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Do you need a bonded warehouse?

Discover how a bonded warehouse enables logistics businesses to offer customs duty delays and secure storage for global logistics.

What is a bonded warehouse?

Running a haulage company or managing road freight in the UK means you’re always looking for ways to scale operations. As your business grows, you may find that handling larger volumes of goods requires a solution that helps with customs duties and storage. This is where a bonded warehouse comes into play.

A bonded warehouse offers several advantages for those involved in logistics, particularly for businesses working internationally. But how does it differ from an ETSF (External Temporary Storage Facility), and when should you consider one over the other?

What is a bonded warehouse?

A bonded warehouse is a secure storage facility where imported goods can be held without immediate payment of customs duties and VAT. These fees are only paid once the goods leave the warehouse, making it easier for haulage companies and freight forwarders to manage cash flow.

The primary benefit of using a bonded facility is the ability to store goods for an extended period without having to worry about customs duties straight away.

This can be especially helpful if your business is importing goods in large volumes, allowing them to defer payments until the items are ready to be distributed. If you regularly deal with international trade, this storage option offers flexibility, making it easier to manage stock and ship goods efficiently.

Bonded warehouses also provide added protection, as they are often monitored and regulated by customs authorities. This means your goods are stored safely until they’re ready to be shipped or sold, adding an extra layer of control over your supply chain.

When do you need a bonded warehouse?

For haulage companies expanding their fleet and services, a bonded warehouse becomes a smart choice when managing a high volume of goods, especially for businesses importing and exporting. If you’re handling products that will stay in storage for a while, the delay in paying customs duties can help free up your capital for other business expenses.

You may also benefit from using a bonded warehouse if you’re working with fluctuating markets or need more flexibility in when and where goods are delivered. It allows you to keep your products stored until it’s the right time to sell or ship, making your logistics more adaptable to market demands.

Another scenario is when your customers request international deliveries. If you’re moving goods across borders regularly, the bonded warehouse can simplify things by letting you handle larger shipments while reducing immediate financial pressure from duties and taxes.

Bonded warehouse vs. ETSF facility

While a bonded warehouse is all about delaying duty payments and providing long-term storage, an ETSF facility focuses more on temporary storage. ETSFs are places where goods can be held before they clear customs, which can be convenient if you regularly work on tight schedules.

In an ETSF, goods are stored for a short period before they either move into a bonded warehouse or are cleared and sent to their destination. ETSF facilities can be located near ports, airports, or even inland, making them useful for companies that frequently deal with imported or exported goods needing swift customs clearance.

The key difference between a bonded warehouse and an ETSF is the timing.

An ETSF is used for temporary storage, usually for goods that are still in the process of clearing customs. In contrast, a bonded facility is for longer-term storage, where you can keep goods indefinitely until you’re ready to pay customs duties.

For road freight shippers, understanding when to use an ETSF versus a bonded warehouse is important.

If you’re dealing with time-sensitive deliveries, ETSF facilities offer quicker movement through customs, allowing goods to be processed and moved along swiftly.

On the other hand, a bonded warehouse is ideal when your business is more focused on long-term storage and delayed payments.

Key benefits of using a bonded warehouse

One of the major advantages of a bonded warehouse is the ability to postpone duty and tax payments. This delay can significantly improve your cash flow, allowing you to reinvest the money saved into expanding your fleet or hiring more drivers. For haulage companies that work with large orders or need to store goods for a long time, the savings can be quite substantial.

Another benefit is the added security that bonded warehouses provide. Customs authorities oversee these facilities, meaning your goods are protected while in storage. This level of control can reduce the risk of theft or damage and give you peace of mind, especially when storing high-value items.

bonded facilities also make it easier to handle large or complex shipments without overwhelming your cash reserves. This flexibility is particularly useful for road freight shippers aiming to scale operations, as it allows them to import goods in bulk and store them until they’re ready for distribution or sale.

