In a transfer chamber having a housing with a transfer region and a passing band region, a transport device comprising a first arrangement of transport rollers is arranged in the transfer region of the housing, and a passing band comprising a second arrangement of transport rollers is arranged in the passing band region of the housing. The passing band region of the housing is subdivided by a horizontal wall, which is arranged above the passing band, into a transport space, which is located below the horizontal wall, and a pump space, which is located above the horizontal wall. The pump space has a vacuum port or a vacuum pump connected to it.