Basel, Switzerland
Air freight in Basel
Ziem Logistics books air freight to and from Basel via EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse (BSL). We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Basel area and prepare the customs entries before the cargo flies. Air freight to and from Switzerland is booked through our carrier 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.
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 |
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.
Urgent parts to and from Basel
When a production line or a project in the Basel area is waiting for a part, we book Next Flight Out via EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse (BSL): the shipment goes on the first suitable flight, with the customs data prepared before departure.
For items that cannot wait for regular cargo handling, an On-Board Courier carries the shipment as hand luggage and hands it over in person.
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 do I get a quote for air freight to or from Basel?
Send us the origin, destination, goods description, weight and dimensions. Our operations desk replies with a routing via EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse (BSL) and an itemised quote.