What is a CMR consignment note?

The CMR consignment note is the most important document in international road transport. It is based on the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR) of 1956 and has been ratified by 55 states. It governs liability, compensation and the obligations of sender, carrier and consignee.

How long can a truck driver drive continuously?

According to EU Regulation (EC) 561/2006, the maximum daily driving time is 9 hours (up to 10 hours twice per week). A driving break of 45 minutes must be taken after a maximum of 4.5 hours. Weekly driving time must not exceed 56 hours, and the two-weekly total must not exceed 90 hours.

What is the difference between FTL and LTL?

FTL (Full Truck Load) means one shipper uses the entire truck exclusively. LTL (Less than Truck Load) is a partial load where multiple shippers share a truck and pay only for their loading meters used. FTL is faster and more direct; LTL is more cost-effective for small shipments.

What is ADR and who needs it?

ADR is the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road. It applies to all companies that transport, load or pack dangerous goods (classes 1–9). Drivers require an ADR certificate and vehicles must be specially equipped.

What does toll cost in Europe?

Toll costs vary greatly: Switzerland has the LSVA (distance-related heavy vehicle charge) for all trucks from 3.5t – approx. CHF 0.01–0.04 per vehicle km depending on weight and emission class. Germany has had a toll for all vehicles from 3.5t since 2023, with a CO2 surcharge since July 2024. France and Austria have their own toll systems.

What is cabotage in road transport?

Cabotage refers to the transport of goods within a foreign country by a transport company registered in another country. In the EU, a maximum of 3 cabotage operations within 7 days after an international delivery are permitted. After that, the vehicle must return to the home country.

What is GDP in refrigerated transport?

GDP stands for Good Distribution Practice. It is an EU guideline (2013/C343/01) that sets requirements for the transport and storage of medicinal products. Pharmaceutical companies must ensure that medicines are transported under controlled temperature conditions – typically +2°C to +8°C (cold chain) or +15°C to +25°C (ambient).

When does express transport pay off?

Express transport pays off for time-critical shipments (production stoppage, spare parts, perishables) where the higher costs are justified by the avoided damage. Same-day transport costs 3–10× more than standard groupage, but offers guaranteed delivery times of a few hours.

What is a tachograph?

A tachograph is a control device that must be installed in vehicles from 3.5t (EU regulation). It records driving speed, driving time, rest periods and driver activities. Since 2019, smart tachographs with GPS and GNSS are mandatory for new vehicles. From 2024/2025, older vehicles must be retrofitted with second-generation smart tachographs.

What documents do I need for international truck transport?

For international truck transport you need: CMR consignment note (mandatory for cross-border transport), delivery note, commercial invoice, customs documents (T1/T2 for non-EU), driver attestation (for third-country drivers in EU), and for dangerous goods all ADR documents (transport document, safety data sheet). For cabotage, also the proof documents of the preceding transport.

How do I calculate loading meters (LDM)?

Loading meters (LDM) = (Length × Width) / 2.40 m². The load width of a standard semi-trailer is 2.40 m. Example: 2 Euro pallets (1.20 m × 0.80 m) side by side = 1.20 m load length = 1 LDM. 2 Euro pallets in a row = 2.40 m load length = 2 LDM. A standard semi-trailer has approximately 13.6 LDM loading capacity.

What is billable weight in road transport?

In road transport: billable weight = max(actual weight, LDM × 1,750 kg). This means: if light, voluminous goods occupy loading space without reaching the weight limit, the "volume-equivalent weight" (1 LDM = 1,750 kg) is used as the basis. For heavy, compact goods, the actual weight applies. Freight forwarders always check weight, LDM and CBM.

What does a loading meter (LTL) cost?

LTL prices per loading meter vary greatly by route, carrier and season: Intra-Germany: EUR 35–80/LDM. European short-haul (CH/AT/FR): EUR 50–120/LDM. Pan-European (PL/ES/PT): EUR 80–200/LDM. Additionally toll surcharges, fuel surcharges (DEI), possibly dangerous goods surcharges and delivery surcharges.

What is the DEI (Diesel Energy Index)?

The DEI (Diesel Energy Index, also fuel surcharge or FSC) is a percentage surcharge on the net freight that links transport costs to the current diesel price. It is adjusted monthly or quarterly. Typical DEI: 10–25% on net freight. Analogous to FSC in air freight or BAF in sea freight.

When is FTL worthwhile compared to LTL?

As a rule of thumb: from approximately 8–10 LDM (or approximately 5–6 tonnes), FTL direct transport becomes economically worthwhile compared to LTL. FTL advantages: direct delivery (no hub), shorter transit time, lower damage risk, no handling fees. FTL disadvantage: costs rise disproportionately for small shipments. Use our calculator for exact calculation.

What additional surcharges apply in truck transport?

Typical truck surcharges: DEI (Diesel Energy Index, 10–25%): fuel cost linkage. Toll surcharge (TOLL): by route and length. ADR (dangerous goods): +15–50% on net freight. Island/remote: surcharge for hard-to-reach locations. Heavy goods (>5 t/axle): abnormal transport surcharge. Express: +30–200% for same-day or overnight. Waiting time: EUR 30–80/hour after 30–60 min grace period.

