Germany
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Dresden
Dresden is the heart of Silicon Saxony, Europe's largest microelectronics cluster.
Services in Dresden
- Air freight in DresdenAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in DresdenFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in DresdenImport 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 Dresden
- AirportDresden Airport
DRS - AirportLeipzig/Halle
LEJ - SeaportSea freight via Hamburg
Dresden Airport (DRS) handles little air cargo, so most shipments from Dresden are trucked to Leipzig/Halle (LEJ), one of Europe's largest cargo hubs, which lies within the same state of Saxony. Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) are further options for specific lanes. Sea freight for Dresden moves via Hamburg, with containers reaching the city by rail or by barge on the Elbe to the Dresden inland port.
Dresden is linked by the A4 (Chemnitz, Erfurt, Görlitz and Poland), the A13 (Berlin) and the A17 (Prague). The A14 and A4 connect the city with Leipzig/Halle Airport. The Elbe links the Dresden port with Hamburg, and rail freight connects the region with the North Sea ports and Central Europe.
Industries in Dresden and how we support them
Dresden is the centre of Silicon Saxony, Europe's largest microelectronics cluster. Infineon, GlobalFoundries and Bosch operate semiconductor fabs in the city, and a new fab by the TSMC joint venture ESMC is under construction. Supplier companies, research institutes and the TU Dresden complete the cluster. Typical shipments include wafers, process chemicals, spare parts for production equipment and high-value electronic components. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via LEJ or FRA, On-Board Courier for sensitive components, Next Flight Out for fab spare parts, and customs clearance by our own customs team, including export control checks.
Operational logistics facts for Dresden
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) | Freighter and express capacity | Main air gateway for Dresden, within Saxony |
| Silicon Saxony cluster | Semiconductors, wafers and equipment parts | OBC and NFO when fab equipment is waiting for spare parts |
| Dresden inland port on the Elbe | Containers and heavy cargo by barge | Alternative to road for heavy equipment via Hamburg |
| Motorway A17 to Prague | Road freight to the Czech Republic | Direct link for cross-border supply chains |
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.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Dresden shipments usually fly from Leipzig/Halle?
Dresden Airport (DRS) has very limited cargo capacity. Leipzig/Halle (LEJ) offers extensive freighter and express operations and is easy to reach by motorway, so most Dresden air freight is trucked there. For some destinations Frankfurt (FRA) is the better choice.
Can you hand-carry wafers or sensitive components from Dresden?
Yes. An On-Board Courier can collect sensitive semiconductor components at the fab or supplier, keep them in personal custody throughout the journey and deliver them directly. Packaging and customs documents are agreed before departure.
How do you handle urgent spare parts for Dresden fabs?
For production equipment spare parts we offer Next Flight Out on the first available flight with customs pre-lodged, with delivery from the arrival airport to the fab. We agree delivery instructions with the site in advance.
Do semiconductor exports from Dresden need export licences?
Some semiconductors, manufacturing equipment and related technology fall under EU dual-use controls or specific restrictions for certain destinations. Our own customs team checks the classification and licence requirements before filing the export declaration in ATLAS.
Can process chemicals for Dresden fabs be imported by air?
Many process chemicals are dangerous goods, which require correct classification, packaging and airline acceptance. For import, safety data sheets and possibly permits are needed. We check both transport and customs requirements before booking.
Can you clear goods for Dresden at Leipzig/Halle?
Yes. We file the import declaration in ATLAS for freight arriving at LEJ and deliver the cleared goods to the Dresden address. Release depends on complete documents and any customs checks.