This article is presented by the M9 Logistics Germany Office:
Introduction: How air cargo logistics really works
Behind every air freight operation in Germany lies a tightly structured network of companies, technologies, and people. At Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe’s leading hubs for international trade, shipments don’t just arrive. They are carefully handled, tracked, cleared, and delivered through a chain of economic operators, freight forwarders, and regulatory agencies.
But how does all of this actually work in practice? What happens between the moment the plane lands and the moment the cargo reaches its final destination?
To answer that, we spent a full day on the ground, observing the behind-the-scenes flow of international freight forwarding in real time.
For global shippers, partnering with experienced international freight forwarders like M9 Logistics ensures that every shipment — whether a single shipment or part of a freight consolidation — reaches its destination country reliably, whether by air, rail, or truck.
Inside the Airport Cargo Chain
Each airline operating in Germany is assigned a designated cargo handling agent — a warehouse operator responsible for managing shipments on behalf of that specific carrier. These companies are known as Ground Handling Agents (GHA). They perform the full scope of logistics operations, including the acceptance, storage, loading, and unloading of cargo, as well as the processing of all necessary transport and customs documentation, and the handover of freight to recipients or airline representatives.
At Frankfurt Airport — one of Europe’s largest cargo hubs — the logistics system is organized with strict zoning by cargo type and direction of movement. In addition to GHAs, several other key parties are involved in the process:
- Cargo Terminal Operators (e.g., Lufthansa Cargo, FCS Frankfurt Cargo Services) – These companies provide the physical infrastructure for cargo storage, handling, and inspection.
- Freight Forwarders (Spediteure) – These are international freight forwarders responsible for coordinating shipments, booking air freight, managing customs clearance, and arranging door-to-door delivery.
- Customs Authorities (Zoll) – German customs officers ensure that all imports and exports comply with national and EU regulatory requirements, including duties, declarations, and documentation.
- Security Screening (Sicherheitskontrolle) – Mandatory inspection procedures designed to detect prohibited or hazardous materials, particularly relevant for outbound cargo.
Air cargo logistics in Germany is driven by strict time windows: export cargo must be delivered within specific cut-off times prior to departure, while imported cargo must be cleared or transferred to customs shortly after arrival.
In summary, cargo handling at German airports is a highly coordinated process involving airlines, GHAs, freight forwarders, terminal operators, and government authorities. All working in sync to uphold the standards of efficiency, safety, and international compliance.
Let’s take a closer look at how it all unfolds: step by step.
1. Early Morning
The work begins before the cargo lands
The day starts long before the cargo touches German soil.
The freight forwarding team at M9 Logistics starts working on every shipment well before the aircraft lands. Our day begins by reviewing upcoming flights, tracking cargo, and verifying freight documentation, including the Air Waybill (AWB) and commercial invoices.
We liaise proactively with airlines, clients, carriers, customs brokers, and the assigned GHA to make sure everything is ready in advance. One of the critical steps is requesting the ATB number (Air Waybill Tracking Number), which is required for submitting the import declaration to customs authorities as soon as the cargo physically arrives.
Because air freight moves across different countries and shipping modes, real-time accuracy is key. While there are online tools to track shipments by AWB number, updates from airline systems can lag, especially for transit shipments or in the case of delays at intermediate points. In such cases, our team manually requests the most current data from the forwarding agent in the origin country or, if needed, directly from the customer, depending on who manages the export leg of the international movement.
Once the flight lands, we immediately coordinate with the GHA to obtain arrival documentation and verify cargo availability. This is a time-sensitive stage: the sooner we receive and process the documents, the sooner we can proceed with customs formalities and final delivery planning.
Internally, our operations team allocates responsibilities based on client ownership, current team workload, and the urgency of each shipment. This allows us to remain flexible and responsive, ensuring minimal transportation costs, avoiding unnecessary delays, and keeping our customers updated throughout the entire process.
This kind of active oversight is what makes our logistics services both reliable and efficient, even under pressure.
2. Arrival and Unloading
On the ground at the airport
Once the aircraft touches down at the airport, the coordinated process of cargo handling begins — involving multiple teams, stages, and technologies, all operating under strict time constraints.