Truck Transport · Rates

Truck Rates & Loading Meters

Loading meter formula, interactive LDM calculator, billable weight in road transport, groupage vs. LTL vs. FTL, all surcharges (DEI, toll, ADR) – fully explained with total cost example.

13,6 LDM

Standard semi-trailer capacity

1 LDM

= 1,750 kg billable weight equiv.

2,40 m

Usable load width semi-trailer

The Loading Meter Concept

Loading Meter Formula (LTL Standard)

LDM = (L × B) / 2,40 m²

L = length in m, B = width in m | Usable width 2.40 m

Euro Pallet Reference

Layout

Pallets

LDM

1 EP lengthwise

0,50 LDM

2 EP side by side

1,00 LDM

4 EP (2×2)

2,00 LDM

10 EP (2×5)

6,00 LDM

Full semi-trailer

13,6 LDM

Truck Capacities Overview

Vehicle Type

LDM

Max. Payload

Sprinter / Transporter

3,0–4,0

800–1.200 kg

7,5t Koffer

5,0–6,5

2.500–3.500 kg

12t Koffer

7,0–8,0

5.000–7.000 kg

Gliederzug (Jumbo)

13,6

12.000–16.000 kg

Sattelzug (Standard)

13,6

22.000–24.000 kg

Mega-Trailer

13,6

24.000 kg

Billable Weight in Road Transport

Billable Weight Road Transport

Billable Weight = max(Actual Weight, LDM × 1,750 kg)

Standard density: 1 LDM = 1,750–1,850 kg | Groupage: 3 CBM = 100 kg

Groupage

Billing basis: 100 kg or 3 CBM

Formula: max(actual weight, CBM × 333 kg)

< 2 LDM / < 1,000 kg

LTL (Partial Load)

Billing basis: Per loading meter

Formula: max(actual weight, LDM × 1,750 kg)

2–10 LDM

FTL (Full Truck Load)

Billing basis: Flat rate per trip

Formula: Flat rate, independent of weight/LDM

> 10–13.6 LDM

LDM & Billable Weight Calculator

Shipment Data (per pallet type)

Pallet width (cm)

Pallet length (cm)

Number of pallets

Total actual weight (kg)

LTL Rate (EUR/LDM)

Result

LDM per pallet—

Total LDM—

LDM weight equiv. (1,750 kg/LDM)—

Actual weight—

Billable weight—

Net freight (LTL)—

Plus DEI (diesel index), toll and other surcharges. Net freight calculation only.

Truck Rate Structure Comparison

Shipment size

Type

Billing

Transit time

Cost/LDM approx.

< 2 LDM / < 1,000 kg

Groupage

per 100 kg

1–5 days

EUR 18–45/100kg

2–8 LDM

LTL Partial Load

per LDM

1–3 days

EUR 50–160/LDM

8–13.6 LDM

LTL/FTL boundary

per LDM / flat rate

1–2 days

EUR 40–100/LDM

13.6 LDM / 24t

FTL Full Load

Flat rate per trip

1 day direct

EUR 500–2,500 total

Special case

Express / Direct Transport

per LDM / flat rate

Same Day / 24h

+ 30–200 %

Truck Surcharges Overview

Name

Code

Amount (approx.)

Description

Diesel-Energie-Index

DEI

10–25 % auf Nettofracht

Fuel cost linkage – adjusted monthly

Mautzuschlag

TOLL

Route-dependent

EU toll pass-through (DE, CH, AT, FR, ES...)

Gefahrgut-Zuschlag

ADR

15–50 % auf Nettofracht

ADR classes 1–9, varies by class

Insellage/Remote Area

ISL

EUR 15–80 pauschal

Islands, alpine regions, remote locations

Schwergut

HVY

10–40 % auf Nettofracht

Individual items > 5t / bridge load classes

Wartezeit

DEM

EUR 30–80/h

After 30–60 min grace at loading/unloading

Liftgate / Hebebühne

LFT

EUR 30–60 pauschal

Required when no loading dock available

Terminalgebühr

TRM

EUR 15–45/Palette

Handling via hub / cross-docking

Zollager / Bonded Warehouse

ZLL

Day-dependent

Customs-legal storage (T1, T2)

Total Cost Example (ZRH → MUC, 3 LDM LTL)

Shipment: 6 Euro pallets (3 LDM), 2,200 kg, Zurich → Munich, benchmark values 2026

Net freight LTL (EUR 95/LDM × 3 LDM)EUR 285.00

DEI Diesel Index (+ 16%)EUR 45.60

Toll surcharge LSVA CH + toll DEEUR 28.00

Customs clearance export CH (T1)EUR 45.00

Customs clearance import DE (T1 clearance)EUR 40.00

Total Truck Transport (approx.)EUR 443.60

Pickup and delivery (first & last mile), possible waiting time and remote area surcharge not included. Benchmark values, prices may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms in Glossary

