Transport: fuel prices rise, customs changes affect clearances
Fuel costs are rising across Europe, while a carriers’ protest in Portugal highlights pressure on road haulage margins. At the same time, customs updates in the United Kingdom and the EU require declarations, goods data and import calculations to be reviewed.
Prepared by the CargoNice editorial team with AI support, based on the sources listed and CargoNice's own market data. Machine translation of the Polish original. Editorial policy · Read the Polish original
- 1,91 EUR/kmPoland→Germany rate
- 2 226,44 EUR/1000LAverage EU diesel price
- 7,44 PLN/lDiesel price in Poland
- around 380 vehiclesProtest in Portugal
Market today in figures (CargoNice data)
The model rate on the Poland→Germany lane is 1,91 EUR/km, according to the reading of 28 September 2026, while the Germany→Poland rate was 1,41 EUR/km on the same day. The diesel price in Poland was 7,44 PLN/l on 26 September 2026, while the average EU diesel price reached 2 226,44 EUR/1000L on 21 September 2026.
The retail diesel price in Poland fell by 0,04 PLN/l compared with the previous reading, while the EU average rose by 67,70 EUR/1000L. At the same time, the Poland→Germany rate decreased by 0,18 EUR/km, indicating a divergence between fuel-related cost pressure and current freight pricing on this lane.
United Kingdom updates CDS guidance
On 26 September, HM Revenue & Customs updated its guidance on completing import declarations in the Customs Declaration Service. In line with industry guidance, CDS version 5.3.0 has applied since that date.
Declarations submitted before the new version was implemented but covering goods arriving later require particular scrutiny. Some of these declarations may need to be amended to avoid rejection when the shipment arrives. The change affects customs teams as well as software providers, brokers and data-exchange processes with customers. Source: HMRC
For an exporter or importer, it is important to distinguish between the date on which the declaration was submitted and the date on which the goods physically arrive. The freight forwarder should confirm that pre-lodged declarations remain compliant with the current guidance and that the customs agent’s system supports the correct version of the rules. Source: HMRC – CDS guide
Portugal: protest following higher fuel costs
Around 380 heavy goods vehicles took part on 25 September in a go-slow convoy from northern Portugal towards Coimbra, according to the GNR police. The protest was a response to a sharp rise in diesel prices and carriers’ assessment that the available support did not offset the cost pressure. Source: Euronews Portugal
The Portuguese government had previously announced emergency support of 118 EUR to 458 EUR per eligible goods or rescue vehicle, from a 30 mln EUR fund. The protest convoy itself has already ended, but the dispute confirms the heightened sensitivity of domestic distribution and road haulage to fuel prices. Source: AMAN
Freight pricing should not be based solely on the short-term availability of vehicles. Fuel indexation terms, the offer validity period and the risk that a local carrier will renegotiate the rate if cost pressure continues remain important factors.
EU: new requirements for some agri-food imports
From 26 September, imports of Peking duck meat from China must be registered. This is one of the changes identified in the weekly customs compliance review covering 21–27 September. Source: Customsclear
The update also covers new or ongoing trade defence measures concerning, among other products, pea protein, PBTC, PVC, cellulose ethers, acetylsalicylic acid and steel wire ropes. For the import flows concerned, this may change the scope of documentation, duty security requirements and the calculation of the delivered cost. Source: Zolltor
This is not a universal change affecting all imports into the EU, but the commodity code, country of origin and customer instructions must be checked before accepting the transport order. In practice, the correct treatment under TARIC must be verified and it must be established who bears the risk of additional financial charges.
In brief
- Belgium: the published insolvency data include VAN HOUCK from Anderlecht and LILA TRANSPORT from Molenbeek-Saint-Jean; 49 insolvencies in the transport and warehousing sector were published in the previous 30 days. Source: Rovalta
- Spain: the country has joined AGTC, the European agreement concerning important international combined transport lines and related terminals. This does not change road freight rates today, but it strengthens the framework for future intermodal investment on connections with the Iberian Peninsula. Source: UNECE