Freight forwarding Leipzig – transport to and from Czechia

Air cargo first: the Leipzig/Halle hub

For many importers, Leipzig means one thing: the airport near Schkeuditz, between Leipzig and Halle. By cargo volume it is Germany's second-largest airport and one of Europe's main hubs for express air freight, with night flights bringing in shipments from Asia, the Americas and across Europe. Rather than waiting for onward distribution, you can have your consignment collected at the airport and driven straight to your premises in the Czech Republic or Slovakia.

Goods from outside the EU must be customs-cleared. This can happen in Germany, or the consignment can travel under transit and be cleared in Czechia by your own customs broker. When ordering, please send:

• the air waybill (AWB) number,
• the handling agent holding the shipment and its contact,
• who is responsible for customs clearance,
• pieces, weight and dimensions as stated on the AWB.

A short run across the Ore Mountains

Prague to Leipzig is approximately 250 km: the D8 to the Krásný Les/Breitenau border, the A17 to Dresden, the A4 to the Nossen junction and the A14 into Leipzig. Driving time is four to five hours including a break, so morning loading in Leipzig means afternoon delivery in Prague. Brno is approximately 450 km away, with delivery the next working morning. In winter, allow a little extra time: the D8 crosses the crest of the Ore Mountains, where snow and ice can slow traffic. Because a truck can complete the round trip in a day, a dedicated vehicle is often competitive even for medium-sized loads.

Industry around the city

Two large car plants stand north of Leipzig near the airport, surrounded by supplier parks. West and north of the city lies the Central German Chemical Triangle, with chemical parks at Leuna, Schkopau and Bitterfeld-Wolfen producing plastic granulates, base chemicals and fuels. Leipzig also has a long printing and publishing tradition and is one of Europe's oldest trade fair cities; the sample fair format was invented here in the late 19th century. Large distribution centres line the A9 and A14 motorways.

Typical imports to Czechia are automotive parts and returnable packaging, plastic granulates, films and chemicals, printed matter and packaging board, consumer goods from distribution centres, and air cargo of every kind. Czech suppliers send components to the local car plants, castings, glass, building materials and food. Deliveries to car plants often involve returnable packaging such as crates and stillages that go back empty; tell us in advance and we use the truck's return leg for them.

Which service fits

Air cargo and urgent spare parts go by express van and reach Prague the same day. A full trailer of parts or granulate travels as a dedicated truck, delivered the same day or next morning. A few pallets suit groupage at one to two working days. Chemicals, fuels and aerosols from the chemical parks need an ADR carrier; please send the safety data sheet and UN numbers.

Saxon holidays and site access

Saxony has public holidays that most of Germany does not. Reformation Day on 31 October and the Day of Repentance and Prayer, a Wednesday in November, are holidays only in a few states, the latter in Saxony alone. On these days trucks over 7.5 tonnes may not drive and warehouses are closed. Large distribution and supplier sites around Leipzig work with booked loading slots and gate security, so ask your supplier for the loading reference, gate and time window. Our calculator gives you a price in minutes.