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Contract Logistics – Outsource Logistics Processes, Strengthen Your Core Business

Contract logistics is the long-term, contractually defined outsourcing of recurring transports to Speed Logistics – with fixed lane rates, guaranteed load space from the panel van (3.5 t) to the 40-tonne articulated truck and integrated customs clearance. It is the right fit as soon as transports occur regularly and tendering each shipment individually becomes too much effort.

High-bay warehouse for contract logistics with pallets

Contract logistics is a long-term, contractually defined logistics model: you outsource recurring transport and logistics processes to a specialised provider and gain predictable costs, guaranteed capacity and room to focus on your core business. Instead of tendering every shipment individually, you work with defined processes, dedicated contacts and agreed service levels.

As your contract logistics partner, Speed Logistics handles your recurring transport volumes – within Europe as well as to non-EU countries such as Türkiye, North Africa or the Gulf region, including full customs clearance. Our dispatch team is personally available around the clock and manages your traffic from the panel van to the 40-tonne articulated truck.

Scope of Services: What We Handle in Contract Logistics

The setup is tailored to your processes – typical building blocks of a partnership are:

  • Fixed lanes and framework schedules: recurring scheduled runs between plants, warehouses and customers with agreed collection and delivery windows
  • Capacity assurance: guaranteed load space from the panel van (3.5 t) to the articulated truck – even at peak times
  • Just-in-time supply of production lines with tight time windows and direct transports without transhipment
  • Customs and non-EU handling as an integrated process: export declaration, transit procedure and import clearance from EXW to DDP
  • Premium handling for sensitive and high-value goods that require particularly careful handling

Everything is managed from our dispatch team in Berlin: dedicated contacts who know your lanes, consignees and special requirements – instead of changing contacts for every shipment. Regular reviews of on-time performance and optimisation potential are part of the partnership, so that the concept improves over the term of the contract rather than merely running.

How the Start of a Partnership Works

It begins with analysis: we map out your shipment structure – lanes, frequencies, weights, time windows, customs requirements. On this basis we develop a transport concept with clearly defined services, processes and interfaces, backed by transparent pricing, usually as a framework agreement with fixed lane rates or volume-based rates.

Once operations start, a dedicated dispatcher supervises your traffic, monitors deadlines proactively and flags deviations before they become a problem. The concept remains scalable: if your volume grows or new lanes are added, we adjust capacity and schedules – without you having to run a new tender.

Who Benefits from Contract Logistics

Contract logistics pays off as soon as transports occur regularly: for industrial companies with series production and inbound supply traffic, for retailers with fixed distribution routes and for exporters with recurring non-EU shipments, where customs clearance creates the same effort every time. This is precisely where a well-rehearsed process saves time: documents, tariff classification and procedures are established after the first few shipments. The model is also attractive for mid-sized companies without their own traffic department: dispatch moves entirely to us, while you retain full control through fixed reporting channels.

When choosing a partner, a clean service description, transparent billing models and a concept that grows with your company are essential. That is exactly how we work: you receive an initial assessment from us within a few hours, based on fixed-price logic instead of vague surcharge lists.

The Cost of Contract Logistics

The cost structure depends on the scope of services, lanes, volume and contract term. Common models are fixed lane prices, monthly flat rates or volume-based tariffs – whichever suits your shipment structure. We only quote concrete figures after analysing your processes; in return they are then reliably calculated and free of hidden extras. Send us your key data – you will receive a no-obligation quote at short notice.

Contract Logistics vs. Individual Orders
CriterionContract LogisticsIndividual Orders
PricingFixed framework rates upfrontRenegotiated per shipment
CapacityGuaranteed, even at peaksSubject to market availability
ContactDedicated dispatcherChanging per shipment
CustomsEstablished process building blockNew effort every time
PredictabilityCosts calculable per laneUncertain per order

Frequently asked questions: Contract Logistics

What exactly is contract logistics?

Contract logistics is the long-term, contractually defined outsourcing of logistics processes to a service provider. Instead of individual orders, you agree on fixed services, processes and prices – for example recurring transports, just-in-time supply or non-EU traffic including customs clearance. You gain predictability in costs and capacity and relieve your own dispatch team.

From what shipment volume does contract logistics pay off?

There is no fixed lower limit. Contract logistics pays off as soon as transports occur regularly – for example weekly inbound supply traffic, fixed distribution routes or recurring export shipments. The benefit comes from well-rehearsed processes, secured capacity and framework prices. We analyse your shipment structure and tell you honestly whether a framework contract makes sense.

Can Speed Logistics integrate customs clearance into contract logistics?

Yes, this is one of our specialisms. For recurring non-EU traffic – for example to Türkiye, North Africa or the Gulf states – we handle export declaration, transit procedure and import clearance as a fixed process building block, from EXW to DDP. After the first few shipments, documents and procedures are established, which speeds up every subsequent shipment.

How flexible does a contract logistics agreement remain with fluctuating volume?

A good contract logistics concept is designed to be scalable. We agree on base capacity for your regular volume and keep headroom for peaks through our 24/7 dispatch – from the additional panel van to the extra articulated truck. If volume or lanes grow permanently, we adjust schedules and terms without you having to run a new tender.

How are services billed in contract logistics?

Common models are fixed lane prices, monthly flat rates or volume-based tariffs – depending on the scope of services, routes and contract term. What matters is a transparent billing model without hidden surcharges. After analysing your shipment structure we calculate reliable prices and disclose the components, so you can plan costs per lane and per period.

What sets contract logistics apart from placing individual orders with a forwarder?

With individual orders, every shipment is requested, priced and dispatched anew. In contract logistics, processes, contacts, capacity and prices are fixed in advance. This reduces administrative effort, secures load space even in tight market phases and makes transport costs predictable – especially valuable for just-in-time traffic and dutiable non-EU shipments.

Common mistakes when choosing a contract logistics partner – what to watch out for?

The most expensive mistake is a vague service description: without clearly defined services, time windows and service levels, on-time performance cannot be enforced later. Also watch for transparent billing instead of opaque surcharge lists, and for a concept that grows with your volume. That is why we start with an analysis of your shipment structure and set fixed lane rates – traceable per lane and per period.

Why contract logistics instead of individual orders?

Because well-rehearsed processes save time and money: contacts, capacity and prices are fixed in advance instead of requesting and pricing every shipment anew. This secures load space even in tight market phases and makes transport costs predictable. It pays off especially for just-in-time traffic and dutiable non-EU shipments, because documents and procedures are established after the first few shipments and speed up every subsequent one.

Request contract logistics

Contact our dispatch team – fixed-price quote within hours, available 24/7.