How ETSF facilities support growing logistics operations

ETSF facilities are a great fit for logistics companies looking to grow their operations, and are also used by NVOCCs and freight forwarders. These facilities support the quick clearance of goods at customs, which is especially useful if you’re handling time-sensitive deliveries or want to move products as quickly as possible.

Using an ETSF can make customs processing smoother and faster, keeping your deliveries on schedule. For UK road freight companies, this means you can maintain efficiency while scaling up. With the ability to store goods temporarily and push them through customs without delay, you can keep your fleet moving and reduce downtime.

An ETSF also helps when you’re importing or exporting on a regular basis. Instead of waiting for customs clearance at the point of entry, goods can be stored at an ETSF while you handle other aspects of the logistics process. This keeps your operations flowing smoothly without unnecessary delays.

Conclusion

For haulage companies and freight forwarders looking to expand, understanding the benefits of both bonded warehouses and ETSF facilities is important for making the right choice.

A bonded facility is ideal for those looking to store goods long-term and delay customs payments, offering greater flexibility and financial relief. In contrast, an ETSF is perfect for businesses needing fast customs clearance and short-term storage.

As your logistics needs grow, deciding whether a bonded warehouse or ETSF facility works best for your business can help you stay efficient, flexible, and competitive. With both options available, you can manage goods more effectively while scaling up your operations.

As a freight forwarder, offering specialist freight forwarding services can set you apart from the competition. By expanding your offering, you can cater to a variety of customer needs, making you the go-to choice for customers with specific requirements.

In this guide, we’ll explore the most in-demand services, and how a freight forwarders network like Haulage Exchange can help you find the right carriers to support you and your customers.

Specialist freight forwarding services and certifications

1. ADR (Transporting Dangerous Goods)

ADR, which is a French acronym for “European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road”, is required when transporting hazardous materials, including chemicals and flammable substances. 

This freight forwarding service ensures safe and legal transport across long distances, making it incredibly useful for industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing that require the movement of dangerous goods.

2. DGSA Qualified (Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor)

DGSA provides oversight for the safe transport of hazardous goods, ensuring compliance with safety and legal guidelines. 

This qualification is legally required for high-risk shipments, offering peace of mind to customers handling sensitive materials that require stringent safety measures.

3. FORS Bronze, Silver, Gold Certification

FORS operators demonstrate excellence in fleet operations, appealing to clients who prioritise safety and environmental standards. 

Bronze focuses on legal compliance, Silver on maintaining safety equipment, and Gold on managing noise pollution and emissions. A FORS accreditation assures customers that their goods are transported by a fleet committed to high operational standards.

4. Frozen Transport

Frozen transport is helpful for clients needing temperature-controlled transport for items like pharmaceuticals, perishable foods, or biological samples. 

By offering this freight forwarding service, you can guarantee that your customers’ items are kept at the correct temperatures throughout long-distance transit, maintaining their integrity and safety.

5. Garments On Hanger (GOH)

GOH is ideal for clients in the fashion industry who require wrinkle-free delivery of clothing items. 

Retailers, fashion designers, and garment manufacturers benefit from this service as it ensures that their products are ready to wear or sell upon arrival, maintaining their quality and presentation.

6. High Security Freight Forwarding Services

This means carriers can provide enhanced security for high-value or sensitive items, such as electronics, jewellery, or confidential documents. 

This service is suitable for customers needing assurance that their goods are protected during transit, reducing the risk of theft or damage.

7. Level A/B Aviation, Cargo Operative

This is necessary for customers needing to ship goods via air freight, such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, or urgent parts. 

This freight forwarder service ensures secure and compliant delivery to and from airports, crucial for goods that need to be transported quickly and safely.

7. Refrigerated/Chilled Transport

This is required for customers needing to keep items cool, such as dairy products, fresh flowers, or certain pharmaceuticals. 

