Modes of transport
Do you want to transport goods from one country to another? There are various means of international transport. Read here about the pros and cons of each mode of transport.
What is the right mode of transport for you?
Transporting your products can be done in several ways. What transport mode is right for you depends on various factors, for example:
- the type of goods
- the amount of goods
- the speed of the transport
- the costs
Land transport is a good option for small quantities of goods.
Pros:
Shipping goods by road is:
- Fast.
- Flexible.
- Lorries will often deliver the goods straight to your customer’s doorstep.
Cons:
- Traffic jams can cause significant delays.
- Other EU member states or non-EU countries may have their own rules on road transport, such as driving bans for lorries on Sundays or holidays.
Rail transport is especially suitable for bulk goods such as coal and iron ore, as well as for cars and food.
Pros:
- It is cheaper than road transport,
Cons:
- Railroads and stations cannot be found everywhere. After goods have been transported by rail, they usually have to complete the final stretch by road. This costs both time and money.
Transport by ship is suitable for containers and heavy goods, such as cars.
Pros:
- It is cheap.
- It is sustainable.
- Suitable for almost any product.
Cons:
- It takes more time than other modes of transport.
- Not all cities and towns can easily be reached by water. You will still need to arrange road transport to get the goods to their destination.
- It can be difficult to estimate the total shipping time in advance.
Do you want to transport goods that spoil quickly, such as fruit or flowers? Then a plane is a suitable means of transport.
Pros:
- It is fast.
- It suitable for long distances.
- It is the safest mode of transport
Cons:
- Aircraft capacity is limited.
- It is more expensive than other forms of transport.
- You will still need to transport the goods to their destination, for example by road. This means extra costs.
Transport agreement
You need a transport document to transport goods to or from abroad. A transport document is an agreement between you and the transporter. Upon payment of the transport costs, the transporting company will arrange for the goods to be shipped to a specific location in accordance with specific terms and conditions. Sometimes you must show these documents to Customs officials. Each mode of transport requires a different document.
Find out more about transport documents.
Transporting goods yourself
Do you want to transport your goods yourself? This has advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- You are not dependent on a carrier.
- You can install goods at your customer's premises or offer other services when you deliver the goods.
Cons:
- Own transport is often more expensive. A professional carrier transports goods from several customers (groupage). This makes transport cheaper.
- You have to buy and maintain a truck or other means of transport yourself.
Need help?
Do you have little or no experience in international business? A forwarding agent can help you arrange the transport. For example:
- transport to and from the port
- transfer at the terminal
- clearing customs
- loading the goods onto a ship
Statistics: how much freight is transported each year?
The graph shows the volume of freight (goods) transported from and into the Netherlands.