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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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Fourth-quarter shipping: how to plan peak season without emergency surcharges
In Q4 demand for trucks rises, supply falls, and holiday calendars plus warehouse slots compress every schedule. A…
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How much does transport to Switzerland cost: what makes up the rate
Switzerland sits outside the EU, so every delivery is an export and an import, with two customs clearances, the LSVA…
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e-CMR: the electronic consignment note and what it changes for shippers
Between countries that are parties to the protocol, an e-CMR has the same legal force as the paper note. Electronic…
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ETS2 and CO2 in transport: why road freight will cost more from 2027
From 2027 fuels used in road transport fall under ETS2, a separate EU emissions trading system. Fuel suppliers will…
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EES and ETIAS: new border checks and what they mean for road transport
EES has been fully operational since April 2026, registering non-EU and British drivers biometrically at external…
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Transporting and Importing a Forklift Truck from the UK
Guide to importing forklift trucks from the UK to the EU. Covers mast disassembly, CN code 8427 20, battery transport…
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Tipper Truck Transport and Import from the UK: Customs Guide
A practical guide to transporting and clearing a tipper truck purchased at UK auctions for import into the European…
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Pallet deposits and pallet vouchers: what EUR pallet exchange really costs
EUR pallet exchange looks innocent until it stops working. When there are no pallets to swap at unloading, pallet…
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Strike, blockade, closed border: who is liable for your cargo (force majeure under CMR)
A strike or road blockade does not release the carrier automatically. Article 17(2) CMR requires proof that the event…
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Friday afternoon loading: why it is the most expensive shipment of the week
A 3 pm Friday loading starts four clocks at once: the driver runs out of hours, weekend driving bans begin, receiving…
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HGV driving bans in Europe: Sundays, public holidays and summer Saturdays vs your delivery date
Germany stops trucks over 7.5 t every Sunday and public holiday from midnight to 22:00, and on selected summer…
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Cancelling a transport order: what a cancelled truck really costs
The load „falls through" while the truck is already heading to the loading site. Why a cancelled vehicle costs money…
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Truck detention charges: who pays for a waiting vehicle and when the clock really starts
The truck waits at the ramp and the daily rate burns away. How free time for loading and unloading works, when…
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Cargo theft from a truck park: what carriers do not tell you about overnight stops
The typical cargo theft is a curtain slashed on an unguarded truck park at night. Learn why trucks park wherever the…
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Transport and Import of Plate Compactors and Rammers from the UK
Guide to importing plate compactors and rammers from UK auctions to the EU under CN 8429 40, including transport…
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When transport insurance will not pay: carrier liability exclusions, deductibles, gross negligence
Carrier liability insurance (OCP) protects the carrier, not your goods. Learn the typical policy exclusions: unguarded…
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Tower Crane Transport and Import from the United Kingdom
A guide to importing and transporting tower cranes bought at UK auctions. Customs requirements under CN 8426 20 and…
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Payment terms in transport: why 60 days with the cheapest carrier puts your cargo at risk
The customer pays the forwarder, the forwarder pays the carrier, and the carrier pays for fuel immediately. When terms…
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Fair logistics for Alexandra Palace London: access and customs
Technical guide on arranging road transport and UK customs clearances for exhibitions at Alexandra Palace in London.
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Reconsignment: changing the delivery place mid-route and who controls the goods
The goods are already moving and the customer wants them sent to a different address. The CMR Convention says exactly…
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What customs clearance really costs: the price components you learn about from the invoice
The advertised price usually covers a basic declaration under standard conditions. Extra HS codes, T1 transit…
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Transport to Switzerland in winter: passes, the night driving ban and route planning
Night driving ban, Sunday ban, border clearance and Alpine weather: a winter delivery to Switzerland needs a different…
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Cabotage and cross-trade: why "just drop these off around Germany while you are there" can be illegal
Cabotage has hard limits: 3 jobs in 7 days plus a 4-day cooling-off. See how it differs from cross-trade, what the…
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Fuel surcharge: what makes up a freight rate and why a guaranteed price still rises
A fuel surcharge is a mechanism, not a whim. See what a road freight rate consists of, how diesel indexation works and…
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Document neutralisation: delivering to the end customer without revealing your supplier
Document neutralisation lets you deliver goods to the end customer without your supplier and buyer ever learning about…
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Trade fair logistics: delivery of booth structures and exhibits to AMBEREXPO in Gdańsk
A practical guide to exhibition logistics at the AMBEREXPO centre in Gdańsk. Learn how to plan the delivery of booth…
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Your freight resold down a chain: middlemen and double brokering
Double brokering means your transport order is resold without your knowledge. See how the chain works, where liability…
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Trade Fair Logistics: Bath & West Showground Shepton Mallet
Guide to managing transport and customs for events at Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet using UK buffer…
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Trade fair logistics: delivery of stands and exhibits to Beaulieu Lausanne
Guide to trade fair logistics for Beaulieu Lausanne in Switzerland. Customs documentation, border clearances and venue…
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Trade Fair Logistics BERNEXPO Bern: Transport and Customs
Organising road transport and customs clearance for trade fairs at BERNEXPO in Bern. Border procedures, temporary…
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Trade fair logistics: Bournemouth International Centre delivery
Planning transport to Bournemouth International Centre? Discover customs rules, ATA Carnet procedures, and staging…
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Trade Fair Logistics for Brighton Centre in Brighton
Trade fair logistics for the Brighton Centre. Essential rules for delivering stand materials and exhibits to a congress…
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Trade Fair Logistics: Delivery to Business Design Centre in London
Guide to organising deliveries of stand structures and exhibits to the Business Design Centre in London including UK…
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When is Procedure 42 worth it? A decision guide | OTSL
Procedure 42 pays off when imported goods travel straight to a buyer in another EU country. Check the conditions…
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Trade Fair Logistics to Citywest Hotel & Event Centre in Dublin
A practical guide to trade fair logistics for Citywest Hotel, Convention and Event Centre in Dublin. Learn key…
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Statement on origin on the invoice: practice, REX and the EU-UK TCA
A practical guide to the statement on origin on the invoice: the required wording, REX registration for consignments…
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