Road Transport Germany
As one of the larger Dutch providers, Neele-Vat has been taking care of your transport Germany on a daily basis for decades. Thanks to our large fleet and daily departures, you are always assured of reliable road transport to any German region.
As a logistics partner for transport to and from Germany, Neele-Vat combines scale with personalized service. We have since grown into one of the larger Dutch providers of road transport to Germany. With a strong, daily presence in strategic regions, such as the Rhine-Ruhr area, we are a well-established name for reliable road transport. We handle FTL, LTL, and groupage shipments to any destination. In addition to regular transport to Germany, we just as easily organize return shipments to the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. Thanks to our curbside deliveries, we can also deliver seamlessly to city centers with restricted access. In addition, we handle return shipments from Germany to the Netherlands and Belgium, for example, as a connection to ocean freight exports to the Far East, the Americas, the United Kingdom, or Scandinavia.
Your transport to Germany
Carefree transport to every German state
German transport requires strict specialism. From complex Maut payments and strict German cargo security standards (Ladungssicherung) to the driving bans per state: Neele-Vat masters German transport legislation in detail.
- One partner for your entire supply chain to Germany, from departure to final destination.
- Knowledge of (inter)national customs procedures and local German infrastructure at the state level.
- Minimum waiting times through proactive handling of transport formalities and freight documentation.
- Proof of Delivery after delivery.
Import transport Germany
In addition to export, we also provide daily import: transport from Germany to the Netherlands and Belgium. Whether it's return cargo, purchase orders from German suppliers or distribution from German warehouses, we efficiently combine your shipment with our regular rides. This way you make optimal use of our capacity and keep the costs of your transport from Germany low.
FTL Germany
If you can fill a full truck or nearly a full truck with your shipment, we recommend using an FTL shipment.
LTL Germany
Do you have 5 or more pallets to transport? Then an LTL shipment may be of interest to you.
Groupage Germany
Are you transporting less than 5 pallets? Then an groupage shipment may be of interest to you.
Express Transport
We are able to transport your shipment with courier services or express transportation.
Dangerous goods
At Neele-Vat, we have the proper papers to transport your ADR goods.
Tailored transport
Do you have specific requirements for your transportation? Talk to our specialists.
Driving bans and accessibility
In Germany there is a driving ban on all roads on Sundays and holidays from 00:00 to 22:00 for:
- Trucks and tractor-trailer combinations with a permitted total weight of more than 7.5 tons
- Trucks with trailers, regardless of total weight
Special circumstances
Within built-up areas, night parking is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., as well as on Sundays and holidays.
Special permits are required for exceptional transport (when exceeding permitted dimensions and weights) and additional route and time restrictions may apply.
Transit times Germany
Neele-Vat operates in Germany every business day. For full truckloads (FTL) and less-than-truckload shipments (LTL), the transit time is typically one business day, calculated from departure from our facility to delivery at the specified address; groupage shipments of fewer than three pallets are first consolidated at our cross-dock facility and therefore reach their destination within two to three business days. We’re able to reach nearby regions within a day thanks to the short distance—the Rhine-Ruhr region is about 230 kilometers away—and our network of more than 135 company-owned trucks in Germany. On Sundays and holidays, vehicles weighing more than 7.5 metric tons are prohibited from driving, and since holidays vary by state, we take this into account in our planning.
| Shipment Type | What It Entails | Transit time | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTL | (Nearly) full truck, drives straight through | 1 business day | Fastest option; no transshipment. |
| LTL | Less-than-truckload shipments starting at ~5 pallets | 1 to 2 business days | Riding along on a fixed route; short transit times due to a dense network. Southern and Eastern Germany incur a one-day longer transit time. |
| Groupage | Small shipment, fewer than 5 pallets | 3–4 business days | Bundled via cross-dock; additional transshipment = delivery via pallet network takes slightly longer. |
| Departure Dates | Frequency of departures | Every business day | Your shipment will be included in the next available trip following the cutoff time. |
| Time delivery | Delivery at an agreed-upon time | To be determined | Fixed time slot or scheduled delivery time upon request. Morning delivery only. |
Useful to know
Important holidays in Germany
Driving bans apply on most German holidays, but vary by state. Please check the dates below so that your transport to or from Germany is not delayed.
- January 1New Year's Day
- January 6Treasuries only BW, BY, ST - no driving ban
- March 8Int. Women's Day Only BE, MV
- March/April*Good Friday
- March/April*Easter Sunday
- March/April*Easter Monday
- May 1Labor Day
- May*Ascension Day
- May/June*First Pentecost.
