliance (Seattle and Tacoma) | FCL/LCL containers to and from Asia, Alaska trade | Container gateway with intermodal rail to the Midwest |
| Paine Field (PAE) and Boeing Field (BFI) | Aircraft manufacturing and aerospace logistics | Close to assembly sites for urgent aircraft parts |
| Kent Valley warehouse district (SR 167 / I-405) | Distribution for the Pacific Northwest | Short trucking between airport, port and warehouses |
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 handle AOG and aircraft parts shipments via Seattle?
Yes. For aircraft on ground situations and production-critical aerospace parts, we book Next Flight Out under our own air waybills via SEA, file the customs data in advance and arrange direct delivery to the hangar or plant. An On-Board Courier is available for the most critical parts.
How do you ship fresh seafood from Seattle by air?
We book carriers with suitable perishables handling, agree packaging and temperature requirements with you and plan the handover close to departure. For exports, we check the health certificates and any import rules of the destination country before the shipment is booked.
Is Seattle a good routing for air freight from Asia to the Pacific Northwest?
Often, yes. Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) has direct freighter and passenger connections to major Asian cities. Where capacity is limited, we compare routings via other West Coast gateways with trucking to Seattle and book the best option for your timeline.
Who handles US customs clearance for shipments into Seattle?
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. You deal only with Ziem Logistics. Entries are filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through ACE.
Can containers from Tacoma be cleared further inland?
Yes. Containers can move in bond by rail from the Northwest Seaport Alliance terminals to an inland destination and be cleared there. Alternatively, clearance takes place at the port. We agree the option that fits your delivery plan before the vessel arrives.
What applies to aerospace parts imported via Seattle?
Aircraft parts are classified under the HTSUS like other goods, and certain civil aircraft parts may qualify for duty-free treatment if the conditions are met. Exports of some aerospace items fall under export control rules. Complete technical descriptions help with correct classification.