European haulage since 1973
European road freight and UK to Europe haulage
We've moved freight across Europe since 1973: daily routes across all European countries, groupage, part loads or a full dedicated trailer, with our in-house customs team handling the paperwork. One dedicated contact takes it from collection to delivery.
Europe
Scheduled routes across all European countries
6 daily
Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands
53 years
Moving freight across Europe
100% in-house
Customs handled by our team
Routes and frequencies
Scheduled services across Europe
We run scheduled services across all European countries, daily to the core markets. Need somewhere not on the list, or a dedicated run on demand? Tell us where and we'll sort it.
- Daily
- Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands
- Twice weekly
- Austria, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey
Load types
Groupage, part loads or a full trailer
We collect and deliver on the same vehicle wherever we can, which means less handling and one fewer transfer point.
Groupage
Shared load, also called LTL: your freight shares the trailer with other consignments, so you only pay for the space you use. Best for regular smaller shipments.
Part load
More than a few pallets but less than a trailer. The middle ground when groupage is too small and a full trailer too much.
Full trailer or dedicated
FTL: the whole vehicle for your freight, direct, when you’re filling it or the timing is critical.
The UK leg runs on our own liveried fleet; across the continent we use our own vehicles and an established European partner network, with your Sims contact accountable throughout.
Road and rail combined
Intermodal for quicker transits
On selected European routes we combine road and rail into a single intermodal movement: your freight runs on rubber (road) for the flexible collection and delivery legs, and on rail for the long trunk haul. It's often the quicker transit on longer corridors, takes trucks off congested roads and cuts the carbon per load. Tell us your route and we'll say whether intermodal is the faster option.
Customs included, not bolted on
One team for the road and the border
Crossing the UK-EU border means an export and an import declaration, a CMR consignment note and the right commodity codes. Our in-house customs team handles all of it on the same load, so your freight isn't held at the border or split between two suppliers. See our customs clearance service for the detail.
Hazardous goods on European routes
We're ADR (the regulations for carrying dangerous goods by road) specialists, so we carry dangerous goods on our European routes that most groupage carriers won't touch. See our hazardous and ADR logistics page.
Keeping production lines supplied
If you're a manufacturer running to a schedule, our regular European routes and JIT (Just In Time) delivery keep your raw materials and finished goods moving. See our manufacturing and JIT supply chain page.
Why Sims for European freight
53 years on the continent
53 years of European routes, our own liveried fleet plus a European partner network, an in-house customs team, ADR capability and a dedicated contact who knows your account. Members of BIFA (the British International Freight Association) and the RHA (Road Haulage Association), FORS accredited and ISO 9001 certified. Track every load with proof of delivery (POD) via the My Sims portal. For door-to-door multimodal arrangements including sea and air, see our freight forwarding service.
European freight, answered
- Which European countries do you serve?
Eighteen, with daily routes to Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, and twice-weekly to twelve more. Tell us your destination and we'll confirm the schedule.
- What is groupage, and when should I use it?
Groupage (also called LTL) shares a trailer between several consignments, so you only pay for the space you use. It suits regular smaller shipments; a full or dedicated trailer suits larger or time-critical loads.
- How do you handle customs after Brexit?
Our in-house customs team handles the export and import declarations, the CMR consignment note and the commodity codes on the same load, so there's no separate broker and no gap at the border.
- Can you collect from my site and deliver door to door?
Yes. We collect on our own fleet and deliver across Europe through our own vehicles and partner network, with one contact across the whole journey.
- Do you carry hazardous goods to Europe?
Yes, we're ADR specialists. See our hazardous and ADR logistics page.
- Do you offer rail or intermodal freight?
Yes, on selected European routes we combine road and rail into a single intermodal movement, which is often the quicker transit on longer corridors. Tell us your route and we'll confirm whether intermodal is the faster option.
- Do you cover Ireland?
Yes, daily, by ferry and road to the Republic of Ireland.
Move your freight across Europe with one team
Tell us what you’re shipping and where, and we’ll handle the road and the customs.