The first stage takes place on the apron area (Vorfeld). Here, specialized GHA crews are responsible for unloading the freight. Using equipment such as high-loaders, dollies, tugs, and conveyor belts, they offload both ULDs (Unit Load Devices) and loose cargo directly from the aircraft’s cargo hold. This task is performed in close coordination with the flight crew and follows strict safety protocols.
Once unloaded, the cargo is transferred to the terminal warehouse, where the next phase of handling begins. It’s important to understand that apron handling and warehouse operations are typically managed by different service providers — each with specific responsibilities. The apron team focuses on the physical interaction with the aircraft, while the warehouse operator manages storage, documentation, and cargo preparation.
At the warehouse, incoming shipments are registered, sorted, and moved into designated zones for inspection and customs processing. Export cargo may also be present, staged and packed in advance, waiting to be delivered back to the apron for loading onto outbound flights.
For import cargo, this is the point where M9 Logistics steps in with its core expertise. We verify the condition of the shipment, ensure that the cargo is properly documented, and confirm its readiness for customs procedures. With the ATB number (Air Waybill Tracking Number) in hand, our team submits the import declaration via automated customs systems.
If all submitted information — including declared value, product classification, and origin country — meets the regulatory requirements, the import duties are calculated and the shipment is cleared. However, if discrepancies arise (e.g. a flagged HS code or potential hazardous materials), we immediately provide the required special documentation to resolve the issue and avoid unnecessary delays.
Throughout this process, our team applies robust risk management practices and draws on its additional expertise to maintain full compliance with customs laws — even when handling complex or sensitive goods moving across multiple transport modes.
3. Sorting, Storage, and Secure Handling
Cargo handling at the terminal
Inside the GHA terminal, every shipment is stored according to its type and status:
- Import zone for cleared goods
- Export zone for outbound cargo
- Cool storage for pharma and food (maintaining strict temperature control)
- Dangerous Goods (DGR) zone
- Secured area for screened and cleared air freight
Some zones even handle live animals, oversized cargo, or express shipments. Every pallet or crate is tagged in the warehouse system and monitored constantly. This approach supports our freight forwarders in maintaining traceability and optimizing the supply chain flow.
From warehousing to transport, nothing is left to chance — even the cargo insurance is checked and confirmed before goods move again.
Customs сlearance process
After a short processing time, we receive the ATB number (Air Waybill Tracking Number), which is essential for identifying the shipment in the customs system and for submitting the electronic import declaration via the airport’s customs interface.
If all the submitted information is accurate — including documentation, HS code, declared value, country of origin, and other relevant data — and there are no objections from customs, the system releases the cargo into free circulation. In this case, we receive the official release notification (Freigabe) along with the tax assessment (Steuerbescheid) specifying the applicable duties and taxes.
However, if customs authorities raise any concerns or require further clarification, they may request:
- Additional documents such as invoices, packing lists, or contracts
- Certificates of origin or compliance
- Technical descriptions of the goods
- Other supporting materials necessary to verify the declared information
In certain situations, a physical inspection (physische Kontrolle) may be scheduled. During this time, the clearance process is put on hold until the inspection is completed. Depending on the outcome, customs will either release the cargo and issue the tax assessment, or request corrections to the submitted data, resubmission of the declaration, or other formal actions.
Ultimately, the speed and outcome of customs clearance depend on the completeness and accuracy of the provided documentation. The process can range from a fully automated release to a detailed review by customs officers — and our team is ready to manage both scenarios with precision.
4. Delivery Planning
From airport to final destination
Once customs clearance is complete, the cargo doesn’t simply wait — this is where M9 Logistics steps in to take full control of the last-mile delivery, ensuring the shipment reaches the customer’s building or designated destination city efficiently and on time.
This phase of the freight forwarding process may be invisible to most businesses, but it’s one of the most critical in managing transportation, freight charges, and customer expectations. It involves a clear structure, tight coordination between logistics providers, Ground Handling Agents (GHA), and transport companies, and a consistent focus on compliance, transparency, and responsiveness.
