Frankfurt Airport Launches Digital Import Platform FRA-OS

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is one of the first major European cargo hubs to comprehensively meet EU customs requirements for consolidated import shipments. This enables fast, efficient, and transparent handling. The platform is a fundamental building block in the digitization of the cargo business.

(Frankfurt/Main) Frankfurt Airport is launching the digital exchange platform FRA-OS/Import for freight data. As one of the first major European cargo hubs, Frankfurt thus offers a comprehensive, customs-compliant solution for the import of consolidated shipments. Airport operator Fraport developed the platform in collaboration with DAKOSY AG and numerous partners from the air cargo community. It represents another important milestone in the digitization of the cargo business at Frankfurt Airport.

After the customs authorities gained access to the innovative platform in an initial step, operational work with the system has now begun. The first key partners in the supply chain have successfully joined after intensive preparatory work. These include cargo handlers, freight forwarders, and logistics companies.

Newly Gained Transparency

“The FRA-OS/Import platform is the central tool to meet customs requirements on one hand and to make existing processes for the import of goods more efficient on the other. With this unique feature, we offer our location partners newly gained transparency for their shipments. At the same time, they benefit from a significant increase in efficiency in implementing EU regulations,” explains Max Philipp Conrady, Head of Freight Development and Management at Fraport.

The requirements of the European Customs Code for so-called consolidated shipments during import are challenging. Each individual shipment must be declared to customs, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Often, not all shipment information is directly available. Additionally, it is essential for customs to have an overview of the location of individual shipments and the duration until declaration.

Forwarders Also Involved

The digital platform FRA-OS/Import addresses this challenge: In the future, in addition to cargo handlers, freight forwarders will also be able to declare shipments in customs warehouses throughout the Frankfurt Airport customs area. This also applies to partial shipments, which currently occur in large numbers. Thus, capacity is increased and processing is accelerated.

All process participants input the required data into the platform. This provides a high-quality, centralized, and consolidated data basis that participating partners can access. Moreover, the “Track and Trace” function of the new import platform provides customs and other process participants with transparent information about the whereabouts of the shipments. This standardizes, simplifies, and accelerates air and land-side processes in import.

Conrady: “Air freight is gaining importance worldwide. At Frankfurt Airport, we are well prepared for this, as we consistently rely on digital solutions. Together with our partners from the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt, we are advancing the dynamic freight business through intensive exchange and innovative technology.”

Diverse Partners Involved in Development

In addition to Fraport and DAKOSY, the development and realization of this innovative solution involved the responsible customs office, the Freight Forwarding and Logistics Association of Hesse-Rhineland-Palatinate (SLV), the Association of Air Cargo Handlers in Germany (VACAD), and other partners from the Air Cargo Community. Technically, FRA-OS/Import is a component of the existing platform “FAIR@Link” from the software house DAKOSY. More cargo handlers and freight forwarders are ready to integrate FRA-OS/Import into their processes soon.

Photo: © Fraport / Image Caption: Those involved in the development and realization of the platform (from left to right): Patrik O. Tschirch (Association of Air Cargo Handlers in Germany e.V. (VACAD)), Dirk Gladiator (DAKOSY AG), Thorsten Hölser (Freight Forwarding and Logistics Association of Hesse/Rhineland-Palatinate e.V. (SLV)), Martina Schikorr (Fraport AG), Markus Tönsgerlemann (Main Customs Office Frankfurt), Max Philipp Conrady (Fraport AG), Claus Wagner (VACAD)