Air express shipping from and to Germany offers one of Europe's most reliable and efficient solutions for international delivery of parcels, documents, and ecommerce goods.
With Frankfurt Airport (FRA) as Europe's busiest air freight hub and additional capacity at Leipzig (LEJ) and Munich (MUC), express shipments can reach most European destinations within 1-2 business days and global destinations within 3-5 business days.
Whether you're shipping business documents, industrial samples, or ecommerce parcels, air express in Germany offers door-to-door service, real-time tracking, and streamlined customs clearance - ideal for individuals, SMEs, and enterprise exporters.
Air Express Services
Air express shipping connects senders with global courier networks. Parcels are picked up from your location, processed through export customs, flown to destination hubs, and delivered directly to the recipient - typically within days.
While air freight is ideal for large cargo, air express provides priority handling, door-to-door delivery, and real-time tracking. It's the preferred method for smaller, high-value, or time-sensitive shipments that require faster customs clearance.
Air express rates are based on volumetric (dimensional) weight. Packaging that minimizes empty space helps lower costs and speed up customs inspection.
Shipping rates may fluctuate during Christmas, Easter, Black Friday, and Cyber Week, when ecommerce traffic surges. Early booking helps secure optimal prices and guaranteed delivery slots.
As part of the European Union Customs Union, shipments within the EU are duty-free. For imports from outside the EU, customs clearance is handled by Zoll.
Customs declarations are processed electronically via ATLAS (Automated Tariff and Local Customs System), enabling quick release for express shipments.
Use durable, eco-friendly packaging in line with Germany's sustainability regulations. Label packages clearly in English or German, and include commercial invoices externally to streamline customs checks.
Prohibited items include weapons, narcotics, perishables, cash, counterfeit goods, and hazardous materials. Certain electronics, batteries, and chemicals require IATA or CE compliance.
Germany's ecommerce industry - led by Otto, Zalando, About You, and Amazon.de - relies on rapid cross-border fulfillment. iContainers helps ecommerce sellers automate express delivery and customs processes for global expansion.
iContainers integrates real-time tracking, customs automation, and IOSS (Import One Stop Shop) VAT compliance for frictionless EU-wide ecommerce shipping.
Typically 1-5 business days, depending on destination and customs processing.
Up to 70 kg per piece or 120 cm in length, depending on carrier.
Frankfurt (FRA), Leipzig (LEJ), and Munich (MUC) are the main hubs.
Air Waybill, Commercial Invoice, and Packing List are standard. A customs declaration is needed for non-EU shipments.
Weapons, narcotics, perishables, hazardous materials, and counterfeit products.
Zoll - German Customs Administration
https://www.zoll.de/
Germany - Import Tariffs (U.S. International Trade Administration)
https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/germany-import-tariffs
Germany - Import Requirements and Documentation (Trade.gov)
https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/germany-import-requirements-and-documentation
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) - Cargo Operations
https://www.frankfurt-airport.com/en/business-locations/cargo.html
PwC Germany - VAT (MwSt) Overview
https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/germany
European Commission - VAT & IOSS Scheme
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/ioss_en
Statista - Ecommerce Market in Germany
https://www.statista.com/topics/2478/e-commerce-in-germany/
DHL Express Germany - International Shipping Services
https://www.dhl.de/en/privatkunden.html