Once the flight has landed and the cargo has been placed in the GHA’s warehouse, our logistics team collects the arrival documents — typically including the Air Waybill (AWB), CMR, and Arrival Notice. These documents are officially stamped to confirm that M9 Logistics has assumed responsibility for terminal handling charges and further coordination.
The next step is organizing truck dispatch to the cargo terminal. Before the driver arrives, our operations team ensures that all required paperwork is in order. During peak periods, we also book a slot in advance with the GHA to avoid delays and unnecessary waiting time — an important requirement at high-volume airports.
When the driver checks in, they are assigned a ramp number or dock, indicating where the freight is to be loaded. After identity and cargo verification, the goods are physically loaded onto the truck. The driver signs the necessary transport documents, and the shipment exits the airport premises.
From there, delivery is arranged according to advantageous conditions and customer requirements. Depending on the Incoterms, cargo type, and preferences, the goods may be delivered directly or routed through an intermediate consolidation warehouse. In either case, the shipment is tracked continuously, and real-time status updates can be provided to the customer. This guarantees adaptability in case of last-minute changes and reinforces our commitment to full visibility.
M9 Logistics is also fully equipped to handle time-critical shipments. A recent example involved branded merchandise from Thailand bound for a major event in Germany. The cargo was held at Frankfurt Airport due to a customs dispute over declared value. By applying a deferred payment solution and separating the shipment, our team successfully expedited the release, ensuring delivery just hours before the deadline.
Whether it’s compliance issues, unexpected weather disruptions, or missing documents, our clients trust M9 Logistics to resolve challenges with speed, professionalism, and flexibility. These are the qualities that define our approach to risk management and set us apart in high-pressure logistics environments.
Summary: Key Stages in Final-Mile Cargo Delivery
- Collection and verification of all arrival documents
- Confirmation of terminal handling charges
- Slot booking and ramp assignment at the GHA warehouse
- Physical loading of cargo and departure from the airport
- Final delivery to the customer, in full compliance with all logistical and regulatory requirements
By maintaining precise control over each of these stages — and by staying ready for exceptions — M9 Logistics ensures that every shipment, whether routine or urgent, reaches its final destination securely, efficiently, and with complete transparency.
5. Challenges in Logistics Services
Real-life logistics solutions
Delays, weather, or compliance issues can turn simple shipments into complex cases.
In one instance, a time-critical shipment from Thailand — branded merchandise for a major event — was held at Frankfurt due to a customs dispute. By applying deferred payment and separating the shipment, our team expedited the release, beating the deadline by mere hours.
Whether it’s paperwork or unexpected weather, M9’s approach to logistics is based on transparency, experience, and adaptability — making sure even the hardest situations are handled with professionalism.
Conclusion of Our Freight Forwarding Vlog
More than just freight forwarders
What makes M9 Logistics different?
In international freight forwarding, unexpected challenges like flight delays, weather disruptions, or compliance issues are inevitable. At M9 Logistics, we’re built to respond fast with a focus on transparency, coordination, and adaptability.
From interacting with GHAs, airlines, or customs, to solving documentation problems, we act immediately keeping cargo moving and clients informed every step of the way. Real-time communication is key: as soon as a potential delay arises, we notify all parties and offer clear solutions.
One recent example: a time-critical shipment of branded merchandise arrived from Thailand for an event in Cologne. During customs clearance, authorities flagged a dispute over declared value and initiated a physical inspection. To avoid missing the deadline, we proposed separating the shipment and offered a deferred payment guarantee, which allowed us to expedite the release just hours before the weekend.
Thanks to fast coordination and constant contact with customs, the broker, and the client, the shipment was delivered on time.
At M9 Logistics, we don’t just handle cargo. We manage uncertainty with speed, expertise, and a focus on results.
One day at the airport. Hundreds of shipments moved. Dozens of businesses empowered. That’s the M9 Logistics advantage.
Contact Us
E-mail: pricing_de@m9logistics.com
Telephone: +49 0 69 999993350
Location: M9 Logistics GmbH, Cargo City South, Building 638C 60549, Frankfurt, Germany. View on the maps.
