Features and rules of cargo transportation in Europe

Europe is one of the priority international destinations for Ukrainian transport and logistics companies. The ability to quickly deliver goods to anywhere in the European Union is associated with commercial benefits and the stable development of a manufacturing or trading enterprise. Given the peculiarities of freight transportation, you can freely solve business problems without encountering obstacles in your path. The main types of cargo transportation are carried out by road, air, sea transport.
Sea freight in Europe

The largest seaports in Ukraine are located in Odessa, Mariupol, Nikolaev, Chernomorsk, Yuzhny. The main European destinations are the ports of Hamburg, Rotterdam, Vilnius, Antwerp, Gdansk, Bremerhaven and Gdynia. The advantages of shipping by sea include low cost, the ability to deliver a large amount of cargo (by volume, by weight) in one batch. Delivery times for goods vary between 7-25 days.

Air Freight in Europe

Delivery of goods to the European Union by air is carried out as quickly as possible. This is the best option if you need to urgently deliver goods, such as flowers, fruits, perishable products. Order fulfillment time is 1-5 days. The only drawback is the high cost of the service, which affects the final price of the transported goods.

Road freight transport in Europe: procedure

Road freight transportation in Europe is the most demanded and popular way of delivering goods to their destination. The main advantage of road transport is the ability to deliver goods in a door-to-door format, which is facilitated by an extensive road network. The optimal route and driving mode is developed for each truck or road train individually, which allows you to choose reasonable, cost-effective solutions.

To operate international flights, the carrier company must obtain the appropriate license. The license entitles vehicles with goods to move across the territory of the countries of the European Union as part of a transit crossing or two-way traffic. The procedure for issuing licenses is determined by the Regulations of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. Number of the document signed on October 21, 2009, 1072/2009.

The document sets out the rules for access to the international freight market. The license is valid for up to 10 years. A license is a mandatory document, the availability of which is strictly controlled by representatives of the competent authorities. If road freight transportation in Europe is carried out without permits, the carrier company faces a large fine, the amount of which can reach 15 thousand euros.

Documents for road transport in Europe

To make international flights, you must comply with the requirements in force in the EU countries. The rules for the carriage of goods in Europe by truck require the driver to have a package of accompanying documentation:

• Documents confirming the right to drive a vehicle (registration certificate, driver’s license).
• Bill of lading in CMR form. The paper is filled out by the shipper according to the sample provided by the employees of the transport company, confirms the existence of a contract for the transportation of goods. The document defines the responsibility of the parties – the sender, recipient, carrier.
• TIR customs transit document. Mandatory accompanying paper, which will allow you to freely cross the borders of other states and deliver goods to their destination in a sealed body.
• ECMT permit, which for a certain period makes it legal to stay and travel through the territory of the countries participating in the agreement signed by representatives of 54 states. Among them are Great Britain, Spain, Poland, Turkey, Germany. Logbook.
• Environmental certificate issued according to the EURO-3, EURO-4, EURO-5 standards.
• CMR insurance document is a type of liability insurance for carriers to international destinations.
• Declaration T-1. Paper is necessary for unhindered transit movement through the territory of the EU countries.
• Declaration EX-1. Paper is necessary for the legal export of goods abroad.
• Accompanying documents for the cargo (invoice, certificate explaining the origin of the goods, packing list).

Features of road freight transportation in Europe are determined by the type of cargo being transported. If hazardous substances are to be transported, the driver must have special permits indicating professional training and qualifications. For the legal transport of hazardous substances, an ADR certificate is required within the framework of a valid ADR agreement.

Road freight transport in Europe: what has changed

The rules for transporting goods across Europe have changed in 2022. The mobility package is relevant for drivers and carriers operating in the EU countries. Updated Mobility Package (list of requirements for legal transportation of goods by road):

• Notification through a special IMI information system about the delegation of authority to the driver.
• Control of the driver’s remuneration in accordance with the tariffs in force in the country in which he stays and provides services.
• Registration of the facts of crossing the border using a digital tachograph, which is installed on board the vehicle.
• The interval between cabotage shipments (within one country) is at least 4 days.