This freight forwarder service maintains chill temperatures throughout the journey, ensuring that these products arrive in optimal condition.

8. Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)

Means secure and efficient customs controls, essential for customers regularly importing or exporting goods. 

This status ensures expedited customs clearance and enhanced security, making international shipping smoother and more reliable for businesses.

9. CMR Insurance Certification

CMR insurance provides legal protection for international shipments, which is required for customers transporting goods across borders, especially in the EU.

Similar to freight forwarder insurance, CMR ensures the security and compliance of items like furniture, electronics, or commercial goods, offering peace of mind and legal assurance during transit.

Find certified specialists on Haulage Exchange

Haulage Exchange can help you find specialist carriers to offer these freight forwarding services, providing several key benefits. 

With access to over 50,000 compliant vehicles, you can find the right vehicle for any job, ensuring you meet diverse customer needs. Sameday pickups ensure quick response times, enhancing customer satisfaction.

All carriers on HX are continuously monitored for compliance with industry standards, ensuring safe and legal operations. By using HX data to find competitive rates, you can offer cost-effective freight forwarding services. Real-time tracking allows you to monitor freight in transit, providing clients with accurate delivery updates and exceptional customer service. Additionally, streamlined payments with our new SmartPay functionality makes your accounting simple and efficient.

Find reliable carriers and cut your costs with Haulage Exchange

Today’s haulage industry is very different from the one that existed even 30 years ago. Where it once primarily centred around the transport of raw materials such as coal and metal, there is now a growing focus on consumer goods, spurred on by online retail.

Indeed, the keys to success are relatively simple: namely, that you need to establish a niche and keep your costs low. Of course, this is often easier said than done, especially for small companies who are just starting out.

That’s why we’ve written this article to help you. Sharing our top tips for starting a haulage company, we hope you’ll find it useful.

Tip #1. Identify your niche

When it comes to founding a haulage business, the best place to start is by deciding what sort of service you wish to offer.

While there’s nothing to say that you cannot operate in a variety of different areas, it’s often helpful to establish yourself in a particular niche, to begin with, in order to differentiate yourself from your competitors and attract some more specialist clients that need specialist freight services, before you seek to expand.

This could include areas such as livestock, waste disposal, parcel delivery, vehicle transport, or a whole host of other options, but whatever specialism you select, do make sure that you do your research first.

If there isn’t a large enough market out there for your services, you’ll struggle to get your idea off the ground. 

Tip #2: Decide on the size and type of fleet you want to build

When it comes to starting a haulage company, we would usually recommend starting out small as a precautionary measure, but this is entirely down to your discretion.

Although it can be tempting to go all-in, statistics from the Road Haulage Association show that many companies operate on a lesser scale, with 87 percent having fewer than five vehicles, and 57 percent have only one. The reason this is a sensible way to operate at the outset is because smaller fleets mean lower overheads – a handy asset in a highly competitive industry. This still gives you the option of building your business as you go, albeit in a more organic and sustainable manner than diving in headfirst.

Once you’ve settled on how many lorries or trucks you want, you’ll also need to decide whether petrol vehicles, diesel vehicles, or a more eco-friendly option will best suit your business, as well as what size and shape you would like your transport to be. These choices should be made with the services you offer in mind, to ensure that your fleet is ideally suited to the job at hand.

Do be aware, too, that vehicles over 3.5 tonnes will require an operator’s license if you wish to use them as part of your business. 

Tip #3: Choose a location

No matter your niche or the size of your fleet, you’re also going to require an operational base, for both storage and maintenance. The location of this is important and must be chosen with great care.

A key factor to take into consideration is whether or not there is easy access to important road routes, both for your own drivers and other companies who might deliver products to you.

You’ll also want to think about rental rates. While these are much lower for vehicle warehousing than they are for standard commercial properties, they still vary from region to region, with prices in London, for example, being around three times higher than in Scotland and Wales.

