Dresden, Germany
Customs clearance in Dresden
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Dresden. Customs clearance in Germany is handled by our own in-house customs team.
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 |
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.
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.
Documents we check before shipping
Commercial invoice, packing list, the transport document and, where needed, certificates of origin, licences or permits. We check that descriptions, values and HS codes are consistent across all documents before the goods move.
Frequently asked questions
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.