What Is a CFS Bonded Warehouse in Europe?

Published March 21, 2018 · Sino-Euro Railway · Updated August 18, 2026

A CFS (Container Freight Station) bonded warehouse is a customs-supervised facility where goods entering Europe can be stored short-term without paying import duty, and then re-exported or cleared into free circulation. It acts as a flexible buffer for rail, air and ocean freight shipments.

CFS warehouses should be distinguished from Free Trade Zone (FTZ) warehouses, which allow long-term storage of goods in transit. The CFS is designed for short stays: your cargo gains temporary entry into Europe, you avoid paying duty, and you can re-export within a short window — a smooth and efficient way to transfer goods to the export destination of your choice.

Q: What is the difference between a CFS bonded warehouse and a Free Trade Zone warehouse? A: A CFS bonded warehouse is for short-term temporary storage of goods entering or leaving the country, while an FTZ warehouse allows long-term storage of goods in transit.

Q: Do I pay import duty while my cargo is in a CFS bonded warehouse? A: No. Duty and VAT become payable only when the goods are cleared into free circulation; cargo that is re-exported from the CFS within the allowed period avoids import duty in Europe.