Münster, Germany
Customs clearance in Münster
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Münster. Customs clearance in Germany is handled by our own in-house customs team.
Industries in Münster and how we support them
Münster is the economic centre of the Münsterland, a region with a strong agricultural base, feed and food processing, agricultural trade and mid-sized manufacturers, including the agricultural trading cooperative Agravis, which is headquartered in the city. Insurance and services are also important employers. Freight includes food ingredients, agricultural machinery parts and components from regional manufacturers. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via DUS, CGN or FRA, sea freight via Rotterdam, Antwerp or the German ports, Next Flight Out for machinery parts, and import and export clearance by our own customs team, including documents for food and agricultural products.
Operational logistics facts for Münster
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Münster/Osnabrück Airport (FMO) | Regional airport | Local option for selected consignments |
| Dortmund-Ems Canal and Münster city port | Inland waterway freight | Barge connections to the Ruhr area and the North Sea |
| Agriculture and food cluster Münsterland | Food ingredients and agricultural machinery parts | Documents for food and agricultural goods checked before shipment |
Airports, seaports and connections in Münster
- AirportMünster/Osnabrück
FMO - AirportDüsseldorf
DUS - SeaportDortmund-Ems Canal, sea via Rotterdam
Münster/Osnabrück Airport (FMO) near Greven is the regional airport for Münsterland, but its cargo role is small. Most air freight from Münster is therefore trucked to Düsseldorf (DUS), Cologne Bonn (CGN) or Frankfurt (FRA), depending on size and destination. For sea freight, Münsterland shippers mostly use Rotterdam and Antwerp, which are closer than the German North Sea ports for much of the region, as well as Hamburg and Bremerhaven. The Münster city port on the Dortmund-Ems Canal handles inland waterway traffic.
The A1 (Ruhr area, Bremen) and the A43 (Wuppertal) meet near Münster, and the A30 to the Netherlands runs north of the region. The Dortmund-Ems Canal connects the Münster port with the Ruhr and the North Sea, and rail links run towards the Ruhr area, Bremen and Hamburg.
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
What documents do food imports into the Münsterland need?
In addition to the customs declaration, food and agricultural imports may need health or phytosanitary certificates and official controls at the border control post of entry. Our own customs team checks the requirements before shipment, as missing certificates delay release.
Can goods arriving in Rotterdam be cleared in Germany for Münster consignees?
Yes. Goods can move from Rotterdam under an EU transit procedure and be cleared in Germany, or be cleared at the port. We advise on the practical option and file the German declaration in ATLAS.
Do Münster exporters need an EORI number?
Yes. Every business exporting from or importing into the EU needs an EORI number, issued in Germany by German Customs. We use it on the export declaration in ATLAS together with the commercial invoice.