Collecting import cargo by road from Frankfurt airport (FRA) requires four things to be agreed: the shipment’s status after arrival, the documents, the handler’s slot and the delivery point. A gap in any one of them usually delays collection more than the journey itself. Below is the process in the order in which it is worth running it.
In brief
- FRA has two cargo zones: CargoCity Nord and CargoCity Süd; the airport operator is Fraport.
- Before dispatching a vehicle, confirm that the shipment is ready, the documents are in order and the customs status is clear.
- Some handlers require a slot booking; always confirm the collection procedure with the handler.
- For your enquiry, prepare the terminal or handler, AWB number, cargo parameters and delivery window.
How cargo is organised at FRA
Cargo at Frankfurt airport is handled in two zones: CargoCity Nord and CargoCity Süd. The airport operator is Fraport AG, and the individual terminals are run by handlers, each with its own rules for entry, loading dock and release of shipments.
The scale of the airport is shown by its volume: according to Fraport data quoted by the trade press, cargo in 2025 was approx. 2.1 million t. This is a secondary source. For operational decisions, though, something else matters more than the figure: which terminal and which handler the shipment is held at determines the collection procedure.
Import collection step by step
1. Notice of readiness
We plan collection once it is established that the shipment is ready for release, that is, after arrival and unloading. The shipment status is checked by the forwarder or air freight forwarder in the handler’s systems. Notice of readiness for collection, passed to the carrier, allows the vehicle’s departure to be planned without waiting at the dock.
2. Documents
The documents, customs status and collection authorisation are prepared by the ordering party (the freight forwarder or forwarding agent). EVS does not replace customs clearance or the handler’s decision to release the shipment.
At a minimum, the following are needed before collection:
- the AWB number or another shipment number;
- a collection authorisation for the driver or the transport company;
- customs documents, if they apply to the shipment.
We do not describe customs procedures here. The key rule is simple: the customs status must be settled before collection. If it is not, the shipment may not be released and the vehicle will wait.
3. Handler slot
According to industry sources, the handlers LUG and Frankfurt Cargo Services in CargoCity Süd have required, since 2018, a loading or unloading slot to be booked in the Fair@Link system (Door Management); without a slot there is no access to the docks. This is a secondary source, so confirm the current rules before dispatching a vehicle. Other handlers may apply their own rules.
4. Collection authorisation, including Smart Pick-up
According to DAKOSY, a Smart Pick-up pilot has been running since May 2025: a digital authorisation that replaces the paper collection order. The driver presents a QR code scanned in the handler’s app, and the authorisation can be issued before the shipment lands. The solution works at some handlers and is at the pilot stage, so confirm the procedure with the handler before assuming that a code is enough.
5. Collection and onward transport
Once the shipment is released, the vehicle sets off on the agreed route. The order includes the delivery point and window, and the way status is reported (for example after loading, in case of changes and after delivery) is worth agreeing before the job starts.
Typical sources of delay on the ordering party’s side
From the forwarder’s perspective, most problems can be foreseen before the vehicle departs. It is worth checking:
- whether the shipment has a settled customs status and the documents are complete;
- whether a collection authorisation has been issued for the named driver or company;
- whether the slot booking, if required, is confirmed with the relevant handler;
- whether the AWB number and the number of pieces match the documents;
- whether the consignee in Poland or elsewhere in Europe is available in the agreed delivery window.
If any point is unclear, it is better to resolve it before the vehicle is dispatched than at the dock. This also applies to changes of plan: a change of terminal, handler or collection time should reach the carrier immediately, because the slot and the choice of vehicle depend on it.
What affects the actual collection time
We do not quote times, because they depend on the specific shipment and the day. They are affected by:
- shipment readiness — whether it has already been unloaded and is available for release;
- slot — availability of a time slot at the handler and consistency with the booking;
- queues — how busy the docks are at a given moment;
- handler’s working hours — the window in which it releases shipments;
- documents — a complete authorisation and a settled customs status.
That is why it is good to give the carrier not only the landing time but also the actual status of the shipment.
Onward transport to Poland and Europe
After collection from FRA, the shipment travels by road to Poland or another European country. We select the vehicle to match the cargo parameters (the range is given on the service page); availability is confirmed individually. We confirm specific availability once we have the cargo parameters. If the matter is urgent or the cargo fits a smaller vehicle, see also dedicated vans and express shipments.
When choosing a vehicle, what counts is the number of pieces, dimensions, weight, the loading method (dock, tail lift, pallet) and the requirements at the delivery point. The more precise the data at the start, the lower the risk of changing the vehicle after the fact.
What to prepare for your enquiry
- the terminal or handler name (CargoCity Nord or Süd);
- the AWB number or shipment number;
- number of pieces, dimensions and weight;
- readiness of the shipment for collection (status after arrival);
- delivery point and window;
- document requirements, including customs status;
- information on the collection authorisation and how it will be presented;
- a contact person at the forwarder and at the consignee.
Ask about an FRA pickup
If you need a road carrier for collection from Frankfurt, contact us by phone or e-mail. The scope of the service is described on the page for the road feeder service from Frankfurt airport. We check the terminal, slot and documents for the specific shipment, and we confirm vehicle availability individually.
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