Transport Rates and the EU Parcel Fee
From 1 November 2026, a new handling fee will be added to the customs clearance of small consignments imported into the EU, although its amount has not yet been determined. At the same time, European freight forwarding is seeing an improvement in international groupage, growing uncertainty around ocean freight rates and isolated restrictions on the route through Bulgaria.
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
- 2,15 EUR/kmPoland→Germany spot rate
- 7,27 PLN/lOrlen diesel price in Poland
- 223,5 mln tonRoad transport in Greece
- 1,0 mld CHFK+N road revenue in Q3
The market in figures today (CargoNice data)
The spot rate on the Poland→Germany route is 2,15 EUR/km, according to the reading from 26 October 2026, while on the Germany→Poland route it is 1,59 EUR/km on the same day. The difference in the opposite direction is significant: the Germany→Poland rate fell by 0,20 EUR/km compared with the previous reading, while the Poland→Germany rate increased by 0,07 EUR/km.
The Orlen diesel price in Poland is 7,27 PLN/l as at 24 October 2026, up by 0,17 PLN/l from the previous reading. The average diesel price in the EU was 2 138,68 EUR/1000L as at 19 October 2026, following an increase of 2,80 EUR/1000L. The euro exchange rate was set at 4,3917 PLN on 23 October 2026.
The indicator mix shows an imbalance between road transport directions and continued fuel cost pressure, so margins should be calculated separately for each direction and delivery date.
EU: new fee for small consignments from 1 November
The European Commission has announced that, from 1 November 2026, the EU will introduce a handling fee for imported small consignments. Its amount is to be set later in a delegated act, meaning that operators cannot yet include one confirmed rate in their price lists.
The change will operate alongside the temporary duty of 3 EUR per item for e-commerce goods valued at up to 150 EUR, applied from 1 July 2026. Under the reformed model, customs formalities and payment of duties will be the responsibility of online platforms and sellers from outside the EU. Carriers may also face consequences for failing to meet compliance requirements.
The scale of the market underlines the importance of this change: 5,9 billion low-value e-commerce products entered the EU in 2025. For companies handling parcels, it will be crucial to separate handling costs, customs duties and responsibility for the declaration in their offers. Source: European Commission
Kuehne+Nagel sees a recovery in European groupage
Kuehne+Nagel reported that revenue from its road logistics segment reached 1,0 billion CHF in the third quarter of 2026, up 14% year on year. EBIT in the segment increased by 40%, to 28 million CHF. The company points to continued improvement in the road transport market and stable demand for higher-value-added services and cross-border solutions.
The assessment of the international groupage market is particularly relevant for European partners. A major operator is reporting an improvement in cross-border transport while also raising its forecast for the group’s recurring EBIT in 2026 to a range of 1,5–1,6 billion CHF.
This is not a complete picture of the entire market, but it is a significant signal from an operator active in many European countries. With stronger demand for transport requiring international coordination, subcontractors and groupage partners may be in a stronger position to defend their commercial terms. Source: Kuehne+Nagel
Ocean freight to Europe: risk of November increases
According to the briefing dated 23 October 2026, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index rose by 1,76 points, to 3 681,34 points. Xeneta’s assessment for the Asia–North Europe route was 3 698 USD per 40-foot container, following an increase of 6,8%, while the Freightos Baltic Exchange index was reported at 3 516 USD.
The discrepancy between current assessments and the carrier’s expectations is significant: MSC was reportedly seeking 4 500 USD on routes to Northern Europe from 1 November 2026. This increases the risk that November delivery cost calculations will quickly become outdated.
The briefing also cited a Brent settlement of 116,72 USD per barrel, amid continued security risks around the Strait of Hormuz. Door-to-door offers should therefore separate short-validity assumptions concerning ocean freight and fuel from rates for European pre-carriage and on-carriage. Source: Forwardernews
In brief
- Greece: the tonnage of loads transported by vehicles registered in the country fell by 13,7% in 2025, to 223,5 million tonnes. At the same time, transport activity in commercial haulage increased by 0,7%, and by 7,8% for palletised loads; container transport activity decreased by 23,1%. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority
- Bulgaria: on the A2 Hemus between Sofia and Botevgrad, restrictions for trucks over 12 tonnes are in place because of urgent repairs to one bore of the Topli Dol tunnel. On Monday, 26 October 2026, between 07:00–09:00, vehicles travelling towards Sofia cannot use the open bore, and no diversion route has been provided; the works are expected to continue until the end of April 2027. Source: Trafficban