POSTFACH 10 27 34
40018 DUESSELDORF
GERMANY
20079 HAMBURG
GERMANY
Dear Customer,
We would like to inform you that, as of October 1, 2025, registration on the German Ports platform will become mandatory to
participate in the new digital import release process.
This new regulation applies to all companies that receive import containers and manage or issue release authorizations.
The digital process is being implemented based on new legislation introduced by the federal states of Hamburg, Bremen, and Lower Saxony.
Its primary aim is to prevent the misuse of release information, particularly in connection with drug smuggling, to strengthen security standards at German seaports, and to standardize port and terminal procedures across Germany.
The technical implementation and process coordination will be carried out by Dakosy AG in Hamburg and dbh for the ports of Bremerhavenand Wilhelmshaven. Both providers will offer informational webinars tailored to various stakeholders along the supply chain to support a smooth transition.
What does this mean for you?
- As of October 1, 2025, registration on the German Ports platform is a prerequisite for receiving, managing, and forwarding import release authorizations.
- Companies without registration will no longer be able to receive or process import releases after this date.
- PIN codes will be replaced by release rights, which can be passed along within the German Ports platform.
- We strongly encourage you to attend the webinars offered by Dakosy and dbh to learn about procedures, technical requirements, and the specific actions you need to take.
Please make sure to incorporate this transition into your planning in a timely manner to ensure the uninterrupted processing of your import operations.
Should you have any questions, we - as well as your contacts at Dakosy and dbh - will be happy to assist you.
To familiarize yourself with the new process, Hapag-Lloyd shared additional information and supportive materials created from German Ports:
| Titel | Seiten | Größe | Sprache | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forwarder Process Information | 21 | 1.3 MB | Englisch | |
| German Ports Secure Release Order | 1 | 136.7 KB | Deutsch | |
| Secure Release Order - Factsheet | 1 | 157.2 KB | Deutsch |
Starting from October 1, 2025, legislators in the federal states of Hamburg, Bremen, and Lower Saxony will legally require that the import release process must be carried out completely without the use of a PIN.
A contract with German Ports is a prerequisite for registration.
Contract documents can be requested via the registration form on the German Ports website (button above)
As a freight forwarder, you should check the technical and functional documentation provided on the website.
If necessary, arrange an onboarding appointment with the project teams at Dakosy / dbh at an early stage.
As soon as your systems have been customized, the integration can be tested flexibly.
