Germany
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Kiel
Kiel is a centre of shipbuilding and naval technology at the entrance of the Kiel Canal.
Services in Kiel
- Air freight in KielAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in KielFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in KielImport 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 Kiel
- AirportHamburg
HAM - SeaportPort of Kiel, Kiel Canal
Kiel has no airport with cargo services; its air gateway is Hamburg Airport (HAM), reached via the A7 and A215, with Frankfurt (FRA) used for freighter connections via road feeder. Kiel's own Port of Kiel is a major ferry and cruise port with regular ferry services to Norway, Sweden and Lithuania, and it lies at the eastern entrance of the Kiel Canal, the busiest artificial waterway in the world. Deep-sea containers move via Hamburg.
The A7 links Kiel with Hamburg and Denmark via the A215 and A210, and the A21 runs south towards Bad Segeberg. Ferry routes from Kiel include Oslo, Gothenburg and Klaipėda, carrying trailers and trucks as well as passengers. The Kiel Canal connects the North Sea and the Baltic Sea without the detour around Denmark.
Industries in Kiel and how we support them
Kiel is a centre of shipbuilding, naval and maritime technology. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems builds submarines in Kiel, and German Naval Yards Kiel builds naval and commercial vessels. Marine research and maritime suppliers complete the cluster. Freight includes ship parts, marine equipment and spare parts for vessels, often needed urgently at a port somewhere in the world. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for ship spare parts, air freight under our own air waybills via HAM or FRA, sea freight via Hamburg, and export clearance by our own customs team, including export control checks for naval equipment.
Operational logistics facts for Kiel
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Kiel | Ferry and trailer services to Norway, Sweden and Lithuania | Road-ferry option for Scandinavian and Baltic shipments |
| Kiel Canal | Shipping link between North Sea and Baltic | Shortcut for vessels avoiding the route around Denmark |
| Hamburg Airport (HAM) | Belly cargo | Nearest airport for Kiel air freight |
| Shipbuilding and naval cluster | Ship spare parts and marine equipment | OBC and NFO for vessels waiting in port |
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
Can you send ship spare parts from Kiel to a vessel in a foreign port?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out via Hamburg (HAM) or Frankfurt (FRA) with export customs prepared in parallel, or send an On-Board Courier who hand-carries smaller parts. Delivery to the ship is coordinated with the local ship agent.
Which airport do you use for Kiel shipments?
Most Kiel air freight goes via Hamburg (HAM). For heavier pieces or freighter routings we use the road feeder to Frankfurt (FRA). We compare options with each booking.
Do you collect in Kiel, Rendsburg and Neumünster?
Yes. We arrange pick-up in Kiel, Rendsburg, Neumünster and across Schleswig-Holstein through trusted road partners and deliver to the departure airport.
How are spare parts for ships in transit declared?
Supplies for vessels can be treated as ship stores or goods for ships under specific customs rules, depending on the situation. Our own customs team checks which procedure applies and prepares the export or transit documents.
Do naval equipment exports from Kiel need licences?
Military goods require an export licence, and many maritime components fall under dual-use rules. We check classification and licence requirements, including BAFA licences, before filing the export declaration.
Do ferry shipments from Kiel to Norway need customs documents?
Yes. Norway is not in the EU, so goods shipped by ferry to Oslo need an EU export declaration and Norwegian import clearance. We prepare the export side in ATLAS and coordinate the documents for the import.