Germany
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf sits in the Rhine-Ruhr region, close to Duisburg, the world's largest inland port, and to the Benelux seaports.
Services in Düsseldorf
- Air freight in DüsseldorfAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in DüsseldorfFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in DüsseldorfImport 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 Düsseldorf
- AirportDüsseldorf Airport
DUS - AirportCologne Bonn
CGN - SeaportRhine ports (Duisburg), sea freight via Rotterdam and Antwerp
Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is North Rhine-Westphalia's largest passenger airport and carries air cargo on passenger flights, including long-haul services. For freighter capacity, Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is a short drive south. The city lies in the Rhine-Ruhr region next to Duisburg, the world's largest inland port, and close to the seaports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, which most Düsseldorf importers use for container traffic, with barges and trains moving containers up the Rhine.
Düsseldorf is linked by the A3 (Cologne, Frankfurt, Netherlands), A44, A46, A52 and A57, giving direct road access to the Ruhr area, the Lower Rhine and the Benelux. Inland container terminals at Düsseldorf and Neuss on the Rhine, together with Duisburg's terminals, connect the region with the North Sea ports by barge and rail.
Industries in Düsseldorf and how we support them
The Düsseldorf region combines chemicals, steel processing, machinery and consumer goods; large chemical sites are located in nearby Leverkusen, Dormagen and Krefeld, and Düsseldorf hosts the headquarters of several international groups. The city is also home to one of Europe's largest Japanese business communities, with many Japanese companies running their European headquarters there. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via DUS or CGN, sea freight via Rotterdam and Antwerp, Next Flight Out for spare parts, and import and export clearance by our own customs team, including classification of chemicals and machinery.
Operational logistics facts for Düsseldorf
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) | Belly cargo on passenger and long-haul flights | Departures close to shippers in the Rhine-Ruhr area |
| Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) | Freighter and express operations | Freighter capacity a short drive from Düsseldorf |
| Rhine terminals Düsseldorf, Neuss and Duisburg | Container barge and rail links to Rotterdam and Antwerp | Sea freight delivered into the region by inland waterway |
| Japanese business community | Electronics, machinery and trading companies | Shipments between Japan and European distribution handled in one file |
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
Do you use DUS or Cologne Bonn for urgent shipments from Düsseldorf?
Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) works well for consignments that fit passenger aircraft. For heavier pieces or dangerous goods requiring a freighter, Cologne Bonn (CGN) or Frankfurt (FRA) are usually used. We check capacity and routing with every booking and confirm cut-off times.
Can you handle air freight between Japan and Düsseldorf?
Yes. We book air freight between Japan and the Rhine-Ruhr area under our own air waybills on the German side, either via DUS or via a freighter gateway such as Frankfurt, and arrange delivery to the consignee's address.
Do you pick up in Neuss, Krefeld and the wider Lower Rhine area?
Yes. We arrange pick-up across Düsseldorf, Neuss, Krefeld, Mönchengladbach and the Lower Rhine through trusted road partners and deliver to the departure airport chosen for the shipment.
Can containers for Düsseldorf be cleared after arriving by Rhine barge?
Yes. Containers can move from Rotterdam or Antwerp under an EU transit procedure and be cleared in Germany, or be cleared at the port of entry. Our own customs team advises on the practical option and files the German import declaration in ATLAS.
Which documents are needed for chemical imports into the Düsseldorf region?
Besides invoice, packing list and transport document, chemical imports may need safety data sheets and, depending on the substance, permits or registrations. We review the tariff classification and requirements before filing, so the importer can provide missing documents in time.
Do you handle export clearance for machinery from North Rhine-Westphalia?
Yes. We prepare the export declaration in ATLAS and check whether goods fall under export control rules, for example dual-use regulations. Correct classification and complete documents are the basis for a smooth export.