Germany
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe combines a strong IT and energy sector with a Rhine port and good road links to Frankfurt and Stuttgart.
Services in Karlsruhe
- Air freight in KarlsruheAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in KarlsruheFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in KarlsruheImport 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 Karlsruhe
- AirportKarlsruhe/Baden-Baden
FKB - AirportFrankfurt
FRA - AirportStuttgart
STR - SeaportRhine port Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (FKB), also known as Baden-Airpark, is a regional airport with limited cargo. Air freight from Karlsruhe is usually routed via Frankfurt (FRA) for freighter and long-haul capacity, or via Stuttgart (STR). Sea freight benefits from the Rhine port of Karlsruhe, one of Germany's larger inland ports, with container barge connections to Rotterdam and Antwerp. Strasbourg and the French Upper Rhine are also within easy reach by road.
The A5 (Frankfurt, Basel) and A8 (Stuttgart, Munich) meet at the Karlsruhe junction, and the A65 links the city with the Palatinate. The Rhine port Karlsruhe and its container terminal connect the region with the North Sea ports by barge and rail, and the MiRO refinery receives crude by pipeline.
Industries in Karlsruhe and how we support them
Karlsruhe combines IT, energy and engineering. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and many software and IT companies are based here, the energy group EnBW is headquartered in the city, and the MiRO refinery is Germany's largest. Engineering firms supply machinery and measurement technology. Shipments include IT hardware, measurement equipment, energy-sector spare parts and research equipment. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via FRA or STR, On-Board Courier for sensitive equipment, sea freight via the Rhine, and customs clearance by our own customs team, including temporary import of research equipment.
Operational logistics facts for Karlsruhe
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (FKB) | Regional airport | Local option for selected consignments |
| Rhine port Karlsruhe | Container barge links to Rotterdam and Antwerp | Sea freight delivered by Rhine barge |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) | Research equipment and samples | Temporary import procedures for scientific equipment |
| Junction A5 and A8 | Road access to Frankfurt and Stuttgart airports | Choice of two major air gateways |
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 Karlsruhe shipments fly from FKB, Frankfurt or Stuttgart?
Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (FKB) has limited cargo services, so most air freight goes via Frankfurt (FRA) or Stuttgart (STR). Frankfurt offers more freighter capacity, while Stuttgart can suit smaller consignments. We choose per shipment.
Can you ship sensitive research equipment from Karlsruhe?
Yes. We agree packaging and handling with the shipper and book routings that limit transfers. For very sensitive or valuable instruments, an On-Board Courier can keep them in personal custody throughout the journey.
Do you collect in Karlsruhe, Pforzheim and Baden-Baden?
Yes. We arrange pick-up in Karlsruhe, Pforzheim, Rastatt and Baden-Baden through trusted road partners and deliver the freight to the departure airport.
Can research equipment be imported temporarily to Karlsruhe?
Scientific equipment that will be re-exported can often be imported under temporary admission, with an ATA Carnet or a customs declaration. Our own customs team checks the conditions and documents the re-export.
How are energy-sector spare parts from outside the EU cleared?
We file the import declaration in ATLAS with the correct tariff classification, value and origin. For some equipment, additional certificates or export control checks at origin can apply, which we clarify before shipment.
Can goods arriving via the Rhine port Karlsruhe be cleared locally?
Goods arriving by barge from a seaport can move under a transit procedure and be cleared in Germany. We advise on the practical option and file the declaration.