Germany
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Mannheim
The Rhine-Neckar region around Mannheim and Ludwigshafen is one of Europe's largest chemical sites, under an hour from Frankfurt Airport.
Services in Mannheim
- Air freight in MannheimAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in MannheimFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in MannheimImport 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 Mannheim
- AirportFrankfurt
FRA - SeaportRhine ports Mannheim and Ludwigshafen
Mannheim's main air gateway is Frankfurt Airport (FRA), reached via the A6 and A67 or the A5, which gives Rhine-Neckar shippers direct access to one of Europe's largest cargo airports. Mannheim City Airport has no relevant cargo role. Sea freight benefits from the ports of Mannheim and Ludwigshafen on the Rhine, among the largest inland ports in Germany, with container barge and rail connections to Rotterdam and Antwerp.
The A6 (Saarbrücken, Heilbronn, Nuremberg), A5 (Frankfurt, Karlsruhe), A61 and A65 connect the Rhine-Neckar region. Mannheim has one of Germany's largest marshalling yards, and the container terminals in the Mannheim and Ludwigshafen ports link the region with the Benelux seaports by barge and rail.
Industries in Mannheim and how we support them
The Rhine-Neckar region around Mannheim and Ludwigshafen is one of Europe's largest chemical locations, anchored by BASF's Ludwigshafen site. Mannheim adds machinery, electrical equipment and diagnostics: Roche Diagnostics, John Deere and ABB have major sites in the city. Shipments include chemicals and dangerous goods, diagnostics, tractors and spare parts. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via FRA, sea freight via Rotterdam and Antwerp with Rhine pre-carriage, Next Flight Out for spare parts, and import and export clearance by our own customs team, including dangerous goods documentation.
Operational logistics facts for Mannheim
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Frankfurt Airport (FRA) | Freighter and belly capacity | Main air gateway close to the Rhine-Neckar region |
| Ports of Mannheim and Ludwigshafen | Container barge and rail links to Rotterdam and Antwerp | Sea freight delivered by Rhine barge |
| Chemical cluster Ludwigshafen | Chemicals and dangerous goods | DG classification and documents checked before booking |
| Mannheim marshalling yard | Rail freight hub | Rail connections across Germany and Europe |
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 Mannheim air shipments always go via Frankfurt?
In most cases yes, because Frankfurt (FRA) offers the widest choice of freighter and passenger flights close to the Rhine-Neckar region. For specific lanes another gateway such as Stuttgart may be suitable. We decide per shipment.
Can you fly dangerous goods from the Ludwigshafen chemical cluster?
Yes, provided the goods are permitted for air transport. We check the UN number, packaging group, quantity and shipper's declaration, book airlines that accept the class and issue our own air waybill.
Do you collect in Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen and the Palatinate?
Yes. We arrange pick-up across the Rhine-Neckar region, including Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Worms and Speyer, through trusted road partners and deliver to Frankfurt Airport.
Can containers for Mannheim be cleared after arrival by barge?
Yes. Containers can travel from Rotterdam or Antwerp under an EU transit procedure and be cleared in Germany. Our own customs team advises whether transit or clearance at the port is more practical and files the import declaration in ATLAS.
What documents do chemical imports to Ludwigshafen need?
Besides invoice, packing list and transport document, safety data sheets and, depending on the substance, permits or registrations may be required. We check the tariff classification and requirements before filing.
Do you handle export clearance for agricultural machinery from Mannheim?
Yes. We prepare the export declaration in ATLAS and the documents the consignee needs, such as proof of origin where a free trade agreement applies. For large machines, sea freight is usually the right mode.