Zurich, Switzerland
Sea freight in Zurich
We book FCL and LCL sea freight for shippers and consignees in Zurich, via Sea freight via Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg, Rhine barge to Basel. Pre-carriage, on-carriage by road or rail and the customs entries are planned together with the ocean booking.
Airports, seaports and connections in Zurich
- AirportZurich Airport
ZRH - SeaportSea freight via Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg, Rhine barge to Basel
Zurich Airport (ZRH) handles most of Switzerland's air cargo, much of it in the bellies of long-haul passenger aircraft operated by Swiss International Air Lines and other carriers, with Swiss WorldCargo as the home carrier's cargo division. Main-deck freighter capacity in Switzerland is limited, so some heavy shipments are trucked to Frankfurt (FRA) or other European freighter hubs. Sea freight for Zurich arrives via Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg, often with Rhine barge or rail transport to Basel and onward by road or rail.
Zurich is connected by the A1 (Bern, St. Gallen), A3 (Basel, Chur) and A4 (Schaffhausen, Lucerne), with the A51 serving the airport. The airport has its own rail station, and Swiss rail freight links Zurich with the Rhine ports in Basel and the Gotthard corridor to Italy.
Operational logistics facts for Zurich
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich Airport (ZRH) | Belly cargo on long-haul passenger flights | Most of Switzerland's international air connections in one place |
| Rhine ports Basel | Containers via Rotterdam and Antwerp | Sea freight delivered into Switzerland by barge |
| Precision instruments and medtech | High-value, sensitive equipment | OBC and careful routing for valuable items |
Industries in Zurich and how we support them
The Zurich region combines finance with precision instruments, medtech, pharma, electrical engineering and luxury goods. Companies such as ABB, headquartered in Zurich, and Mettler-Toledo, with major operations in Greifensee, ship high-value instruments and components worldwide. Shipments are often valuable, sensitive and documentation-heavy. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight through our airline network via ZRH, On-Board Courier for high-value and sensitive items, Next Flight Out, sea freight via the Rhine and North Sea ports, and customs clearance by our own customs team in Switzerland, including EU-Swiss origin documents.
FCL and LCL via Sea freight via Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg, Rhine barge to Basel
Full containers are booked directly with the shipping line; for smaller volumes we use LCL consolidation services. Pre-carriage from Zurich to Sea freight via Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg, Rhine barge to Basel, 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 Zurich?
Usually Sea freight via Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg, Rhine barge to Basel. Depending on the shipping line and the destination, another port can be faster or more economical; we compare the options when quoting.