- May/June*Wednesday of Pentecost
- May/June*Sacrament Day Driving ban in BW, NW, RP, SL, HE, BY
- August 15Maria Ascension Only BY, SL - no driving ban
- September 20World Children's Day Only TH
- October 3Day of German Unity
- Oct. 31Day of Reformation Driving ban in BB, MV, HB, HH, SN, ST, NI, SH, TH
- November 1Allerheiligen Driving ban in BW, NW, RP, SL, BY
- November*Buß- und Bettag Only SN - no driving ban
- December 25 & 26Christmas
Specializing in transportation of various goods
ADR
If your company transports hazardous materials, it is crucial to ensure that all operations are conducted safely.
GMP+
If you are a company transporting animal feed, strict regulations apply to this, both for animal feed and all related products.
FMCG
Consumer goods usually have a high throughput and thus need to be transported especially quickly and efficiently.
FSSC 22000
Companies that handle food in any form are required by regulation to work on food safety. We are ready to help.
Frequently asked questions about road freight Germany
What is the average duration for a transport Germany?
The exact duration depends on the type of transport you choose. We use the following standards for Germany:
- Full loads (FTL): 1 day (24 hours)
- Part loads (LTL): 1 day (24 hours)
- Groupage (pallets): 2 to 3 days
For both FTL and LTL, we leave every day. Do you have a specific deadline or must the shipment be delivered at an exact time? A time delivery is always possible in consultation. Contact our Germany specialists to discuss the possibilities for your shipment.
What about the German driving ban on weekends and holidays?
In Germany, there is a general driving ban for trucks over 7.5 tons on Sundays and public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00. During the summer vacations (July and August), this ban often also applies on Saturdays on specific highways. Neele-Vat proactively takes this into account in its planning so that your shipment is not delayed.
Are German Maut fees charged separately?
Yes, the Lkw-Maut (German toll for freight traffic) is required by law on all German freeways and selected Bundesstraßen. Since the introduction of CO2 differentiation, these costs depend on the emission class of the truck. We calculate these costs transparently in our rates, so you will never be surprised afterwards.
Does Neele-Vat also deliver to German inner cities?
Yes. Many German cities have Umwelt zones where only vehicles with a green environmental sticker(Feinstaubplakette) or zero-emission trucks are allowed to drive. The fleet of vehicles Neele-Vat deploys meets the strictest Euro 6 standards and has the appropriate certifications to make trouble-free deliveries in these zones.
How does Neele-Vat help with project cargo?
Neele-Vat helps with project cargo by providing complete, customized logistics solutions for exceptionally large, heavy or complex loads. They handle all steps from intake and planning to engineering, route calculation, permits, deployment of special equipment and multimodal transport (such as road, inland waterway, rail and sea), with a single point of contact and global coordination. This ensures safe, efficient and well-coordinated transportation of heavy equipment or oversized goods. Want to know more? Read the full article here .
What transport documents do I need for road transport in Germany?
Because Germany is a member of the EU, there is free movement of goods and you don't need customs documents. However, a standard CMR waybill is required by law. In addition, make sure you have a clear packing slip and commercial invoice. Additional documents may be required for specific goods (such as hazardous or excisable goods). We will be happy to advise you on this.
Can Neele-Vat also transport hazardous materials to Germany?
a, Neele-Vat is fully certified to transport dangerous goods (ADR) by road. Our drivers are specially trained for this purpose and the trucks are equipped with the mandatory safety equipment. Please note that ADR transports are sometimes subject to different durations and restrictions (such as specific tunnels in Germany).
Is it possible to unload shipments using a tailgate in Germany?
Sure. If the delivery address does not have a loading dock or forklift (for example, for deliveries to smaller distribution centers or stores in inner cities), we can use a truck with a tailgate (Hebebühne) and transpallet. Please do indicate this clearly when booking so that we can schedule the right truck.
What is the frequency of your trips to Germany?
Germany is one of our core markets. We depart daily with dozens of trucks to all corners of Germany. Thanks to our finely meshed network and strategic hubs, we can scale up flexibly, even during peak periods (such as around the holidays at the end of the year).
Are local holidays taken into account?
Yes, we anticipate international holidays to ensure the continuity of your flow of goods. View an overview of all holidays and their impact on our transport planning here.

