Kassel, Germany
Customs clearance in Kassel
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Kassel. Customs clearance in Germany is handled by our own in-house customs team.
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 |
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.
In-house customs team
Import and export entries for Germany are prepared and filed by our in-house customs team. The same team checks the documents before the goods leave origin, so most open points are settled before the goods arrive.
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.
Avoiding delays at customs
Most customs delays come from inconsistent documents: different values on invoice and packing list, missing HS codes or unclear goods descriptions. We review the documents against each other before departure, so the declaration in Germany can be filed without queries.
Frequently asked questions
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.