Remember, the less you pay, the lower your overheads will be, so be sure to weigh up your outlay against any access considerations.

Tip #4: Work out your costs

Even after finding a suitable location, there is more to think about before you sign on the dotted line.

It’s really important not to make any final decisions until you have taken into account all of the necessary considerations, and these include any regular costs you’ll be running. Along with staff wages, vehicle purchase and maintenance, and your rent, they will constitute a large part of your monthly outlay, so make certain that you factor them into your calculations. They include fuel, insurance, vehicle cleaning, and Vehicle Excise Duty, along with the costs we’ve already outlined above.

Tip #5: Be aware of your legal obligations

As you already know, vehicle insurance is mandatory, but it is not the only type of cover you’ll need. Public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance are also essential, as is the employer’s liability once you hire drivers and/or other members of staff.

With this in mind, you might find it easiest to get in contact with a company like Business Choice Direct when arranging your policies.

In addition to having proper insurance in place, there are certain other rules you’ll need to comply with, including tachograph legislation.

This was put in place to stop drivers from working past a set number of hours, and flouting it can result in severe penalties.

Tip #6: Starting a haulage company with a freight exchange

Last but not least, we’d recommend signing up to a website like Haulage Exchange. Created to make managing freight easier, it is designed to make the entire process of running a haulage company simpler and more streamlined. As well as allowing you to check the status of your freight operations at any time, it has a number of other handy features to help you out.

These not only make it easier to find compliant and trustworthy drivers for your company but can you save time and money too. When it comes to entering the competitive world of the haulage industry, the key to success is laying the groundwork in advance, and with these handy tips, starting a haulage company has never been easier.

If there’s one key to freight forwarding today, it’s efficiency. When a job comes in, you need to find carriers, fast.

Traditionally, you might have used your own mailing list to find a carrier. Equally, WhatsApp groups and Facebook groups are now commonplace. At best, though, such groups give you access to a few hundred businesses that aren’t necessarily verified or trustworthy

On Haulage Exchange, freight forwarders have access to 50,000 vetted vehicles.

To find haulage carriers for a load on Haulage Exchange, there’s no faff. You simply post the load to Haulage Exchange and wait for haulage carriers to contact you – which they will, with quotes, within an average of 4 minutes.

Which means you can scale your fleet without hiring permanent staff or buying new vehicles, and adapt to changes in seasonal demand with ease.

Here’s how it’s done.

Step 1: Hit ‘Post Load’

Although Haulage Exchange grants you tech that improves every aspect of forwarding, there’s one particular aspect you’re interested in here: posting loads.

So, once you’re logged in to Haulage Exchange, simply hit Post Load.

Step 2: Add load details

Next, you’ll see a popup box asking you for certain details about the load. So, add the details.

Let carriers know:

Step 3: Post the load

Once you’ve filled in the load details, hit ‘Post Load’. Your load will be posted to the Exchange instantly.

If you’re posting a repeat load, even better: you can hit ‘Post Load & Save for Repeat Use’. That way, you won’t need to fill in the load details the next time the job comes in.

Step 4: Wait 4 minutes

At this point, you might want to make yourself a cup of tea. Or check your inbox.

You won’t want to get into anything too absorbing though: it takes, on average, just four minutes to begin receiving quotes from haulage carriers.

Step 5: Take your pick of haulage carriers

You’ll most likely get a few quotes from carriers… so you’ll have to choose between them. How?

Well, price is going to be a consideration. But carriers on HX also have feedback from other freight forwarders. So you’ll be able to see past performance and choose your carrier accordingly.

Oh, and all Exchange carriers have access to Trustd, pioneering technology that monitors compliance in real time.

By working with a Trustd carrier, you’ll always know who you’re working with and can always trust who you’re working with. It’s a new compliance standard in an industry where compliance is crucial, and we’re one of the few freight exchanges that uses it.

Need load updates?

