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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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High-Value Goods Transport to Switzerland
Watches, jewellery and electronics bound for Switzerland need more than standard freight. A declared value on the CMR…
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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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Sacroexpo in Kielce: moving fragile, high-value sacred art exhibits
Sculptures, stained glass, textiles and glassware for Sacroexpo: how to pack and insure them, when an ATA carnet…
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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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Stand storage between two shows in Kielce instead of the trip home
Two shows in Kielce in one season? The stand can stay in the OTSL warehouse 24/7: inspection after dismantling, repairs…
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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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UK exhibits for Targi Kielce after Brexit: ATA carnet and GMR
A British exhibitor in Kielce: ATA carnet or temporary admission, what to do with leaflets and samples, and why the…
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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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Clandestine entrants found in the trailer: what happens to the load
After clandestine entrants are found the load is of uncertain condition. The route from port to Milton Keynes, UV…
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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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Milton Keynes as a deconsolidation hub for container lines and NVOCCs
Cross-dock between port and consignees across England: how a point on the M1 shortens container turnaround and splits…
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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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Container devanning in Milton Keynes: FCL unloading near the M1
How to plan FCL container devanning from Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway or Tilbury at a 24/7 warehouse near…
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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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FBA prep service for freight forwarders: a stop in Milton Keynes
Goods from a container or from Poland get FNSKU labels, bags and compliant pallets in Milton Keynes before going to an…
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