Cologne, Germany
Customs clearance in Cologne
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Cologne. Customs clearance in Germany is handled by our own in-house customs team.
Industries in Cologne and how we support them
The Cologne region hosts chemical parks and refineries along the Rhine, such as Chempark Leverkusen and Dormagen and the Shell Rhineland refinery, a Ford plant in Cologne-Niehl, and a strong media and service sector. Express logistics is a core part of the local economy. Typical shipments include chemical products, automotive parts and electronics. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via CGN, Next Flight Out on the first available flight, On-Board Courier, sea freight via Rotterdam and Antwerp with Rhine pre-carriage, and import and export clearance by our own customs team.
Operational logistics facts for Cologne
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) | Express, freighter and night-flight operations | Late hand-over options for time-critical freight |
| Cologne Eifeltor rail terminal | Combined road-rail transport | Rail connections across Europe for continental freight |
| HGK Rhine ports Niehl and Godorf | Containers to and from Rotterdam and Antwerp | Sea freight delivered by barge close to Cologne consignees |
| Chempark Leverkusen and Dormagen | Chemicals and plastics | Classification and documents for chemical shipments prepared before departure |
Airports, seaports and connections in Cologne
- AirportCologne Bonn Airport
CGN - SeaportRhine ports, sea freight via Rotterdam and Antwerp
Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is one of Germany's main cargo airports and a major express hub; UPS runs its European air hub there, and other express carriers and freighter operators also use the airport, including night-flight operations. This makes CGN useful for time-critical shipments and freighter capacity in western Germany. Düsseldorf (DUS) is the alternative for belly cargo. For sea freight, Cologne relies on the Rhine: containers come from Rotterdam and Antwerp by barge or rail to terminals in Cologne-Niehl and Cologne-Godorf.
The Kölner Autobahnring formed by the A1, A3 and A4 connects Cologne with the Ruhr area, Frankfurt, Aachen and Belgium. The Cologne Eifeltor terminal is one of Germany's major rail combined-transport hubs, and the Rhine ports operated by HGK in Niehl and Godorf link the region with the Benelux seaports. CGN has direct motorway access via the A59.
In-house customs team
Import and export entries for Germany are prepared and filed by our in-house customs team. The same team checks the documents before the goods leave origin, so most open points are settled before the goods arrive.
Customs clearance in Germany
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in Germany is handled by our own in-house customs team.
For air freight to and from Germany we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Germany need an EORI number issued by German Customs.
Avoiding delays at customs
Most customs delays come from inconsistent documents: different values on invoice and packing list, missing HS codes or unclear goods descriptions. We review the documents against each other before departure, so the declaration in Germany can be filed without queries.
Frequently asked questions
Can you clear imports arriving at Cologne Bonn Airport?
Yes. Our own customs team files import declarations in ATLAS for freight arriving at CGN. If documents are available before arrival, the declaration can be prepared in advance. The importer needs an EORI number, and release depends on complete documents and any customs checks.
How are dangerous goods from Cologne chemical parks handled for export?
Dangerous goods require correct UN classification, packaging and a shipper's declaration for air freight. We check these details before booking, select airlines that accept the class, and prepare the export declaration in ATLAS, including any export control checks.
Can containers from Rotterdam be cleared in Cologne?
Yes. Containers can travel from Rotterdam under an EU transit procedure by barge or rail and be cleared in Germany. We advise whether transit or clearance at the port is more practical for the shipment and file the German import declaration.