Not a problem. With HX’s tech, you can receive emails on load updates, you can make sure your customer receives load update emails, and you can even track the load’s location in real-time through our Freight Vision app.

As we like to say, with HX, freight forwarders don’t just get access to 50,000 haulage carriers on demand.

You get a tech suite to run make freight forwarding simple.

Get access to 50,000+ vehicles on Haulage Exchange

Sign up

Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) carry essential loads up and down the UK, delivering everything from food to building materials. HGV owner driver jobs are, therefore, pivotal to the economy, making the current shortage of drivers a real concern.

The Road Haulage Association estimates there is a shortage of around 100,000 drivers in the UK. It’s been caused by a perfect storm of events and issues.

Brexit has meant many drivers have left the UK to find work back home or in countries remaining in the EU. Others, paid by the mile, have been deterred by delays caused by Brexit bureaucracy. And with the drop in value of the pound versus the euro, being paid in pounds has become less attractive to drivers from mainland Europe.

Drivers’ pay has also been hit by IR35 tax rules around self-employment, with drivers now having to pay more in tax and national insurance contributions.

The Covid-19 pandemic has, of course, played a major role in the driver shortage, with many drivers returning to their home countries as the UK locked down. Allied to this, there is now a substantial backlog in HGV driver tests, preventing new drivers from getting out on the road.

To help tackle the shortage, the government recently announced new measures, designed to boost the recruitment and retention of drivers. Our guide gives you useful information on how to join this in-demand profession.

What are the responsibilities of a haulage driver?

As well as transporting goods using large lorries, HGV drivers usually have these responsibilities:

What is the average salary for a haulage driver in the UK?

As demand for drivers has shot up, the financial rewards have become more and more attractive. According to Totaljobs, the average HGV driver in the UK earns £32,500 per year*. 

However, with the national shortage of drivers hitting multiple industries many are offering much more than this. Waitrose is offering up to £53,780 annually, while Tesco and Waitrose have introduced joining bonuses of £1,000. One recruitment specialist is even paying £5,000 for new drivers to become qualified.

What qualifications does a haulage driver need?

There are various routes into a driving role, but if you choose the intermediate apprenticeship route, you’ll usually require some GCSEs, including Maths and English.

You’ll also need:

LGV licences come in different categories:

To drive vehicles with trailers, you’ll need to take a category C+E test.

You can apply for government-subsidised HGV driver training, at 60 locations across the UK.

What skills make a great haulage driver?

In addition to being a competent driver, HGV drivers need a particular set of skills:

If you want to become a HGV driver, you’ll also need some knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits. It may also help if you have a flexible attitude towards spending nights away from home and working in an environment where space is restricted.

What are the benefits of being a haulage driver?

As drivers are more in demand than ever, it’s an industry that offers stability and security. With home deliveries of all kinds of goods rising sharply during the pandemic, it’s also an industry on the up, presenting you with long-term career prospects.

Some people hate the thought of being stuck in an office 9-5. Being a haulage driver gives you much more freedom and keeps you moving all day, meeting new people as you deliver loads.

Once you’ve qualified as a HGV driver, Haulage Exchange can help you to find regular, well-paid work. With over 8,000 professionals using the Exchange – and thousands of new truck loads posted daily – it offers great business and networking opportunities.

*As per available figures on Totaljobs as of 1 August 2024: https://www.totaljobs.com/salary-checker/average-hgv-drivers-salary 

Gregor Gowan, resident journalist at Trans.iNFO, had a chat with Founder and CEO Lyall Cresswell, on the digital evolution within the logistics marketplace and how Transport Exchange Group’s freight tech solutions are at the forefront of this movement.

Lyall also touched on core product offerings, the competitive climate of the marketplace, current developments and more.

To read the full interview, click here.

