Germany
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Hanover
Hanover is home to commercial-vehicle and automotive-supplier plants and one of the world's largest trade fair grounds.
Services in Hanover
- Air freight in HanoverAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in HanoverFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in HanoverImport 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 Hanover
- AirportHannover Airport
HAJ - SeaportSea freight via Hamburg and Bremerhaven
Hannover Airport (HAJ) handles air cargo on passenger flights and trucked services and serves as a regional collection point. For long-haul freighter capacity, shipments from Hanover are usually trucked to Frankfurt (FRA), Leipzig/Halle (LEJ) or Hamburg (HAM). Sea freight for Hanover moves through Hamburg and Bremerhaven, and Hanover's own inland ports on the Mittelland Canal handle containers and bulk goods.
Hanover lies at the crossing of the A2 (Ruhr, Berlin) and A7 (Hamburg, Kassel, Würzburg), two of Germany's main freight corridors, with the A352 linking towards the airport. The Mittelland Canal connects the city's inland ports with the Rhine and the Elbe, and rail links run to Hamburg and Bremerhaven.
Industries in Hanover and how we support them
Hanover is a centre for commercial vehicles, tyres, automotive supply and trade fairs. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles builds vans in Hanover-Stöcken, and Continental, a tyre and automotive group, is headquartered in the city. The Hannover exhibition grounds host Hannover Messe, one of the world's largest industrial trade fairs. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for urgent parts, sea freight via Hamburg and Bremerhaven, and customs clearance by our own customs team, including temporary import of trade fair exhibits.
Operational logistics facts for Hanover
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Hannover Airport (HAJ) | Belly cargo and trucked air freight | Regional hand-over point for Lower Saxony shippers |
| Motorway crossing A2 and A7 | North-south and east-west freight corridors | Road feeder access to FRA, LEJ and HAM |
| Hannover exhibition grounds | Trade fair exhibits and stand material | Temporary import and re-export handled in one file |
| Mittelland Canal ports | Containers and bulk goods by inland waterway | Barge links to Hamburg and the Rhine |
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 airport do you use for Hanover air freight, HAJ or Frankfurt?
Smaller consignments can be handed over at Hannover Airport (HAJ). For heavier pieces or destinations requiring a freighter, we truck the freight to Frankfurt (FRA), Leipzig/Halle (LEJ) or Hamburg (HAM). We compare options with each booking.
Can you ship trade fair exhibits to and from Hannover Messe?
Yes. We arrange air or sea freight for exhibits and stand material, delivery to the exhibition grounds and the return shipment after the fair. Customs procedures for temporary import are prepared in advance.
Do you collect in Hildesheim, Celle and the Hanover region?
Yes. We arrange pick-up across the Hanover region, including Hildesheim, Celle and Peine, through trusted road partners, and deliver the freight to HAJ or by road feeder to the departure gateway chosen for the shipment.
How are exhibits from outside the EU cleared for a Hanover trade fair?
Exhibits that will be re-exported can usually be imported under temporary admission, either with an ATA Carnet or a customs declaration with security. Our own customs team prepares the procedure and documents the re-export, so duties are not charged where the conditions are met.
What if exhibits are sold at the fair instead of returned?
Goods sold during the fair must be cleared into free circulation, with import duties and VAT due. We file the import declaration and close the temporary admission procedure for these items.
Can you clear tyre or automotive part imports for Hanover consignees?
Yes. We file the import declaration in ATLAS with the correct tariff classification. For some products, anti-dumping duties or proof of origin can affect the duty rate, which we check before filing.