UK–Europe freight options
Road freight is the quickest and most flexible way to move goods between the UK and mainland Europe. The right service depends on how much you're moving, how urgent it is and where it's going.
| Service | Best for | Typical transit to Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Full truck load (FTL) | 10+ pallets, urgent or high-value loads | 1–3 days |
| Part load | About 4–12 pallets that need to move quickly | 2–3 days |
| Groupage | One to a few pallets with flexible timing | 3–5 days |
| Unaccompanied trailer | Regular flows via the North Sea ferries | 2–3 days |
| Short-sea container | Heavy or containerised cargo | 3–5 days |
Typical times from the Midlands with customs documents ready before collection.
Countries we cover
We move freight to and from every country in mainland Europe, plus Ireland, Scandinavia and the Baltics. For the routes we're asked about most, see our country guides:
- UK to France: Dover, the Channel Tunnel and the western crossings
- UK to Germany: Channel routes or the North Sea ferries
- UK to the Netherlands: overnight ferries and EU distribution
- UK to Spain: overland or direct ferries to Santander and Bilbao
- UK to Italy: the Alpine routes to Milan, Turin and beyond
- Ireland: UK–Ireland, Ireland–Europe and Northern Ireland
- Turkey to the UK: road freight and sea containers
Customs, handled in-house on both sides
Since 2021 every load between Great Britain and the EU needs an export declaration, an import declaration and safety and security data, plus a GVMS reference at roll-on roll-off ports such as Dover and the Channel Tunnel. We handle the declarations at both ends in-house and check your invoice and packing list before collection, which is where most delays are prevented. Goods that meet the UK–EU rules of origin move duty-free with a statement on origin. Read do I need customs for UK–EU freight?
Crossings and timing
Accompanied loads usually use Dover–Calais, Dover–Dunkirk or the Channel Tunnel. Unaccompanied trailers use the longer North Sea routes to Rotterdam, Zeebrugge and the Hook of Holland. Driver-hours rules, weekend lorry bans in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, public holidays and Channel queues all affect transit times, so we plan collections around them. Biometric checks under the EU's Entry/Exit System can add time at Dover and the Channel Tunnel at busy periods.
Temperature-controlled and specialist loads
We arrange chilled and frozen loads in refrigerated trailers, with health certificates and pre-notification handled before the trailer reaches the border. See reefer and temperature-controlled freight. For machinery and oversized loads, see project cargo.