As the latest Brexit deadline draws ever nearer, the uncertainty surrounding if, when, and in what form Brexit will occur only continues to grow. One thing that is certain, however, is that logistic companies cannot afford to go unprepared. If Brexit does happen this October, and particularly if a deal isn’t reached in time and the UK crashes out of the EU with no deal, then making adequate preparations will be the key to surviving the initial chaos that the UK’s exit from the EU will likely spark.

The freight industry, placed as it is at the literal border between the UK and the EU, promises to be one of those most affected by Brexit. To help mitigate the impact on your freight forwarding business, we’ve put together these top tips for creating a Brexit action plan. Our list covers the most important things to consider in preparation for Brexit, as well as some top tips on how best to ready your business for life outside the EU.

Customs and tariffs

Understanding the impact of new duties on imports will be a key part of your preparation. Research both the financial and administrative cost of these new duties. Consider how your business will adapt – what new approvals will you need? what costs will you incur? It is particularly important to ask whether you are at risk of having to pay multiple duties if you operate across Europe.

Re-examining your contracts, identifying those with clauses reliant on the UK’s membership in the EU, and understanding how easy or difficult it might be to renegotiate or leave these contracts is another important step towards being prepared for Brexit. While thinking of the future, also begin to identify what safeguards you might want to include in new contracts as protection against uncertainties, as well as updating your freight forwarder insurance coverage.

VAT

Sales of some goods between the UK and the EU will, when the UK leaves, become imports and exports for the purposes of VAT. Preparing for the possibility of increases in costs and in administration will be vital to your Brexit preparations and to protecting your cash flow and remaining profitable.

Systems and data

New importing and exporting activities will require new data to be captured and made available in support of the receipt and dispatch of goods and the declarations that accompany them. How will this data be managed, and what new systems will you need to implement to accomplish this? An audit of your existing systems will help identify issues before they occur.

Lead times

One of the unavoidable realities of Brexit is that it is going to make everything take longer. Customs bottlenecks are certain to be a feature in the post-Brexit landscape, and this will have particularly dramatic repercussions when it comes to moving goods – especially if those goods have short shelf lives. If this is something likely to affect your business, it’s worth building contingencies to account for these issues now.

Grants and incentives

There are a whole plethora of grants and incentives stemming from the EU that go to benefit EU businesses, and it’s very likely that you benefit either directly or indirectly from some of this funding. Accounting not only for how this will affect you, but also trying to appreciate how potential changes to this funding might affect the decisions your business partners and clients make in the future will be a useful preparatory exercise.

Join a freight platform

Freight platforms such as Haulage Exchange have the potential to mitigate the impact of many of these changes. Offering end-to-end, real-time freight management, Haulage Exchange can help streamline your processes and provide you with a platform to move your loads safely to and from the UK, while offering specialist freight forwarding services. Some of the benefits of Haulage Exchange include:

The ease of finding carriers

With well over 50,000 vehicles available across the UK and Europe, having access to the Haulage Exchange network means never having to risk letting your customers down. The exchange allows you full control – post freight, search for carriers, and track and communicate with the sub-contractors you are using.

The Haulage Exchange is an accredited business and only enables access to professional trade-only carriers that have been vetted and are compliant. The built-in feedback system adds a further level of insurance for members looking for a prospective driver, meaning you can increase capacity in an adaptive and intuitive way.

Innovative technology

The Haulage Exchange makes use of cutting edge technology to enhance the experience from both load poster and carrier perspective. The exclusive driver application means carriers can stay connected to the Exchange while on the move, giving them the ability to update their status, availability, and current load details, to allow members to make an informed decision before offering new work.

Once a member has decided to subcontract to a carrier the system ensures seamless load management throughout the journey. Carriers can update members with real-time ETAs and can provide PODs at the completion of a load. Finally, the app also offers the ability to create invoices and send paperwork digitally – cutting down on both printing and administrative costs. The system is also HMRC Making Tax Digital compliant meaning in a single click you can submit data to HMRC for your VAT return.

