Frankfurt, Germany
Sea freight in Frankfurt
We book FCL and LCL sea freight for shippers and consignees in Frankfurt, via Rhine ports, sea freight via Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam. Pre-carriage, on-carriage by road or rail and the customs entries are planned together with the ocean booking.
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.
FCL and LCL via Rhine ports, sea freight via Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam
Full containers are booked directly with the shipping line; for smaller volumes we use LCL consolidation services. Pre-carriage from Frankfurt to Rhine ports, sea freight via Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, or on-carriage after arrival, is arranged by road or rail as part of the same booking.
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
Which port is used for sea freight to and from Frankfurt?
Usually Rhine ports, sea freight via Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam. Depending on the shipping line and the destination, another port can be faster or more economical; we compare the options when quoting.