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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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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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LCL deconsolidation in Milton Keynes: hold for customs release
How a groupage LCL container is split into consignments for several consignees, who authorises release and why goods…
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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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Loose-loaded container palletisation UK: hand unload in Milton Keynes
A floor-loaded container has no pallets: cartons are hand-unloaded, counted and palletised to the consignee standard…
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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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How a forwarder or 3PL starts with the OTSL warehouse in Milton Keynes
Data, booking, reporting: what we need from a B2B partner before the first receipt in Milton Keynes and how white-label…
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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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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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UV inspection report for cargo: what it shows and how insurers read it
A UV lamp shows where a trace sits on packaging but not what it is. What a UV inspection report from Milton Keynes…
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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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RDC rejected your pallets: five routes for the truck within 48 hours
A store or RDC has refused the delivery and the truck is still loaded. Five routes through a 24/7 warehouse in Milton…
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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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Pallet restacking to RDC standard: what the retailer gate checks
An RDC gate checks pallet type, height, weight, overhang, wrapping and label. How a pallet is rebuilt in Milton Keynes…
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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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