Lausanne, Switzerland
Sea freight in Lausanne
We book FCL and LCL sea freight for shippers and consignees in Lausanne, via Sea freight via Marseille or Genoa. Pre-carriage, on-carriage by road or rail and the customs entries are planned together with the ocean booking.
Airports, seaports and connections in Lausanne
- AirportGeneva
GVA - SeaportSea freight via Marseille or Genoa
Geneva Airport (GVA) is the main air gateway for Lausanne and the Lake Geneva region, with belly cargo on passenger flights; Zurich (ZRH) offers a wider long-haul network for destinations that Geneva does not serve. Sea freight for Lausanne usually comes via Marseille or Genoa in the Mediterranean, or via Rotterdam and the Swiss Rhine ports, with onward transport by road or rail along the lake.
Lausanne is linked by the A1 (Geneva, Bern) and the A9 (Valais, Simplon), which continues towards Italy. The rail line along Lake Geneva connects Lausanne with Geneva Airport, and rail freight links the region with the Simplon route and the rest of Switzerland.
Operational logistics facts for Lausanne
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva Airport (GVA) | Belly cargo | Main air gateway for the Lake Geneva region |
| EPFL and research cluster | Research equipment and samples | Temporary import procedures for scientific equipment |
| Food industry around Vevey | Food ingredients and products | Documents for food imports checked before shipment |
Industries in Lausanne and how we support them
The Lake Geneva region around Lausanne combines global food companies with medtech and research. Nestlé is headquartered in nearby Vevey, Logitech is based in Lausanne, and the EPFL university and many spin-offs drive research and medtech. Philip Morris International runs operations in the city. Freight includes food ingredients, electronics, research equipment and medical devices. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight through our airline network via GVA or ZRH, On-Board Courier for research samples, sea freight via Mediterranean or Rhine ports, and customs clearance by our own customs team in Switzerland.
FCL and LCL via Sea freight via Marseille or Genoa
Full containers are booked directly with the shipping line; for smaller volumes we use LCL consolidation services. Pre-carriage from Lausanne to Sea freight via Marseille or Genoa, or on-carriage after arrival, is arranged by road or rail as part of the same booking.
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
Which port is used for sea freight to and from Lausanne?
Usually Sea freight via Marseille or Genoa. Depending on the shipping line and the destination, another port can be faster or more economical; we compare the options when quoting.