The mobile app also operates as part of the Exchange’s mission to offer complete online logistics and load management solutions to its members. Working with high profile partners, the Exchange can integrate telematics into members’ existing platforms and TMS systems. Some of the Haulage Exchange’s sixteen partners include Teletrac Navman, TomTom Telematics, Masternaut and Causeway.

Final thoughts

The only certainty of Brexit is uncertainty, but for freight forwarding software companies, proper preparation and planning can go a long way to alleviating worry. Many of the difficulties likely to arise from Brexit will involve the increased costs and administrative headaches precipitated by new duties, legal requirements, and customs processes. Luckily, tools like those offered by Haulage Exchange can go a long way to mitigating these issues by offering a more streamlined and centralised way of managing the logistics of freight movement.

By making good use of these tools as part of a broader preparedness initiative, freight forwarding businesses can make Brexit’s October 31st deadline just a little bit less scary.

Improving efficiency, creating less time between loads and increasing productivity are all vital to the long-term success of haulage; especially for independent workers or small companies.

One of the best ways to ensure no journey is wasted, no matter the distance, is by securing a return load for your HGVs – you can ensure that all costs are covered.

From cross-continent travel to in-country deliveries, haulage return loads can help to mitigate those costs and ensure you’re getting the most use out of your vehicles as possible. 

How do you find those return loads when you get to where your delivery is due?

Here are some tips to ensure you’re rarely left with no cargo, whatever your current requirements are: 

1. Speak directly to the company you’re dropping off a load to

It may seem like the most obvious option, but many individuals forgot to consider their current customer as the potential source of their next job. But in the case of many HGV owner driver jobs, especially between set points, there is plenty of opportunity for return loads from the same source.

The best way to ensure you have a return load from the same company is to talk to them in advance, to confirm if there are any return loads required. Return loads can even be planned as part of the work you do for the company, making it more reliable for you and more cost-effective for them. 

If there’s nothing available at the time, it’s still worth checking on arrival to confirm if plans have changed and they have any last-minute requirements.

While this requires slightly more flexible working, it can pay off in the long run by proving your reliability to that company, as well as keeping your HGV full at all times. You don’t know until you ask. And asking is probably one of the best ways to gain access to work that might otherwise be unavailable.

Speak directly to the company you’re working with, and you’ll be able to get a yes or a no then and there. 

2. Network with other haulage companies in the area

Networking is vital for a wide range of roles and industries today, and haulage is no exception to these rules. Contacting companies in the area that you have a good relationship or a history with is the ideal way to gain access to potential jobs from businesses, as they will already know the quality and standard of your work.

While, again, it’s better to schedule return loads in advance once you have that initial load confirmed, you may also find plenty of last-minute work on the cards if you take the time to call. If a company is familiar with the work that you do, they’re far more likely to hire you for haulage even at the last minute, especially when there’s seasonal demand for HGVs.

For areas where you don’t have many connections to call on, networking with new haulage companies can be an effective alternative.

Using Google, it’s possible to find a wealth of information on businesses in the area that may need your services.

Don’t be afraid to drop them a line and find out if they require some urgent help, or even to schedule a return load in for a few weeks. 

3. Sign up to a haulage exchange to find return loads quickly and easily

An innovative and practical way to find return loads on a fast turnaround, platforms like Haulage Exchange are specifically designed to find work on an intentional professional platform.

These exchanges can provide a whole wealth of information to drivers and businesses alike, with anything from extra capacity on HGVs to load quotes available in moments. Even better, every driver is fully compliant and trustworthy, meaning that businesses will know they can trust you with their loads.

Other functionalities included in Haulage Exchange include integrated telematics, perfect for partnered companies, as well as time-saving features such as electronic POD and a real-time ETA. Handy for both drivers and haulage companies alike.

