Germany
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Munich
Bavaria is home to automotive, aerospace and medtech manufacturers whose spare parts and prototypes often travel by air.
Services in Munich
- Air freight in MunichAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in MunichFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in MunichImport 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 Munich
- AirportMunich Airport
MUC - AirportFrankfurt
FRAroad feeder - SeaportSea freight via Hamburg, Bremerhaven or Koper
Munich Airport (MUC), named after Franz Josef Strauss, is Bavaria's main airport and handles air cargo largely on long-haul passenger aircraft of Lufthansa and other carriers. For main-deck freighter capacity, shipments from Munich are often routed by road feeder to Frankfurt (FRA). Sea freight for Munich normally moves via Hamburg or Bremerhaven, or via the Adriatic port of Koper in Slovenia, which offers a shorter land leg to southern Germany for Asian cargo.
Munich is a hub of the motorway network: the A9 runs north towards Nuremberg and Berlin, the A8 links Stuttgart and Salzburg, the A92 serves the airport and Lower Bavaria, and the A99 rings the city. The combined-transport terminal at München-Riem connects the region with rail services to the North Sea ports and to Italy via the Brenner corridor.
Industries in Munich and how we support them
Munich and its catchment area host automotive manufacturers and suppliers, electronics and semiconductors, aerospace and medical technology. Development centres and plants need prototypes, tooling, test equipment and replacement parts at short notice, and many of these items are high value. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills from MUC or via Frankfurt, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for production-critical parts, sea freight via Hamburg, Bremerhaven or Koper, and customs clearance by our own customs team, including temporary import procedures for test equipment where applicable.
Operational logistics facts for Munich
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Munich Airport (MUC) | Belly cargo on long-haul passenger flights | Direct long-haul departures close to Bavarian shippers |
| Road feeder MUC to FRA | Freighter capacity for heavy or oversized pieces | Main-deck options without leaving the shipment file |
| Terminal München-Riem | Rail containers to North Sea ports and Italy | Sea freight with rail pre-carriage from southern Bavaria |
| Port of Koper (Slovenia) | Asian container traffic to southern Germany | Alternative sea route with a shorter land leg |
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 urgent shipments from Munich, MUC or Frankfurt?
For many destinations Munich Airport (MUC) offers direct long-haul passenger flights with belly capacity, which keeps the routing short. For heavy, oversized or dangerous goods requiring a freighter, Frankfurt (FRA) via road feeder is often the better choice. We compare both with every booking.
Can you send a prototype from a Munich development centre by On-Board Courier?
Yes. An On-Board Courier collects the item at the development centre, carries it as hand luggage and delivers it personally at destination. This is often used for confidential prototypes or parts where a production line is waiting. Customs documents are prepared before departure.
Do you collect air freight across Upper Bavaria?
Yes. We arrange pick-up in the Munich area and across Upper Bavaria, including the airport region around Freising and Erding, through trusted road partners, and deliver the freight to the airline's handling agent at MUC or to Frankfurt.
Can test equipment be imported temporarily to Munich without paying duty?
Depending on the goods and their use, temporary admission or an ATA Carnet may be possible. Our own customs team checks which procedure applies, prepares the declaration and documents the re-export, so duties are not charged where the conditions are met.
Do you clear imports arriving at Munich Airport?
Yes. We file import declarations in ATLAS for freight arriving at MUC. Clearance can be prepared before arrival when invoice, packing list and air waybill data are available. The importer needs an EORI number, and release depends on complete documents.
How are goods arriving via Koper cleared for Munich consignees?
Goods arriving in Koper enter the EU there. They can be moved under a transit procedure to southern Germany and cleared into free circulation in Germany, or cleared at the port. We advise on the most practical option for the shipment and file the German declaration.