What does a transport cost – can that be said across the board?

No. A serious price depends on distance, weight and volume, vehicle class, customs effort, toll and waiting times. Instead of made-up prices, Speed Logistics provides a binding fixed price after a short review – usually within a few hours.

Why is a direct transport more expensive than groupage?

With a direct transport one vehicle runs exclusively for your consignment, without transhipment via hubs. That costs more capacity but delivers the shortest transit time and the lowest damage risk – for urgent or sensitive goods usually the more economical choice.

What additional costs arise with non-EU transports?

On top of the pure freight come export and import handling, transit procedures (T1/TIR), preferential proofs where applicable, plus import VAT in the destination country. On request Speed Logistics bundles this into a DDP fixed price so you can calculate with a single figure.

Understanding transport costs: what really determines the price

There is no serious flat rate for an international transport – but there are clear cost drivers. Those who know them can assess quotes and plan the route economically. Speed Logistics turns that into a binding fixed price, usually within a few hours.

The most important cost drivers at a glance

Relative influence on the price – for guidance, no euro amounts.

Distance & routing

kilometres, border crossings, detours (e.g. Middle Corridor)

Weight & volume

determines the required vehicle class – volume often counts more than weight

Customs & non-EU

export, transit (T1/TIR), preference, import clearance

Direct vs. groupage

an exclusive vehicle without transhipment costs more, delivers faster

Toll & border fees

country-dependent, by axles/weight/emission class

Waiting & border times

demurrage, ferry slots (Caspian), ramp time windows

Season & capacity

holidays, harvest/trade-fair peaks, market availability

The customs process for non-EU transports: from EXW to DDP

Every stage causes effort and cost – Speed Logistics handles them from a single source.

1 Export declaration export customs in DE (ABD from EUR 1,000/kg)
2 Transit procedure T1 (NCTS) or TIR Carnet under customs seal
3 Preference & border A.TR / EUR.1, border crossing, ferry if applicable
4 Import clearance duty + import VAT in the destination country
5 Delivery (DDP) duty-paid to the recipient’s door

Incoterms: who bears which costs?

The Incoterms determine up to where seller and buyer bear cost and risk – from “ex works” to “delivered duty paid”.

Buyer bears more Seller bears more

EXWEx works – buyer takes over from the ramp

FCAFree carrier – incl. export

CPT / CIPFreight (+ insurance) to destination

DAPDelivered at named place, not cleared

DDPDelivered duty-paid to the door

EU single market vs. non-EU – the cost difference

Why non-EU transports are calculated with more effort
Criterion	EU single market	Non-EU
Customs clearance	not applicable	export + transit + import
Documents	consignment note (CMR)	+ ABD, T1/TIR, A.TR/EUR.1, EORI
Border times	free	clearance, ferry slots where applicable
Import tax	intra-Community	import VAT in the destination country
Price logic	freight + toll	freight + customs + waiting time + route

A binding fixed price instead of an estimate

Tell us about your transport – we calculate a fixed price, usually within a few hours, available 24/7.

Send enquiry +49 (0)30 346 467 850