Frankfurt, Germany
Air freight in Frankfurt
Ziem Logistics books air freight to and from Frankfurt via Frankfurt Airport (FRA). We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Frankfurt area and prepare the customs entries before the cargo flies. For air freight to and from Germany we issue our own air waybills.
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.
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 |
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.
Time-critical air freight in Frankfurt
For time-critical shipments we compare two options: Next Flight Out via Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on the first suitable flight, or an On-Board Courier who hand-carries the goods to the Frankfurt area. In both cases the customs entries are prepared in advance.
Booked directly with the airline
For Germany we issue the air waybill ourselves. The booking, the shipment data and the advance cargo information come from one desk, which reduces handovers and keeps the documents consistent.
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.
How do I get a quote for air freight to or from Frankfurt?
Send us the origin, destination, goods description, weight and dimensions. Our operations desk replies with a routing via Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and an itemised quote.