Wolfsburg, Germany
Customs clearance in Wolfsburg
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Wolfsburg. Customs clearance in Germany is handled by our own in-house customs team.
Industries in Wolfsburg and how we support them
Wolfsburg is home to Volkswagen's headquarters and one of the largest car factories in the world, surrounded by supplier parks and engineering service providers in the Wolfsburg-Braunschweig region. Production depends on precise parts flows, and development centres need prototypes and test parts at short notice. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for production-critical parts, air freight under our own air waybills via HAJ, LEJ or FRA, sea freight via Hamburg and Bremerhaven, and import and export clearance by our own customs team.
Operational logistics facts for Wolfsburg
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Hannover Airport (HAJ) | Regional air gateway | Nearest airport for Wolfsburg air freight |
| Mittelland Canal port Fallersleben | Inland waterway freight | Barge connections towards the North Sea ports |
| Wolfsburg-Braunschweig automotive region | Production parts, prototypes and test parts | NFO and OBC when production schedules are at risk |
| Road feeder to FRA and LEJ | Freighter capacity | Long-haul options for heavier parts |
Airports, seaports and connections in Wolfsburg
- AirportHannover
HAJ - AirportBerlin Brandenburg
BER - SeaportSea freight via Hamburg and Bremerhaven
Wolfsburg has no cargo airport of its own. The nearest air gateway is Hannover Airport (HAJ), reached via the A39 and A2, while Berlin Brandenburg (BER) and Leipzig/Halle (LEJ) are alternatives, and Frankfurt (FRA) offers the widest freighter choice. Sea freight for Wolfsburg moves via Hamburg and Bremerhaven, and the city has a port on the Mittelland Canal at Fallersleben.
The A39 links Wolfsburg with Braunschweig and the A2 (Hanover, Berlin), and the Mittelland Canal runs directly past the Volkswagen plant. Rail links connect the plant and supplier parks with the North Sea ports and other Volkswagen sites in Germany and Europe.
Clearance by our own team in Germany
In Germany our own customs team files the declarations. Questions about classification, valuation or missing documents are answered directly by the people who prepare the entry, without a third party in between.
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
How are automotive parts from outside the EU cleared for Wolfsburg?
Our own customs team files the import declaration in ATLAS with the correct tariff classification, value and origin. If a free trade agreement applies and proof of origin is available, a reduced duty rate can be used.
Can test vehicles or prototypes be exported temporarily from Wolfsburg?
Yes, depending on destination, temporary export with a customs declaration or an ATA Carnet may be possible. We prepare the export and the documents needed for duty-free re-import where the conditions are met.
Do you need an EORI number to import parts for a Wolfsburg supplier?
Yes. Every importer in the EU needs an EORI number. In Germany it is issued by German Customs. We use it on the import declaration together with invoice, packing list and transport document.