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Services

Road transport (FTL)

The whole trailer for your cargo, with no co-loads and no transshipment. One forwarder runs the job from loading to delivery. EU, UK, Switzerland.

Ask about transport / customs

FTL road transport at OTSL means full, dedicated loads across Europe, specialised in the EU, United Kingdom and Switzerland. The whole trailer is reserved for a single customer, and one forwarder runs each job: from choosing the trailer and booking the truck, through route planning, to delivery and paperwork.

FTL road transport (Full Truck Load) is a full-vehicle shipment in which the entire load space of one vehicle is assigned to a single consignment, with no consolidation with other customers' cargo.

What it covers

  • Matching the trailer type to the load: tilt, curtain-sider, mega, standard, BDE
  • Flatbeds and trailers for non-standard and abnormal loads
  • Reefers and temperature-controlled vehicles within one service
  • Route planning with sea crossings on UK and Ireland lanes
  • One forwarder overseeing the whole job and its status
  • Transport documents: CMR consignment note, guidance for customs and border procedures
  • Advice on securing and positioning the load on the trailer
  • Integration with OTSL warehouses in Kielce, Legnica and Milton Keynes

How we do it

We start with the load parameters: weight, dimensions, number of pallets, how it is loaded and unloaded, temperature and any ADR requirements. From there we choose the trailer type and payload so you neither pay for empty space nor exceed the permitted axle load.

We plan the route around the deadline and the lane: we select the UK crossing, factor in customs clearance at the border with the United Kingdom and Switzerland, and align delivery time windows. One forwarder runs the job from truck booking to delivery, so you have a single point of contact and a clear status at every stage.

Limits of the service (what it does NOT cover / what to know)

Correct securing and positioning of the load on the trailer is the responsibility of the party named in the order, in line with load-securing rules (standard EN 12195). We advise and provide equipment, but that does not release the loader from the duty to hand over goods ready for safe transport. In international carriage the carrier liability is set by the CMR Convention and capped at 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight short. For high-value loads this limit is often too low: the gap between the value of the goods and the CMR compensation is your loss unless you hold separate CARGO insurance. FTL transport alone does not include customs clearance or storage, but we combine it with those services in one order.

See also

We run this service end to end: from the truck arriving, through the paperwork, to unloading at the consignee. You talk to one account manager. They own the whole route and hold the deadline, even when the plan changes.

How we do it

Route with customs clearance: UK, Switzerland, Norway

  1. 01

    Loading and full paperwork

    We send the vehicle and secure the load. Invoice, packing list and EORI are checked before the truck moves.

    Loading site Loading and full paperwork
  2. 02

    Export clearance

    Our own customs agency files the export and prepares the transit documents. The driver has the full set before the border.

    Customs agency, PL Export clearance
  3. 03

    Border and crossing

    Ferry or Eurotunnel is booked in advance and the customs references are linked to the booking. The truck does not sit in a queue.

    Port / border Border and crossing
  4. 04

    Import clearance

    Import entry on the UK, Swiss or Norwegian side. We track the status until the goods are released.

    UK · CH · NO Import clearance
  5. 05

    Delivery and proof

    We deliver to the given address. You get proof of delivery and the full customs paperwork.

    Delivery address Delivery and proof

How we do it

Route across the European Union, no customs

  1. 01

    Loading and securing

    We send the right vehicle. The load is lashed to match what it is and pickup is confirmed.

    Loading site Loading and securing
  2. 02

    Driving across the EU

    There is no customs clearance inside the Union. No border stops, and you know where the truck is.

    European Union Driving across the EU
  3. 03

    Delivery and proof

    Unloading in the agreed slot. You get proof of delivery and the transport documents.

    Delivery address Delivery and proof

Frequently asked questions

How does FTL transport differ from LTL groupage?
FTL means a full truck load: the whole trailer space runs under one order, without top-ups or transhipments on the way. LTL is groupage, where you pay for the space you actually need. You choose FTL for larger, uniform or sensitive cargo that should travel straight from loading to delivery.
What trailers do you use for FTL cargo?
At OTSL, we run curtain-siders, mega, standard and BDE trailers, flatbeds for non-standard loads, plus reefers and vans within a single service. The forwarder matches the equipment to the dimensions, weight and type of goods, so the cargo travels safely and is easy to load and unload at the consignee.
Which directions do you specialise in for FTL transport?
At OTSL, we carry across all of Europe, with a specialisation in the European Union, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. For destinations outside the single market, such as the UK or Switzerland, we combine the carriage with customs clearance within one order. You can read more about clearances in our knowledge base.
Who is responsible for my FTL order?
Every order is run by one OTSL forwarder, from the truck arrival to delivery. It is the forwarder who confirms the date, looks after the documents and stays your single point of contact throughout the carriage. We run orders with our own fleet and a network of verified subcontractors, and the quotation and execution always stay under the same forwarder.

Related services

Groupage (LTL)

Part loads from a single pallet, ADR too, across Europe.

Read more

ADR transport

Dangerous goods with full documentation and securing.

Read more

Temperature-controlled transport

Reefers with the temperature logged for the whole route: 2-8 C for chilled, -18 C for frozen. Because one breach of the threshold can write off a whole batch.

Read more

What others won't tell you

The things forwarders would rather leave unsaid until it is too late. We would rather warn you before the load gets stuck.

Warning

Improper Cargo Securing: Roadside Inspection, Fines and Vehicle Immobilisation

Badly secured cargo is not only a crash risk. It can immobilise the truck at a roadside check…

See what can go wrong Warning

Axle overload: who pays the fine and when the loader is liable

The fine for an overloaded axle usually lands on the driver and the carrier, but sometimes the…

See what can go wrong Warning

CMR Damage Claims: Why You Only Have 7 Days for Hidden Damage

Visible damage must be flagged at delivery, hidden damage within 7 days. Miss it and CMR…

See what can go wrong

Knowledge base

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