Transport France

Excellence Global Logistics manages freight on the Germany–France corridor every day — from groupage shipments to time-critical direct runs.

A plant in Alsace waits each morning for supplier parts from Stuttgart; the production line only starts once the shipments have arrived. Components flow to French automotive and aerospace plants, while wine, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals move in the opposite direction. These tightly scheduled supply chains define the flow of goods between Germany and France.

The right mode of transport depends on the nature of the cargo and the distance involved.

Modes of Transport: Germany–France

Road Freight

The majority of freight between Germany and France moves by truck. On short corridors such as the Saarland–Lorraine route, dense cross-border traffic runs daily. LTL, part loads, and full truckloads can be scheduled reliably — including just-in-time deliveries for automotive suppliers and mechanical engineers.

This gives you direct access to the key industrial regions of both countries: on the German side, the Rhine-Ruhr area, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria; on the French side, Grand Est, Île-de-France, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

For time-sensitive shipments, we deploy direct runs without transshipment. Our groupage network also reaches smaller consignees in outlying areas with high departure frequency. For tightly scheduled production deliveries, we coordinate pickup and delivery directly with your facility.

Air Freight for Time-Critical and High-Value Shipments

We move cargo by air when time or cargo value is the deciding factor. This includes AOG parts for the aviation industry, urgent replacement parts for halted production lines, and sensitive goods such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and semiconductors.

Via the hubs at Frankfurt, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, and Lyon, you benefit from short transit times and secure handling of sensitive cargo. Paris–Charles de Gaulle is one of Europe’s largest cargo airports, offering an extensive network of connections.

Temperature-controlled air freight for medical products is growing in importance on this route. We transport such shipments in compliance with GDP requirements, with continuous temperature monitoring from dispatch to handover.

For aerospace, we provide AOG service when an aircraft is grounded waiting for a part. For particularly urgent individual shipments, we book the next available flight (Next Flight Out) or accompany the cargo with an on-board courier.

On short routes between neighboring countries, air freight is rarely significantly faster than road. Airport logistics, handling times, and pre- and on-carriage all take time. Air freight therefore remains the exception and is only used in very specific cases.

Industries in Germany–France Trade

Automotive and Supplier Industry on Both Sides of the Rhine

Vehicles and vehicle parts are among the most important traded goods between the two countries. Plants and suppliers on both sides of the Rhine are closely interconnected. We understand the demands of these supply chains — from tight time windows and scheduled shuttle services to end-to-end shipment tracking.

Aerospace from Toulouse to Northern Germany

The German–French aerospace industry places exceptional demands on freight. Airbus and its suppliers along the Toulouse–Northern Germany corridor operate within tightly coordinated supply chains.

Excellence Global Logistics transports components, spare parts, and AOG cargo on this route.

Mechanical and Plant Engineering

Machinery and industrial equipment are a core export on both sides. For manufacturers and buyers in the German and French mechanical engineering sectors, we organize reliable transport — including oversized and heavy cargo.

Beauty Products

Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and beauty products move in significant volumes between Germany and France. We provide temperature-controlled transport in accordance with GDP guidelines and are familiar with the regulatory requirements of this sector.

Wine, Beverages, and Fine Foods

France is the world’s leading wine exporter, and Germany is one of its most important markets. We deliver wines, beverages, and fine foods temperature-controlled from Bordeaux and Burgundy directly to German warehouses and distribution centers.

Germany–France Trade in Numbers

France consistently ranks among Germany’s most important export markets. Around 7 to 8 percent of total German exports go to France, regularly placing it second only to the United States. In the other direction, Germany is France’s most important trading partner, with approximately 13 to 14 percent of French goods exports destined for the German market.

Bilateral trade volume stood at around USD 187 billion in 2025. Current figures for January through May 2026 point to a positive trend: total trade volume reached approximately EUR 83 billion, up from EUR 76 billion in the same period the previous year. Both imports from France and exports to France increased.

The economic integration between the two countries is structural in nature. Automotive, aerospace, mechanical engineering, and chemicals/pharmaceuticals are deeply linked through shared supply chains — making France a core corridor for German industrial companies.

Excellence Global Logistics operates on this route every day. Trust a freight forwarder that delivers your shipments between Germany and France on time, every time.