The addition of the new Freight Vision app provides even more functionality to the system, making it an ideal fleet management tool and a quick way to find return loads professionally. Signing up to haulage exchange offers excellent benefits, and makes it easy for you to be seen by businesses of all shapes and sizes.

While the other methods on this list require specific additional effort and input, Haulage Exchange makes the process streamlined and smooth. For drivers with little time on their hands, this often makes a platform like a haulage exchange the ideal choice.

If you’re struggling to find return loads for HGVs, then the top tips above might provide you with the insight you need to work as efficiently as possible.

If you would like to find out more about how the Haulage Exchange can help and your business please give us a call on 020 8993 7100. Looking for a specific location? Find return loads in Devon, as well as return loads to Scotland, and London.

Access 19,000+ daily return loads on Haulage Exchange

Helping Hauliers Fight Back

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that there are unscrupulous crimes all over the country whose main mission in life is to prey on hardworking drivers and steal their loads. One of the hottest spots (and for once this isn’t an honour to be proud of) for theft is North Yorkshire, but with the launch of Op Cargo, the police and NaVCIS (National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service) are looking to change that. Haulage companies operating in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas will no doubt be relieved that more is being done.

The Operation in Action

The aim of the initiative is pretty clear: to tackle rising cargo thefts. It intends to do this in a number of ways.

Early Results Encouraging

In the first two weeks after the initiative was launched some promising results emerged, with numerous arrests taking place. A spokesperson for the North Yorkshire police said that by carrying out their stepped up patrols (both day and night) and being highly visible and proactive in their approach, they believe criminals are already thinking twice about carrying out theft in the region.

Of course this is really good news for haulage, but the police say that drivers also have to play their part. They are encouraging them to make sure they don’t frequent isolated service areas, but instead choose somewhere like the Coneygarth services, if possible, which puts a high focus on security.

Cargo theft is a nasty problem, but with the success of initiatives like Op Cargo, perhaps more and more areas around the country will begin to tackle it head-on.

Being a member of the Haulage Exchange platform isn’t just about buying and selling delivery work. Your membership means you’ve got access to a huge community of industry peers, with the opportunity to share news, build networks and find out about initiatives such as this one.

Logistic industry associations speak out as the new anti-pollution legislation threatens companies and their city transport contracts, arguing that the rules were set by the government and local councils without sufficient reflection on the effects they will have on freight forwarders and hauliers.

Four Industry Leaders Speak Out

I think we can all agree that the sudden barrage of new rules set by the government on haulage and freight forwarding companies to protect the environment didn’t give the road transport sector enough consideration. These regulations threaten to put city logistics out of business. However, a few industry heroes have voiced their concerns and have come up with a plan to champion the cause for haulage firms and protect their city HGV contracts.

 The Way Forward Plan

The FTA, RHA, BVRLA, and NFDA have joined forces to ensure that HGVs aren’t priced out of operating in cities. They’ve met with several MPs to discuss their six-point plan. The Way Forward plan will support clean air zone regulations, while also giving haulage companies the time to gradually invest in cleaner vehicles and make their operations more environmentally friendly. It also suggests a smarter way to use roads to avoid congestion.

Gary Keaney, chief executive of BVRLA knows that haulage companies can reach the government’s air quality target but added that we need financial support to upgrade our fleets and decrease the carbon footprint of our operations.

Sue Robinson, who is the director of the NFDA, also argued that a progressive plan was the best way forward. It would allow haulage companies the time to improve their fleets by trading in polluting diesel HGVs for cleaner Euro-6 or Euro-5 trucks.

The meeting was a success as ministers have since admitted that charging freight forwarders who have transport contracts in cities should be a “last resort”.

While juggling the increasing demand for logistics-related services and the greenhouse gas emission target set by the government is a challenging one, the FTA and its partners continue to protect the industry from being priced out.

Shield yourself from further threats by joining Haulage Exchange and building long-lasting relationships with other haulage and freight forwarding companies.

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