Loading Metre (LDM)Consignment Note Freight Rate Carrier

Euro Pallet Reference

Layout

Pallets

LDM

1 EP lengthwise

0,50 LDM

2 EP side by side

1,00 LDM

4 EP (2×2)

2,00 LDM

10 EP (2×5)

6,00 LDM

Full semi-trailer

13,6 LDM

Truck Capacities Overview

Vehicle Type

LDM

Max. Payload

Sprinter / Transporter

3,0–4,0

800–1.200 kg

7,5t Koffer

5,0–6,5

2.500–3.500 kg

12t Koffer

7,0–8,0

5.000–7.000 kg

Gliederzug (Jumbo)

13,6

12.000–16.000 kg

Sattelzug (Standard)

13,6

22.000–24.000 kg

Mega-Trailer

13,6

24.000 kg

Billable Weight in Road Transport

Billable Weight Road Transport

Billable Weight = max(Actual Weight, LDM × 1,750 kg)

Standard density: 1 LDM = 1,750–1,850 kg | Groupage: 3 CBM = 100 kg

Groupage

Billing basis: 100 kg or 3 CBM

Formula: max(actual weight, CBM × 333 kg)

< 2 LDM / < 1,000 kg

LTL (Partial Load)

Billing basis: Per loading meter

Formula: max(actual weight, LDM × 1,750 kg)

2–10 LDM

FTL (Full Truck Load)

Billing basis: Flat rate per trip

Formula: Flat rate, independent of weight/LDM

> 10–13.6 LDM

LDM & Billable Weight Calculator

Shipment Data (per pallet type)

Pallet width (cm)

Pallet length (cm)

Number of pallets

Total actual weight (kg)

LTL Rate (EUR/LDM)

Result

LDM per pallet—

Total LDM—

LDM weight equiv. (1,750 kg/LDM)—

Actual weight—

Billable weight—

Net freight (LTL)—

Plus DEI (diesel index), toll and other surcharges. Net freight calculation only.

Truck Rate Structure Comparison

Shipment size

Type

Billing

Transit time

Cost/LDM approx.

< 2 LDM / < 1,000 kg

Groupage

per 100 kg

1–5 days

EUR 18–45/100kg

2–8 LDM

LTL Partial Load

per LDM

1–3 days

EUR 50–160/LDM

8–13.6 LDM

LTL/FTL boundary

per LDM / flat rate

1–2 days

EUR 40–100/LDM

13.6 LDM / 24t

FTL Full Load

Flat rate per trip

1 day direct

EUR 500–2,500 total

Special case

Express / Direct Transport

per LDM / flat rate

Same Day / 24h

+ 30–200 %

Truck Surcharges Overview

Name

Code

Amount (approx.)

Description

Diesel-Energie-Index

DEI

10–25 % auf Nettofracht

Fuel cost linkage – adjusted monthly

Mautzuschlag

TOLL

Route-dependent

EU toll pass-through (DE, CH, AT, FR, ES...)

Gefahrgut-Zuschlag

ADR

15–50 % auf Nettofracht

ADR classes 1–9, varies by class

Insellage/Remote Area

ISL

EUR 15–80 pauschal

Islands, alpine regions, remote locations

Schwergut

HVY

10–40 % auf Nettofracht

Individual items > 5t / bridge load classes

Wartezeit

DEM

EUR 30–80/h

After 30–60 min grace at loading/unloading

Liftgate / Hebebühne

LFT

EUR 30–60 pauschal

Required when no loading dock available

Terminalgebühr

TRM

EUR 15–45/Palette

Handling via hub / cross-docking

Zollager / Bonded Warehouse

ZLL

Day-dependent

Customs-legal storage (T1, T2)

Total Cost Example (ZRH → MUC, 3 LDM LTL)

Shipment: 6 Euro pallets (3 LDM), 2,200 kg, Zurich → Munich, benchmark values 2026

Net freight LTL (EUR 95/LDM × 3 LDM)EUR 285.00

DEI Diesel Index (+ 16%)EUR 45.60

Toll surcharge LSVA CH + toll DEEUR 28.00

Customs clearance export CH (T1)EUR 45.00

Customs clearance import DE (T1 clearance)EUR 40.00

Total Truck Transport (approx.)EUR 443.60

Pickup and delivery (first & last mile), possible waiting time and remote area surcharge not included. Benchmark values, prices may vary.

Truck Rates & Loading Meters

The Loading Meter Concept

Euro Pallet Reference

Truck Capacities Overview

Billable Weight in Road Transport

LDM & Billable Weight Calculator

Shipment Data (per pallet type)

Result

Truck Rate Structure Comparison

Truck Surcharges Overview

Total Cost Example (ZRH → MUC, 3 LDM LTL)

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms in Glossary

Related Topics

Truck Rates & Loading Meters

The Loading Meter Concept

Euro Pallet Reference

Truck Capacities Overview

Billable Weight in Road Transport

LDM & Billable Weight Calculator

Shipment Data (per pallet type)

Result

Truck Rate Structure Comparison

Truck Surcharges Overview

Total Cost Example (ZRH → MUC, 3 LDM LTL)

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms in Glossary

Related Topics

All resources on road freight

Road topics & regulations