Transport: Polish border checks and queues at the Turkish border

Market today in figures (CargoNice data)

The Orlen diesel price is 7,28 PLN/l, according to the reading from 2 October 2026, and has risen by 0,01 PLN/l compared with the previous reading. The average diesel price in Poland is 2 060,34 EUR/1000L as at 28 September 2026, compared with 2 437,00 EUR/1000L in Germany; the EU average is 2 237,18 EUR/1000L, also as at 28 September 2026.

On the spot market, the DE→PL rate is 1,39 EUR/km as at 1 October 2026, down by 0,16 EUR/km, while PL→DE stands at 2,13 EUR/km, up by 0,03 EUR/km. The load-to-truck ratio remains at 4,00 loads/vehicle as at 1 October 2026. The data shows a clear directional difference on Polish-German routes, alongside a slight increase in fuel costs in the domestic benchmark market.

Poland: checks at the borders with Germany and Lithuania

Poland has extended temporary checks at its internal land borders with Germany and Lithuania. The new period runs from 2 October 2026 to 30 March 2027. These are not customs checks, but they create a risk of vehicles being stopped and documents inspected on routes within the Schengen Area.

According to Poland’s Ministry of the Interior, nearly 2,3 million vehicles were checked during the previous period of controls. The same dates and border scope are listed in the European Commission’s Schengen notifications register. Source: Ministry of the Interior and Administration Source: European Commission

Operationally, it is important to distinguish the risk of checks from customs formalities: the carrier should keep the driver’s, vehicle and shipment documents readily available, even when the haulage operation does not require a customs declaration.

Bulgaria–Türkiye: queues and unavailable Danube ferries

On 1 October 2026, the Bulgarian border police reported heavy truck traffic when leaving for Türkiye via Kapitan Andreewo and Lesovo. The situation at the specified Bulgarian crossings with Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia and Romania was described as normal, but pressure at the two Turkish crossings is reducing transit predictability on the main EU–Türkiye route.

In addition, the Oryahovo–Bechet and Svishtov–Zimnicea ferries are not operating due to low water levels on the Danube. This removes two crossings from route plans to Romania and requires the road alternative to be confirmed before accepting a transport order. Source: Bulgarian National Radio

In October, CMA CGM is applying a fuel surcharge for services involving inland transport: 17% for Greece until 15 October, 21% for Bulgaria, 17% for North Macedonia and 8% for Serbia. This applies to pre-carriage and on-carriage haulage organised as part of the carrier’s services. Source: CMA CGM

Northern ports and low water levels on the Rhine constrain inland connectivity

A C.H. Robinson update identifies Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg as ports with continuing congestion. Despite improved capacity availability on the Asia–Europe route, uneven call schedules and blank sailings continue to complicate the handover of containers for onward transport.

Low water levels on the Rhine are a separate problem, restricting barge transport to and from the main Northern European ports. According to the carrier’s update, trucks and rail cannot replace the full normal capacity of inland waterway transport. Source: C.H. Robinson – ocean Source: C.H. Robinson – drayage

For port-to-inland offers, separate the base inland rate from emergency costs and book alternative road or rail capacity in advance. A lower ocean freight rate does not necessarily mean a lower total supply chain cost.

Air cargo compliance, vaping in the UK and the Middle East

From 1 October 2026, two postponed regulations on the screening of in-flight supplies apply throughout the EU. A Commission Implementing Regulation clarifies the permitted screening methods, including X-ray equipment and the detection of traces and vapours of explosive materials, as well as the conditions for accepting securely packaged supplies. Source: EUR-Lex

In the United Kingdom, Vaping Products Duty and an excise stamp system for retail-packaged vaping products also apply from the same date. Civil penalties also cover the sale of unmarked products, so the importer’s responsibility should be confirmed before dispatch. Source: HMRC – tax Source: HMRC – sanctions

From 1 October 2026, MSC has introduced a Regional Cost Recovery surcharge from Europe to the UAE and Upper Gulf countries: 1 000 USD per 20- or 40-foot dry container and 2 000 USD per reefer container. The charge applies based on the booking date and remains in force until further notice. Source: MSC