Transport: EU fuel prices rise, surcharge updates effective 29 September

Market today in figures (CargoNice data)

The Orlen diesel price stood at 7,36 PLN/l on 29 September 2026, down -0,08 PLN/l from the previous reading. The average diesel price in the EU was 2 226,44 EUR/1000L on 21 September 2026, while in Germany it was 2 457,00 EUR/1000L on the same day. The spot rate on the Poland–Germany route reached 1,91 EUR/km on 28 September 2026, while the load-to-truck ratio was 4,00 loads/vehicle.

The fall in the domestic fuel price does not remove cost pressure in international haulage: EU diesel increased by 67,70 EUR/1000L, while the Poland–Germany spot rate fell by 0,18 EUR/km.

Czechia: regulated prices and lower diesel excise duty in October

The Czech Ministry of Finance has announced the reintroduction of fuel price regulations from 1 October to 31 October 2026. The package is also expected to include a reduction in diesel excise duty. This is a significant change for carriers conducting regular operations to, from and in transit through Czechia.

For a freight forwarder, it will be crucial to separate two elements of the calculation: temporary retail fuel purchasing conditions and contractual provisions concerning fuel surcharges. A lower price at the pump does not necessarily mean a proportionate change in the surcharge if the indexation mechanism in the contract is based on a different indicator or reference period.

Before October loading operations begin, it is worth checking whether subcontractors’ offers already reflect both elements of the decision. Particular clarification is needed for quotations with a longer validity period, where fuel costs were calculated before the regulations were announced. Source: Czech Ministry of Finance

Schengen: pressure to change the stay limit for non-EU drivers

British and Eastern European carrier organisations have renewed their call for a change to the Schengen rule limiting stays to 90 days in any 180-day period. The issue concerns professional drivers from outside the European Union who repeatedly perform international haulage to countries in the Schengen Area.

According to an industry report, the full implementation of the EU Entry/Exit System at border crossings from 10 April is intended to enable the automatic detection of drivers exceeding the limit and the refusal of entry. This is not a change to rules already in force operationally, but it signals that monitoring use of the limit may become more effective.

The risk is particularly relevant to networks relying on carriers from the United Kingdom and the Western Balkans, whose drivers often operate recurring routes to the EU. When planning, it is worth verifying not only tractor unit and driver availability on the loading date, but also whether subsequent rotations can be performed legally over the contract horizon. Source: Transport Operator

Maersk: new inland surcharge rules for Poland, the Benelux and DACH

From 29 September 2026, Maersk’s revised fuel surcharge programme for intermodal transport covers FMC shipments in Poland, the Benelux and the DACH markets. The surcharges apply to the inland haulage of containers for imports and exports, carried out as part of inland transport arranged by the shipping line.

The programme uses EFS and IFS surcharge codes and is to be reviewed every two weeks in response to energy market volatility. In practice, the date on which a shipment is handed over may determine which version of the surcharge applies to a specific port-to-road or port-to-rail movement.

Freight forwarders should check how the effective date applies to transport orders already handed over and to quotations prepared before 29 September. When calculating the cost of container delivery, it is also necessary to distinguish ocean freight from the charge for the inland leg, as the programme concerns the latter. Source: Container News

In brief

• Denmark: From 28 September 2026, Blue Water Shipping reduced the fuel surcharge for road transport from Denmark to the rest of Europe to 89,30%, down from 89,80% the previous week. For the Denmark–Finland route, the table shows 90,90%, and for Denmark–UK/Ireland 90,80%. Source: Blue Water Shipping
• The Netherlands: DSV increased the fuel surcharge for its XPress product to 55,25% from 28 September 2026; the table is updated every Monday. Source: DSV
• Greece: In the first quarter of 2026, road haulage by Greek vehicles increased by 6,7% year on year to 54,125 million tonnes, while transport performance rose by 3,5% to 4,946 billion tonne-kilometres. At the same time, container tonnage fell by 47,0% year on year. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority