International Forwarding Association

30/09/2026

An industrial machine, transformer, vessel section or steel structure may be too wide, high or heavy for a closed standard container but still suitable for the container transport system. The practical choice is usually between a Flat Rack, which leaves the sides and roof open, and an Open Top, which retains side and end walls but permits loading through the roof opening.

An industrial machine, transformer, vessel section or steel structure may be too wide, high or heavy for a closed standard container but still suitable for the container transport system. The practical choice is usually between a Flat Rack, which leaves the sides and roof open, and an Open Top, whic...

30/09/2026

A T1 transit declaration is used mainly when non-Union goods must move under customs control before they are released for import or assigned another customs procedure. It allows the goods to travel from an EU entry point to an inland customs office, customs warehouse or another authorised destination while import duty, import VAT and applicable commercial policy measures remain suspended.

A T1 transit declaration is used mainly when non-Union goods must move under customs control before they are released for import or assigned another customs procedure. It allows the goods to travel from an EU entry point to an inland customs office, customs warehouse or another authorised destinatio...

30/09/2026

Consolidated air freight combines shipments from different customers moving on a compatible route and schedule. Each shipment keeps its own identity and documents, while the main air movement and part of the terminal handling are organised under a shared consolidation. For several cartons or a few pallets, this can avoid paying for capacity that the shipment does not need.

Consolidated air freight combines shipments from different customers moving on a compatible route and schedule. Each shipment keeps its own identity and documents, while the main air movement and part of the terminal handling are organised under a shared consolidation. For several cartons or a few p...

30/09/2026

Pharmaceutical transport in Europe starts with the approved conditions for the specific product. A refrigerated vehicle does not by itself make a shipment compliant, and there is no single temperature range that applies to every medicine. The transport plan must reflect the label, the marketing authorisation, the shipper’s quality instructions and a documented risk assessment.

Pharmaceutical transport in Europe starts with the approved conditions for the specific product. A refrigerated vehicle does not by itself make a shipment compliant, and there is no single temperature range that applies to every medicine. The transport plan must reflect the label, the marketing auth...

08/09/2026

IFA partners 2026

31/07/2026

Heavy machinery unloading is often treated as the final and simplest stage of transport, yet it can quickly become the most critical part of the entire delivery. A machine may arrive on time but remain on the trailer because access is restricted, the floor cannot support the load, the foundation is incomplete or the available lifting equipment is unsuitable for the actual working conditions. Poor planning can lead to costly delays, additional equipment mobilisation and postponed production, which is why unloading should be prepared as a coordinated technical operation well before the machine reaches the site.

Heavy machinery unloading is often treated as the final and simplest stage of transport, yet it can quickly become the most critical part of the entire delivery. A machine may arrive on time but remain on the trailer because access is restricted, the floor cannot support the load, the foundation is....

31/07/2026

The current regulatory basis for international road transport is ADR 2025. It became applicable on 1 January 2025, while ADR 2023 could continue to be used during the transitional period ending on 30 June 2025. Within the European Union, ADR is implemented through Directive 2008/68/EC, updated for ADR 2025 by Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2025/149.

The current regulatory basis for international road transport is ADR 2025. It became applicable on 1 January 2025, while ADR 2023 could continue to be used during the transitional period ending on 30 June 2025. Within the European Union, ADR is implemented through Directive 2008/68/EC, updated for A...

29/07/2026

Europe is not pursuing autonomous trucks simply because driverless vehicles look futuristic. The immediate problem is freight capacity. The latest IRU data indicate that around 502,000 professional driving positions are unfilled across Europe. Sixty-five per cent of operators identify the shortage as their main business concern, while roughly two-thirds have rejected new contracts because they could not find enough drivers. By 2030, about 660,500 European truck drivers are expected to retire.

Europe is not pursuing autonomous trucks simply because driverless vehicles look futuristic. The immediate problem is freight capacity. The latest IRU data indicate that around 502,000 professional driving positions are unfilled across Europe. Sixty-five per cent of operators identify the shortage a...

29/07/2026

A publicly advertised indicative price for moving a standard saloon from Frankfurt to Paris is approximately €300. Another published offer lists about €900 for a passenger car weighing up to 1.5 tonnes from the Munich or Nuremberg area to Sofia. These examples are not universal tariffs, and the longer journey is not simply priced at three times the shorter one. They reflect two different transport markets, with different vehicle flows, loading opportunities, delivery points and available capacity.

A publicly advertised indicative price for moving a standard saloon from Frankfurt to Paris is approximately €300. Another published offer lists about €900 for a passenger car weighing up to 1.5 tonnes from the Munich or Nuremberg area to Sofia. These examples are not universal tariffs, and the ...

30/06/2026

Not every product that enters Europe has to be customs cleared and released to the market immediately. For many importers, customs warehousing works like a controlled pause button: goods can physically enter the European customs territory, but the final commercial decision can be delayed.

Not every product that enters Europe has to be customs cleared and released to the market immediately. For many importers, customs warehousing works like a controlled pause button: goods can physically enter the European customs territory, but the final commercial decision can be delayed. A containe...