Automotive and industrial parts logistics
Castings, forgings, fasteners, wiring and assemblies, shipped from suppliers in Asia to plants in Germany and from Germany to customers abroad.
What makes this cargo different
- Line-side deadlines. Parts are delivered against a production schedule. If they arrive late, an assembly line waits.
- Heavy, dense freight. Metal parts hit a container’s payload limit when it is half empty. Weight has to be planned per container and per truck.
- Returnable packaging. Steel cages, plastic totes and racks travel full one way and empty the other. They need their own customs treatment.
- Part numbers and traceability. Every carton and pallet label must carry the part number, quantity and batch.
Sea, air or road
Most supply chains use all three, for different jobs.
Sea freight for planned volumes
Full containers (FCL) on a regular schedule carry the bulk of series production parts. Transit from Asia to Hamburg typically takes several weeks.
Sea freight from Asia to Hamburg
Air freight for emergencies
When a line is about to stop, parts fly. Dense parts are charged on actual weight, so the bill is high.
Air freight
Road for just-in-sequence
Within Europe, trucks deliver in fixed time windows. Just-in-sequence means parts arrive in the order the line will fit them.
Road freight in Germany and the EUCustoms points for parts
Classification
The HS code (the commodity code that sets the duty rate) is not the same for everything that goes into a vehicle. Many parts fall under heading 8708, but engine parts, bearings, tyres and electrical components are classified in their own headings.
Origin and preference
Under the EU’s trade agreements and preference schemes, goods that meet the origin rules can be imported at a reduced or zero duty rate, if the supplier provides the proof of origin the scheme requires.
Inward processing
If you import parts, assemble or finish them and re-export the result, inward processing lets you bring them in without paying duty. It needs an authorisation from customs before you start. Our Customs clearance in Germany page explains the procedures.
Packaging and handling
Bare metal rusts at sea. Moisture condenses on cold steel inside a container. Machined surfaces need VCI paper or film (a corrosion-inhibiting wrap), desiccant bags in the container and dry pallets.
Heavy parts must be secured against movement. In a container that means blocking, bracing and lashing, with the weight spread evenly across the floor.
Stacking limits belong on the booking. If cages or pallets cannot be stacked, or only two high, say so and mark them. Otherwise they will be stacked somewhere along the route.
How a line-down air shipment runs
A line-down is a production stop caused by a missing part.
You call us with the details
Part number, quantity, weight and dimensions per piece, the supplier’s address and when the goods are ready. Tell us if anything is classed as dangerous goods, such as airbag modules or batteries.
We check flights and quote
We look for the next direct flight with space and send you the options with cost and expected arrival.
Pick-up and export
The goods are collected from the supplier, cleared for export and handed to the airline before the cut-off.
Import clearance prepared in flight
We get the invoice and air waybill while the aircraft is in the air and prepare the German import declaration for arrival.
Direct delivery to the plant
Once released, the parts go by dedicated vehicle from the airport to your goods-in gate.
Common questions about parts logistics
How fast can an urgent part get from Asia to a plant in Germany?
Direct air freight usually takes a few days door to door. It depends on flight availability and on customs at both ends, so we give you an expected arrival, not a promise.
Can heavy parts go by air?
Yes, within the aircraft’s limits for piece weight and floor loading. Send exact weights and dimensions per piece so we can check with the airline before booking.
Should part numbers be on the commercial invoice?
Yes. Part numbers with a clear description speed up classification and goods-in checks.
How is returnable packaging handled at customs?
There are customs procedures for packaging that enters and leaves again, such as temporary admission. Tell us how your cages or totes circulate before the first shipment.
Planned volumes or a part that is needed now
Send us the part details and the route. You get an itemised quote and one named contact for every shipment.
Request a quote