Truck / Road Transport

The CMR consignment note is the key document for international road transport under the CMR Convention. It governs liability (max. 8.33 SDR/kg), obligations of all parties, and serves as the contract of carriage. Since 2008, there is also the E-CMR (electronic CMR).

Daily driving time: max. 9h (up to 10h twice per week). Break: 45 min after max. 4.5h. Weekly driving: max. 56h. Two-weekly driving: max. 90h. Daily rest: min. 11h regular (or 9h reduced, max. 3×/week). The 45h figure is weekly rest — not a driving-time compensation rule.

FTL (Full Truck Load) = entire truck for one shipper. LTL (Less than Truck Load) = partial load, multiple customers share the truck. FTL is faster & more direct; LTL is cheaper for small quantities below approx. 6–8 loading meters.

ADR is the European Agreement for the transport of dangerous goods by road. Drivers carrying dangerous goods need a valid ADR certificate (5 years). Basic courses typically exclude classes 1 and 7 (specialisation required). Small-quantity exemptions may apply.

Switzerland levies the LSVA (distance-related heavy vehicle charge) for all vehicles from 3.5t. It is calculated per tonne-kilometre and depends on vehicle weight and emission class. A 40t EURO VI semi-trailer pays approx. CHF 0.96/km (40 t × 2.39 ct/tkm ≈ CHF 95.60/100 km; source: FOCBS/BAZG). The LSVA is automatically recorded via the LSVA tachograph.

GDP (Good Distribution Practice) is the EU guideline for the transport of medicinal products. Pharmaceutical companies must prove that medicines were transported under defined temperature conditions. Typical: cold chain +2°C to +8°C, controlled ambient temperature +15°C to +25°C. Vehicles require calibrated temperature monitoring systems.