Germany
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport is one of Europe's largest cargo airports, with dedicated pharma and temperature-controlled handling facilities.
Services in Frankfurt
- Air freight in FrankfurtAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in FrankfurtFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in FrankfurtImport 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 Frankfurt
- AirportFrankfurt Airport
FRA - SeaportRhine ports, sea freight via Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is one of Europe's largest cargo airports and the home base of Lufthansa Cargo, with a large share of its tonnage carried on freighter aircraft. Cargo handling is concentrated in CargoCity South and CargoCity North, including facilities for pharmaceuticals, perishables and dangerous goods. Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN) in the Hunsrück is an alternative freighter airport. For sea freight, containers reach the Rhine-Main area by barge or rail from Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg or Bremerhaven, with inland terminals on the Main and the Rhine.
The Frankfurter Kreuz, where the A3 and A5 cross directly next to the airport, is one of Germany's busiest motorway junctions; the A66, A67 and A661 complete the network. The airport has its own long-distance rail station, and the region is linked to inland container terminals on the Main and the Rhine at Frankfurt, Mainz and Gustavsburg. Most road feeder services from other German airports run into Frankfurt to connect with long-haul freighters.
Industries in Frankfurt and how we support them
The Rhine-Main region combines pharma and life sciences, chemicals and a financial centre. Industrial parks such as Industriepark Höchst host chemical and pharmaceutical production, and nearby Mainz and Darmstadt add biotech and specialty chemicals. Typical air freight from Frankfurt includes temperature-sensitive medicines, laboratory samples, clinical trial material and high-value goods. Ziem Logistics books air freight under our own air waybills with direct airline access at FRA, arranges Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for urgent consignments, and our own customs team prepares import and export declarations, including tariff classification for chemical and pharmaceutical products.
Operational logistics facts for Frankfurt
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Frankfurt Airport CargoCity South | Pharma (GDP), dangerous goods, express freight | Direct access to long-haul freighter capacity from one of Europe's largest cargo airports |
| Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN) | Freighter operations outside the Rhine-Main core | Alternative when space at FRA is tight |
| Industriepark Höchst | Chemicals and pharmaceuticals | Pick-up close to the airport for export air freight |
| Inland terminals on Main and Rhine | Containers via Rotterdam, Antwerp and German North Sea ports | Sea freight delivered into the Rhine-Main region by barge or rail |
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
Can you ship temperature-controlled pharma via Frankfurt Airport?
Yes. FRA has dedicated pharma handling facilities, and we book airlines and routings that match the required temperature range. We agree packaging, data loggers and handover details with the shipper before pick-up and pass the temperature instructions on our own air waybill to the airline.
Do you issue your own air waybills for exports from Frankfurt?
Yes. In Germany Ziem Logistics books directly with the airlines and issues its own air waybills. That keeps the booking, documents and tracking in one hand from pick-up in the Rhine-Main area to delivery at destination.
How do you ship a part that has to leave Frankfurt today?
We first check Next Flight Out: the first available flight from FRA, with export customs prepared in parallel. If the part must be handed over personally or an interline transfer is risky, an On-Board Courier carries it as hand luggage. We confirm cut-off times and options with each request.
Can goods arriving at FRA be cleared at the airport?
Yes. Our own customs team files import declarations in ATLAS for freight arriving at Frankfurt Airport. When documents are sent before arrival, the declaration can be prepared in advance. Release depends on complete documents and any checks German Customs decides to carry out.
Do chemical or pharmaceutical imports need extra documents in Frankfurt?
Often, yes. Depending on the product, permits, safety data sheets or certificates of analysis may be required in addition to the invoice and packing list. We review the tariff classification and the applicable requirements before filing, so missing documents are identified early.
Do you handle export clearance for shipments flying out of Frankfurt?
Yes. We prepare the export declaration in ATLAS so the movement reference number is available when the freight is delivered to the airline's handling agent. For dual-use or controlled goods we check whether an export licence is required before booking.