Germany
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Kassel
Kassel sits at the centre of Germany's motorway network, with automotive-component and rail-technology plants.
Services in Kassel
- Air freight in KasselAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in KasselFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in KasselImport 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 Kassel
- AirportFrankfurt
FRA - AirportHannover
HAJ - SeaportSea freight via Hamburg and Bremerhaven
Kassel lies roughly halfway between Frankfurt and Hanover, so its air freight is routed either via Frankfurt Airport (FRA), with the widest freighter and long-haul choice, or via Hannover (HAJ) for smaller consignments; Kassel's own airport has no relevant cargo role. Sea freight for northern Hesse moves via Hamburg and Bremerhaven, with containers reaching the region by rail or truck. The central location in Germany makes Kassel a common distribution point for both air and sea imports.
Kassel sits on the A7 (Hamburg, Würzburg) and the A44 (Dortmund), with the A49 linking to Marburg and Giessen. The freight village (GVZ) Kassel bundles logistics companies close to the motorways, and Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe station connects the city with the high-speed rail network.
Industries in Kassel and how we support them
Kassel's industry centres on automotive components, rail technology and logistics. Volkswagen's Kassel plant in Baunatal produces transmissions and electric drive components, rail vehicles are built by Alstom in Kassel, and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann has defence production in the city; the potash and salt group K+S is headquartered here. Many distribution centres use the central location. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via FRA or HAJ, Next Flight Out for production parts, sea freight via the North Sea ports, and import and export clearance by our own customs team, including export control checks.
Operational logistics facts for Kassel
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Frankfurt Airport (FRA) | Freighter and long-haul capacity | Main air gateway for northern Hesse |
| GVZ Kassel | Distribution and logistics | Central location for nationwide delivery after clearance |
| Automotive components and rail technology | Transmissions, e-drive components and rail vehicle parts | NFO for production-critical parts |
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 Kassel shipments, Frankfurt or Hanover?
Frankfurt (FRA) is usually the better choice for long-haul and freighter shipments, while Hannover (HAJ) can suit smaller consignments. We compare both with each booking and confirm the cut-off times.
Can you ship rail vehicle parts from Kassel by air?
Yes, subject to dimensions and weight. Smaller parts travel on passenger or freighter flights, larger components may need freighter capacity or sea freight. We check dimensions and airline acceptance before booking.
Do you collect in Kassel, Baunatal and northern Hesse?
Yes. We arrange pick-up in Kassel, Baunatal, Göttingen and across northern Hesse through trusted road partners and deliver to Frankfurt or Hanover.
Do defence-related exports from Kassel need licences?
Yes. Military goods and many dual-use items require an export licence from BAFA, and some destinations are subject to sanctions. Our own customs team checks the classification and documents before filing the export declaration in ATLAS.
Can goods for a Kassel distribution centre be cleared at the arrival airport?
Yes. We file the import declaration in ATLAS at the arrival airport, for example Frankfurt, and deliver the cleared goods to the distribution centre. Release depends on complete documents.
Can automotive components imported for assembly use special procedures?
If imported components are processed and the products exported, inward processing can suspend duties. This requires an authorisation. We check whether the procedure fits.