diff --git a/app/api/contact/route.ts b/app/api/contact/route.ts
index 95e8331..982a175 100644
--- a/app/api/contact/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/contact/route.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
   ConfirmationMessage,
 } from "@mintel/mail";
 import React from "react";
+import nodemailer from "nodemailer";
 
 export async function POST(req: Request) {
   const services = getServerAppServices();
@@ -77,7 +78,7 @@ export async function POST(req: Request) {
       services.errors.captureException(payloadError, { phase: "payload_save" });
     }
 
-    // 2. Email sending via Payload (which uses configured nodemailer)
+    // 2. Email sending via standalone Nodemailer (bypassing Payload adapter)
     try {
       const { config } = await import("@/lib/config");
       const clientName = "MB Grid Solutions";
@@ -92,7 +93,17 @@ export async function POST(req: Request) {
           ? recipients.join(",")
           : process.env.CONTACT_RECIPIENT || "info@mb-grid-solutions.com";
 
-      logger.info("Preparing to send notification email", { to });
+      logger.info("Instantiating standalone nodemailer transport");
+      const transporter = nodemailer.createTransport({
+        host: config.mail.host,
+        port: config.mail.port,
+        auth: {
+          user: config.mail.user,
+          pass: config.mail.pass,
+        },
+      });
+
+      logger.info("Preparing to send notification email", { to, host: config.mail.host });
 
       // 2a. Notification to MB Grid
       const notificationHtml = await render(
@@ -104,7 +115,7 @@ export async function POST(req: Request) {
         }),
       );
 
-      await payload.sendEmail({
+      await transporter.sendMail({
         from: config.mail.from,
         to,
         replyTo: email,
@@ -121,7 +132,7 @@ export async function POST(req: Request) {
           }),
         );
 
-        await payload.sendEmail({
+        await transporter.sendMail({
           from: config.mail.from,
           to: email,
           subject: `Ihre Kontaktanfrage bei ${clientName}`,