Every 8 weeks, a truck must go to the base. From May 20, 2022, the cargo carrier will have to issue an EU license for the right to carry out transport activities. The changes affected the technical equipment of vehicles. Starting July 6, 2022, every truck must be equipped with sensors that monitor tire pressure and temperature. The requirement is relevant for trucks that are certified for the first time. The innovation is aimed at improving traffic safety on the roads.

Carrier companies of Ukraine and drivers working in them are currently guided by the requirements of AETR – the European Agreement governing the work of truck crews that make international flights. It is expected that in the near future, at least a number of points of the Mobility Package will become mandatory for carriers from third countries that are not part of the EU.

To make road transport in Europe, you will have to equip the car with a control system and speed limits. The system includes cameras that read traffic signs, which activates the driver warning unit to slow down. The driver is alerted in both audible and visual modes – the system beeps and the corresponding icon is displayed on the dashboard at the same time.

Freight transport market in Europe 2022: main trends and innovations

According to experts, the freight transportation market in Europe in 2022 will be affected by numerous risks, including a pandemic and political instability. There is an acute shortage of truck drivers in the EU, reaching 17% in 2022.

Forecasted business trends are the growth of rates for transport and logistics services, a focus on environmentally friendly solutions, an increase in demand for container transportation, and the acceleration of digital interaction processes with employees and partners. Among the promising solutions is the growth of collaboration (establishing partnerships with related business participants, combining services). It will be possible to minimize costs through effective management and digitalization of work processes.

Austria raises the wages of truck drivers by about 5% and introduces a CO2 tax of 30 euros per tonne. Belgium has revised rules for using a cell phone while driving trucks. The use of cell phones and the player is allowed if the device is fixed to the dashboard. The fine for non-compliance is 174 euros. In some regions, for example, in Wallonia, the rate of transport tax (toll) is increased.

In the UK, a bill on customs control and customs declarations came into force since the beginning of the year, which regulates the procedure for trucks crossing the border with the EU. Carriers are required to notify the competent authorities of the UK on the import of agricultural and food products. From July 1, enhanced phytosanitary control will be carried out – appropriate certificates are required.Carriers who send their trucks to the UK will have to register on a special resource GVMS (truck traffic service). After registration in the system, vehicles are assigned an individual GRM number. The GRM document contains information about the customs declaration. Crossing the border with the EU will take place under the new EES (Entry-Exit System), which will increase the procedure time.

In Germany, since the beginning of 2022, the wages of long-distance drivers have increased to 9.8 euros per hour. Drivers-foreigners who make international flights in Germany can count on a salary increase. The increase in the rate for delegated drivers occurred in France – up to 10.5 euros per hour.

In the Netherlands, travel to the territory of ecological zones in 14 cities will be possible only with a EURO-6 certificate. In the absence of a certificate, you can get a 1-day travel permit, for which a limit is set – no more than 12 permits per year per vehicle. There is a fine for smoking inside the cab of a truck, which is equivalent to a workplace. The amount of the fine for violating the norms of the anti-tobacco law is 450 euros.

In Poland, there are new penalties for drivers who violate traffic rules on the road. The maximum amount of the fine is 6.5 thousand euros. Responsibility for illegal manipulations with tachographs – deprivation of a driver’s license. The driver’s license will be withdrawn for a period of 3-6 months for the following violations:

• Lack of a personal card for reading tachograph readings.
• Using a driver card belonging to another person.
• Driving a vehicle without a tachograph registration sheet.
• Driving a truck with the tachograph turned off.

The government of Belarus has determined a list of goods that are prohibited from being imported into the country. The list includes products from the EU countries, as well as the USA, Canada, and the UK.