Freight rates in Europe rise, Spain adds 3% surcharge

Market today in figures (CargoNice data)

The model rate on the Poland–Germany lane was 2,09 EUR/km on 31 August 2026, 0,01 EUR/km higher than in the previous reading. In the opposite direction, Germany–Poland, the rate stood at 1,51 EUR/km on 31 August 2026. The EU diesel price reached 2 063,37 EUR/1000L on 24 August 2026, up 30,23 EUR/1000L from the previous reading. In Poland, the indicator stood at 1 728,18 EUR/1000L on 24 August 2026, while Orlen’s retail diesel price was 6,63 PLN/l on 2 September 2026. The figures show that higher fuel costs continue to limit carriers’ room to reduce rates, even when some lanes remain weaker.

European road freight rates rise despite weaker trade

The Upply, Ti and IRU benchmark shows a sharp acceleration in European road freight rates in Q2 2026. The contract rate index reached 148,0 points, rising by 7,9 points quarter on quarter and 15,2 points year on year. The spot index increased to 146,8 points—up 14,6 points from the previous quarter and 13,9 points year on year.

The source of this movement is significant. According to the report, the increase is not primarily driven by demand: trade between the EU’s major economies fell by 1,6% year on year, although the decline was significantly smaller than in Q1. Rising operating costs therefore mean that weaker volumes do not automatically translate into cheaper transport procurement on the spot market.

For quotations and tenders, this means that volume risk needs to be separated from cost risk. As the spot index approaches the contract level, clauses covering fuel, road tolls and periodic carrier rate reviews become more important. Source: Upply

Energy and fuel: eurozone inflation, support in Italy

According to Eurostat’s flash estimate, annual inflation in the eurozone stood at 3,3% in August 2026, compared with 2,9% in July. Energy was the fastest-rising major category, with annual inflation reaching 14,3%, up from 10,3% the previous month. This is not a diesel price indicator, but it confirms that strong energy cost pressure is persisting in transport. Source: Eurostat

In Italy, an application platform for tax relief for road haulage companies operating Euro V and Euro VI vehicles has been available since 1 September. The mechanism covers higher diesel expenditure from March to August 2026 and may cover up to 70% of the increase compared with the reference price from February 2026. The aid budget amounts to 386,2 million EUR, and applications must be submitted by 15 September 2026 at 23:59. Foreign operators with a permanent establishment in Italy may also benefit from the scheme. Source: Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport

The relief does not automatically reduce the fuel price or the fuel surcharge on the current invoice. It is capped, requires an application and, above all, may improve the liquidity of eligible carriers.

Spain: additional surcharge for container inland haulage

From 1 September 2026, Hapag-Lloyd introduced an exceptional Inland Fuel Floater surcharge for Spain on import and export movements, excluding FMC trade. For road haulage of all container types, it is 3%, while rail-road combined transport is charged 1%.

The change does not replace the carrier’s standard Spanish fuel surcharge. That remains at 14% for road haulage and 8% for combined transport. In practice, invoices for carrier haulage should be checked to ensure that the new emergency surcharge and the standard inland surcharge are shown separately. Source: Hapag-Lloyd

For quotations, it is also important to distinguish responsibility for inland haulage: the notice concerns inland haulage performed under a shipping-line arrangement, not every truck independently procured in Spain.

Slovakia tightens the consequences of vehicle overloading

From 1 September, exceeding the permissible gross vehicle weight or axle load in Slovakia by at least 10% is classified as a serious road traffic offence. The change increases the importance of accurate data on load weight, weight distribution and vehicle combination configuration, particularly in cross-border haulage carried out by subcontractors.

Under the rules described, authorities may confiscate foreign registration documents and licence plates when a fine for overloading detected during a roadside inspection is not paid. The Sunday and public-holiday truck ban window has also been changed to 06:00–22:00, and breaching the ban has been classified as a serious offence. Source: Trans.INFO

This is an operational risk, not merely an administrative one: an unpaid fine and the retention of documents may interrupt the execution of a transport order. Data provided before loading should be consistent with the documentation and with the actual weight and axle loads.

In brief

• The United Kingdom has announced that, from the beginning of 2027, subject to final confirmation, customs controls currently carried out at the inland facilities in Sevington are to move to the Port of Dover and Getlink infrastructure; a similar change is planned in Holyhead. There is no immediate process change, but operators should plan for handling the start and completion of transit movements. Source: HMRC