Reliable & Efficient UK & Europe Road Freight Solutions

For over two decades, Shipping International has refined the science of road freight. We provide precision and compliance for every mile within the UK and across Europe. Our team ensures secure delivery supported by real-time tracking and a steadfast commitment to the safe arrival of your goods. We manage the complex border requirements that now define UK-EU trade, allowing your business to move freight without the friction of customs delays.

The Shipping International Advantage

In logistics, reliability depends on technical expertise. Here is how we distinguish our road freight service:

• Direct UK-EU Border Management: We handle the full customs stack, from EORI verification to final discharge of transit documents.
• Strategic European Network: Our routes cover major industrial hubs and remote regions across mainland Europe and the UK.
• Specialised Equipment: We offer tailored vehicle options, including refrigerated units for perishables and low-loaders for oversized cargo.
• Advanced Visibility: Real-time tracking provides transparency, allowing you to monitor your shipment through every border crossing and terminal.
• Regulatory Adaptation: We proactively adapt to changes in HMRC and EU customs law, such as the transition to NCTS 5 and new ICS2 protocols.

Navigating the UK-EU Border: Technical Requirements

Since Brexit, road freight between the UK and the EU is no longer a domestic move. Every vehicle crossing the Short Straits or entering or leaving North Sea ports must comply with strict digital and physical protocols.

GVMS and GMR

The Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) is the UK’s platform for linking customs declarations to a physical vehicle. Before a truck reaches the port of Dover or the Eurotunnel, we generate a Goods Movement Reference (GMR). This single reference number proves that all goods on board have the necessary import or export declarations. Without a valid GMR, a vehicle will not be allowed to board the ferry or train.

Transit Documents: T1 vs T2

Transit procedures allow goods to move across borders, with duties suspended until they reach their final destination.

• T1 Transit: Used for non-Union goods. This is the standard document for UK exports entering the EU. It keeps the cargo under customs control from the UK departure point to an inland clearance depot in the EU.
• T2 Transit: Used for Union goods. This typically applies when EU goods move through the UK (a third country) to reach another EU member state, maintaining their Union status throughout the journey.

Post-Brexit European Road Freight Checklist

This checklist ensures your cargo meets the legal requirements for international road transport. Missing a single data point can result in vehicles being held at Inland Border Facilities (IBF) for days.

1. Business Identifiers

• EORI Numbers: You must have a UK EORI starting with GB. Your customer in the EU must have a valid EU EORI number.
• VAT Registration: Ensure your VAT status is clear for Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) to improve your cash flow on imports.

2. Cargo Documentation

• Commercial Invoice: Must include accurate HS codes, the net and gross weight, and a clear statement of origin.
• CMR Note: This is the mandatory contract of carriage for international road freight. It must be completed in triplicate.
• Packing List: A detailed breakdown of the contents of every pallet or crate.

3. Customs and Safety

• Export/Import Declarations: Filed electronically via the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) in the UK.
• Safety and Security Declarations (SSD): Mandatory filings (ENS or EXS) that allow border authorities to assess the risk of the load before arrival.
• Rules of Origin: Evidence that the goods qualify for preferential zero-duty rates under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Diverse Freight Service Portfolio

• Full Truckload (FTL): Best for high-volume shipments requiring a dedicated vehicle and a direct route from the UK factory to the European site.
• Less-than-Truckload (LTL): A cost-effective groupage service where multiple shippers share space on a single trailer.
• Temperature-Controlled Logistics:
  • Refrigerated vehicles with active temperature monitoring.
  • Compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) for pharmaceutical loads.
  • Real-time alerts for any temperature fluctuations in transit.
• Heavy and Oversized Cargo: We manage route surveys and police notifications for wide or heavy loads moving across UK and European motorways.

Cost Drivers in Road Freight

Freight rates are influenced by more than just mileage. We help you manage these primary cost factors:

• Fuel Surcharges: Rates fluctuate based on global oil prices and the Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF).
• Customs Agency Fees: The cost of filing GMRs, T1 documents, and safety declarations.
• Port and Ferry Costs: Surcharges associated with specific crossing routes, such as the Dover-Calais or Hull-Rotterdam lanes.
• Empty Running: Rates are often higher on lanes with trade imbalances, as carriers must account for the cost of returning an empty vehicle.