Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) Air Cargo and DHL Hub Guide
Operational guide to Leipzig/Halle Airport (Flughafen Leipzig/Halle), Germany's second busiest cargo airport and Europe's fourth. Explore the DHL European express hub, AeroLogic and Amazon Air operations, the two 3,600 metre runways, 24 hour cargo slots, Zollamt Flughafen Leipzig ATLAS clearance, and apparel air freight from the Philippines to Germany and Europe.
Why Leipzig/Halle Wins on Time Critical Apparel
Leipzig/Halle Airport sits in Schkeuditz between Leipzig in Saxony and Halle (Saale) in Saxony-Anhalt, at the crossroads of the German motorway and rail network. It is owned by Mitteldeutsche Airport Holding AG and operated by Flughafen Leipzig/Halle GmbH. Because the airport is permitted to operate cargo flights around the clock, it carries the highest number of freight only movements of any airport in the European Union, and it is DHL's largest express hub anywhere in the world.
A Hub That Runs While Europe Sleeps
Express freight at Leipzig/Halle works on a night rhythm. Cargo aircraft arrive through the late evening, the sortation system processes the network at peak, and outbound flights depart before dawn. At the height of the night about 170 cargo movements are handled.
Night sort window
Zollamt Flughafen Leipzig and 0% EU GSP+
Import clearance at the airport is handled by Zollamt Flughafen Leipzig (customs office code DE005604) in Schkeuditz, which falls under Hauptzollamt Dresden (DE005550). Filings are made electronically in the German ATLAS system.
ATLAS electronic declaration
The nominated forwarder lodges the import declaration with the German EORI number, the air waybill, the commercial invoice, and the packing list. Pre lodged declarations let cargo clear soon after touchdown.
REX and EU GSP+
Philippine made apparel under HS chapters 61 and 62 enters Germany at 0% preferential duty under EU GSP+ when supported by a valid Registered Exporter statement on origin, instead of the standard most favoured nation rate.
Import VAT and standards
Import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) of 19% is assessed on the customs value and is generally recoverable by a registered German business. Apparel must also meet German textile labelling and LkSG due diligence rules and EU REACH chemical limits.
EORI registration
The German importer needs an Economic Operators Registration and Identification number to be named on the declaration. Customs and the Generalzolldirektion administer the system.
Air Through LEJ, Air Through FRA, or Ocean
Leipzig/Halle is the express and night operations gateway, while Frankfurt handles the larger share of belly hold and general air cargo, and the North Sea ports carry the volume ocean freight.
| Parameter | Leipzig/Halle (LEJ) | Frankfurt (FRA) | Ocean (Bremerhaven or Hamburg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character | Express and night cargo hub | Belly hold and general air cargo | Volume container freight |
| Cargo scale | 1.38 million tonnes (2024) | About 2.0 million tonnes a year | Millions of TEU per port |
| Transit from the Philippines | 1 to 3 days | 1 to 3 days | 30 to 45 days |
| Best suited to | Urgent capsules, samples, restocks | Widebody belly capacity, trade fairs | Full container volume and seasonal stock |
| Duty with REX | 0% EU GSP+ | 0% EU GSP+ | 0% EU GSP+ |
From Manila or Davao to the Saxony Hub
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Booking and packing
Garments are packed to airline ULD specification and booked on a freighter or widebody passenger service from Manila (MNL), Clark (CRK), Cebu (CEB), or Davao (DVO).
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Flight to the network
Air cargo moves through a Gulf or Asian hub onto the European freighter network, landing at Leipzig/Halle within about one to three days under our air transport services.
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Pre arrival filing
The carrier and forwarder file the entry summary and the ATLAS import declaration ahead of arrival, so the shipment is ready for immediate release.
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Clearance and delivery
Zollamt Flughafen Leipzig releases the goods with the GSP+ preference applied, and cleared cargo moves by road or rail across Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and the wider German market. See the Philippines to Germany import guide for the full document set.
Related German Trade and Logistics Guides
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
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Import from the Philippines to Germany
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Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI)
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Cities of Germany Directory
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Port of Hamburg Guide
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Products and Capabilities
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Leipzig/Halle Air Cargo FAQ
What is Leipzig/Halle Airport known for?
Leipzig/Halle Airport (IATA LEJ, ICAO EDDP) is Germany's second busiest cargo airport after Frankfurt and the fourth busiest in Europe, handling 1,383,319 tonnes of cargo in 2024. It is DHL's largest express hub worldwide and carries the highest number of freight only movements in the European Union.
Can cargo flights operate at Leipzig/Halle at night?
Yes. Leipzig/Halle permits cargo take off and landing 24 hours a day, which is central to the overnight express network. At the peak of the night about 170 cargo movements are handled, and the airport is notable for having the most freight only movements in the EU.
What is the customs office at Leipzig/Halle Airport?
The airport customs office is Zollamt Flughafen Leipzig, code DE005604, in Schkeuditz, under Hauptzollamt Dresden (DE005550). Declarations are lodged electronically in the German ATLAS system with the importer's EORI number.
How does 0% duty under EU GSP+ apply to air cargo at LEJ?
Philippine manufactured apparel under HS chapters 61 and 62 qualifies for 0% preferential duty under EU GSP+ when accompanied by a valid Registered Exporter statement on origin. The forwarder cites the preference and the REX number on the ATLAS declaration, saving the standard most favoured nation duty.
How fast is air freight from the Philippines to Leipzig/Halle?
Typical transit from Manila, Clark, Cebu, or Davao to Leipzig/Halle runs about one to three days on a freighter or widebody passenger service, depending on the connecting hub and the sailing of the night sort. Ocean freight to the German seaports takes about 30 to 45 days by comparison.
Book Air Sourcing to Leipzig/Halle
Connect with our export desk for air freight quotations, production timelines, and complete ATLAS and REX documentation for Philippine apparel bound for Leipzig/Halle and the German market.