Switzerland
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Basel
Basel is a global pharma centre, and its EuroAirport sits on French soil with a Swiss customs sector. The correct customs procedure matters here.
Services in Basel
- Air freight in BaselAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in BaselFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in BaselImport 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 Basel
- AirportEuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse
BSL - AirportZurich
ZRH - SeaportSwiss Rhine ports in Basel
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) lies on French soil but has a Swiss customs sector connected to Basel by a dedicated customs road, so goods can be cleared for Switzerland or the EU depending on which sector they use. Zurich (ZRH) offers more long-haul belly capacity. The Swiss Rhine ports in Basel-Kleinhüningen, Birsfelden and Muttenz are Switzerland's gateway for sea freight, with barges and rail connecting them with Rotterdam and Antwerp.
Basel lies at the junction of Switzerland, Germany and France, connected to the Swiss A2 and A3 motorways and to the German A5 and French A35. The Swiss Rhine ports link Basel with the North Sea by barge, and Basel's rail yards connect Rhine traffic with the Swiss rail network and the Gotthard corridor.
Industries in Basel and how we support them
Basel is a global centre of pharma and life sciences: Novartis and Roche are headquartered here, alongside Lonza, Syngenta and many biotech and chemical companies. Shipments include temperature-sensitive medicines, active ingredients, clinical trial material and chemicals. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight through our airline network via BSL or ZRH, temperature-controlled routings, On-Board Courier for clinical material, sea freight via the Rhine ports, and customs clearance by our own customs team in Switzerland, including the correct procedure for the EuroAirport's Swiss sector.
Operational logistics facts for Basel
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse (BSL), Swiss sector | Air freight with Swiss customs clearance | Swiss clearance close to the Basel pharma cluster |
| Swiss Rhine ports Basel | Containers by barge from Rotterdam and Antwerp | Sea freight delivered directly into Switzerland |
| Pharma and life sciences cluster | Medicines, active ingredients and clinical trial material | Temperature-controlled routings and OBC |
Customs clearance in Switzerland
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in Switzerland is handled by our own in-house customs team.
Air freight to and from Switzerland is booked through our carrier network.
Importers in Switzerland need a Swiss business identification number (UID) and, for VAT, registration with the Federal Tax Administration where applicable.
Frequently asked questions
Do you use EuroAirport or Zurich for Basel pharma shipments?
It depends on destination and capacity. EuroAirport (BSL) is close to the Basel pharma cluster, while Zurich (ZRH) offers a wider long-haul network. For freighter routings we may use Frankfurt. We compare options with each booking.
Can you ship clinical trial material from Basel by On-Board Courier?
Yes. An On-Board Courier keeps the material in personal custody and delivers it to the study site, with temperature requirements agreed in advance. Customs documents are prepared before departure.
Do you collect in Basel, Muttenz and Pratteln?
Yes. We arrange pick-up across Basel and the Basel-Landschaft area, including Muttenz, Pratteln and Allschwil, through trusted road partners and deliver to BSL or ZRH.
How does customs work at EuroAirport's Swiss sector?
Freight handled in the Swiss sector is cleared by Swiss customs and moves to Basel via the customs road without entering France. Freight in the French sector is cleared under EU rules. Our own customs team makes sure the shipment is routed and declared in the right sector.
What documents do pharma imports into Basel need?
Besides invoice, packing list and air waybill, medicines may need authorisations from Swissmedic or other permits. We check the requirements with the importer before filing the declaration in Passar.
Can goods move from Germany to Basel under transit?
Yes. Switzerland is part of the common transit procedure, so goods can move under transit from an EU port or airport to Basel and be cleared there. We prepare the transit and Swiss import declaration.