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Knowledge base
Knowledge base
Practical guides on transport to the UK, customs clearance, exhibition logistics and warehousing.
What is in the OTSL knowledge base?
The OTSL knowledge base is practical articles on international road freight: customs clearance and border procedures (SIVEP, GMR, PBN, ATA carnet), transport to the United Kingdom, Ireland and Switzerland, trade fair logistics, warehousing and returns. We cover the real risks and how to prevent them before they hit your cargo.
Articles are coming soon.
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Shipping Wine and Alcohol to Switzerland: Duty, Tax, Documents
Shipping wine and alcohol to Switzerland means three separate charges: customs duty on gross weight, import VAT and a…
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Machinery to Switzerland: Duty-Free, 8.1% VAT, Oversize
Shipping a machine to Switzerland has changed: since 2024 machinery enters duty-free, so the main fiscal cost is import…
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Swiss de minimis: when imports are duty and VAT free
Switzerland waives import tax when the calculated amount stays at or below CHF 5 per declaration. We explain the CHF 5…
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Declared value in CMR (art. 24 and 26): raise carrier's limit
The 8.33 SDR/kg cap is often far below the real value of the cargo. The CMR Convention gives two legal ways to raise…
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Courier, Pallet Freight or Full Load: What to Choose and When
Courier, pallet freight (LTL) or a dedicated truck? The choice comes down to weight, dimensions, value, urgency and…
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Official venue forwarder vs exhibitor forwarder: tasks breakdown
Understand the responsibilities and liability boundaries between the official venue freight forwarder and the…
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Transport and Import of Front Loaders from the UK
Guide to importing and transporting a front loader from Great Britain into the EU under CN 8430 69, including UK…
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Passar: Switzerland's new customs system after e-dec
Passar is the new customs platform of the Swiss BAZG authority that is gradually replacing e-dec. We explain step by…
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CMR Delay Compensation: The Cap Is the Freight Charge
For late delivery alone, the CMR Convention does not pay the value of the goods. Compensation is capped at the carriage…
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Swiss e-commerce customs: the CHF 100,000 threshold and Swiss VAT
Selling to Switzerland from an online shop? Once you pass CHF 100,000 in turnover from small consignments you become…
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Swiss Customs Duty Is Charged by Gross Weight, Not Value
Switzerland charges import duty by gross weight (a rate per 100 kg), not on the value of the goods. Industrial goods…
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How customs duty is calculated: customs value, rate and VAT
Duty is your customs value multiplied by the tariff rate, and import VAT is charged on the customs value plus that…
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Incoterms 2020 Explained: All 11 Rules in One Table (EXW to DDP)
A complete, citable table of all 11 Incoterms 2020 rules (EXW, FCA, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU, DDP plus the sea rules FAS…
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Trade Fair Marshalling Area: How Vehicle Queuing Works
The marshalling area controls lorry access to exhibition halls. Discover how queuing and time slot call-ups operate at…
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Transport and import of a skid steer loader from the UK
Rules for transporting and custom clearance of skid steer loaders imported from the UK to Poland and the European Union.
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Trade Fair Vehicle Pass: Issuance and Requirements
Exhibition vehicle passes explained: discover who issues the permit, what details must match, and how booking-in…
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Wheel Loader Transport and Import from the UK
Learn how to transport and clear a wheel loader from the UK to the EU. Technical details, bucket removal, and CN…
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Empty Case Storage at Trade Fairs: Where Crates Go After Stand Assembly
Learn where empty crates go after stand assembly at trade fairs, how empty case storage works, and how to avoid…
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Telehandler Transport and Import from the UK
Practical guide on transport and customs clearance (CN 8427 20) for telehandlers purchased at UK agricultural and…
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One route across trade fairs: ATA carnet and tour logistics
How to plan trade fair routes across non-EU countries? Learn the rules of ATA carnets, customs clearances, and tour…
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Mini Excavator Transport from the UK: Import and Customs
A practical guide to transporting and clearing a mini excavator (0.8–6 t) purchased at UK auctions for import into the…
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Importing Hydraulic Breakers from UK: Customs and Freight
Learn how to import hydraulic breakers and attachments from UK auctions to the EU. CN code 8431 49 rules, customs…
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Transport and Import of Temporary Fencing and Barriers from the UK
How to import and move temporary fencing and barriers from UK auctions to the EU. Key tariff CN 7308 requirements and…
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Transport and import of a crop sprayer from the UK: rules
A practical guide on importing and transporting a crop sprayer purchased at UK auctions. Key requirements, customs…
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Transport and Import from the UK: Dewatering Pump and Sets
Guide to importing dewatering pumps from the UK. CN code 8413, customs clearance, and consolidating equipment from…
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Transport and Import of Agricultural Balers from the UK: Rules
Learn how to manage the transport and customs clearance of agricultural balers purchased at auctions in the UK for…
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Screener Transport and Import from UK | CN 8474 10
How to manage out-of-gauge transport and EU customs clearance for 8–45 tonne screeners imported from auction sites in…
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Agricultural Trailer Transport from the UK: Customs & Logistics
A practical guide to importing agricultural trailers from UK auctions into the EU. Learn about CN code 8716 20, customs…
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Transport and import from the UK: motor grader clearance
Guide to importing a motor grader from the UK. Learn about CN code 8429 20, disassembly needs, and how length…
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Transport and import from the UK: asphalt paver
Guide to importing and transporting an asphalt paver from Great Britain. Screed securing, UK export, EU customs…
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Light Commercial Vehicle Transport and Import from Great Britain
A practical guide on importing light commercial vehicles from the UK, covering transport on autotransporters, CN code…
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Seed Drill Transport and Import from UK: Customs & Logistics Guide
Guide to importing and transporting seed drills from the UK to the EU. Customs classification CN 8432 31, folding…
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Transport and Import of a Construction Air Compressor from the UK
Guide to importing and transporting construction air compressors from UK auctions. Learn about customs clearance and…
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Transport and Import of Crawler Dozers from the UK
A guide to transporting and customs clearing a crawler dozer imported from the United Kingdom to the EU, including CN…
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Transport and import of a road roller from the UK
A practical guide to importing and transporting a road roller from the UK to the EU. Trailer requirements, CN code 8429…
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Transporting a Lighting Tower from the UK: Import and Customs
Guide to groupage transport and customs clearance for lighting towers imported from UK auctions into the EU under CN…
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