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Freight Forwarder License (Spediteure)
GewO §94 Z.64
Verified: April 2026
Key Facts
- Type: Regulated trade (reglementiertes Gewerbe)
- Qualification: Entrepreneur exam + specific professional competence
- Registration cost: Free (€0)
- Core activity: Organizing freight transport (not driving trucks yourself)
- EU dimension: Can arrange cross-border shipments within the EU
- Note: Distinct from Güterbeförderung (carrier/haulage trade)
What Does This Trade Cover?
The freight forwarder trade license covers the organization and management of goods transport on behalf of clients:
- Arranging and coordinating freight shipments by road, rail, air, or sea
- Selecting carriers, negotiating transport contracts, and optimizing routes
- Customs clearance and handling of import/export documentation
- Warehousing and interim storage as part of the forwarding chain
- Multimodal transport coordination (combining truck, rail, ship, air)
- Digital freight management and logistics platform operation
Freight Forwarder (Spediteur) vs. Carrier (Fraechterer)
A Spediteur organizes transport — they plan, book, and manage shipments but typically do not
drive trucks themselves. A Fraechterer (Güterbeförderungsgewerbe, §94 Z.26) physically
transports goods with their own vehicles. Many logistics companies hold both licenses to offer
end-to-end services.
Digital Logistics Trends
The freight forwarding industry is increasingly digital. Austrian forwarders are adopting:
- Digital freight platforms: Online matching of shippers and carriers
- Track & trace systems: Real-time shipment visibility for clients
- Electronic customs: E-Zoll integration for faster border processing
- Carbon reporting: CO2 emission tracking per shipment as sustainability becomes a competitive factor
Qualification Requirements
- Entrepreneur exam (Unternehmerpüfung) or equivalent higher education
- Professional competence in logistics, transport law, and customs regulations
- Relevant education (e.g., Speditionskaufmann apprenticeship) + practical experience
- Individual assessment (§19 GewO) with proof of extensive logistics management experience
- Qualified manager (§39 GewO) who holds the required qualifications
Vollstaendige deutsche Version →
Related Guides
Legally binding: German text of GewO 1994.