How road-freight pricing works: what is actually in a freight quote

Distance, direction and how busy a corridor is all move the price. High-frequency lanes with dense two-way traffic (Spain–France, Spain–Germany) cost less per loading meter than long or thin lanes (Spain–Sweden, Spain–Luxembourg), because the truck is more likely to run full in both directions. Scheduled groupage corridors are usually cheaper than an ad-hoc dedicated truck for a partial load.

On top of the base rate sits a diesel surcharge that tracks fuel against an official index. It can be positive or negative depending on how diesel has moved since the rate was set. It is a real, auditable cost — not a mark-up — and a transparent quote shows it as a separate line. Our fuel-surcharge guide and calculator explain exactly how it is worked out.

Within the EU there is no customs cost. For the UK and Switzerland, each consignment needs an export and an import declaration, filed by licensed broker partners in the destination country, plus any duty or import VAT payable by the importer of record. On grouped (LTL) loads this is a per-consignment cost, which is why very small UK or Swiss shipments sometimes price better inside a managed groupage service. See the customs guides for the full picture.

A few add-ons can apply depending on the load: ADR (dangerous goods) handling, temperature control for reefer freight, a tail-lift or manual handling at sites without a dock, timed or booked deliveries, and waiting time. None are hidden if you flag the requirements at quote stage — tell the dispatcher what the pickup and delivery sites need so the quote is right the first time.

Below roughly half a trailer, partial-load groupage almost always wins because you only pay for the space you use. Above about 15–17 pallets (or 12 tonnes), a dedicated full load usually costs less per pallet and skips the consolidation step. In the 10–15 pallet grey zone it depends on the lane and your delivery window — ask for both quotes. Our LTL-vs-full-load guide has the full decision matrix.

Six EUR pallets, 1.8 m high, 200 kg each, Spain to Germany. That is about 2.4 LDM and 1,200 kg actual weight; volumetric weight is well under that, so the load prices on loading meters. The base rate reflects 2.4 LDM on a high-frequency lane, the diesel surcharge applies on top, and there are no customs (intra-EU) and no extras. Run the numbers in the cost estimator for an indicative figure, then submit the quote form for a firm price.

Consolidate orders so a part-load becomes one efficient LTL booking rather than several tiny shipments. Stack where the goods allow it (the calculator halves the loading meters for stackable pallets). Be flexible on the day of week — midweek pickups often move faster than Friday. And give complete information up front so the quote does not need re-pricing for a surprise tail-lift or ADR class at collection.