Europe Deliveries

I've heard a few couriers talk of 'back in the day' when they used to do Europe work. Judging by the vacant expression which comes across their faces at the thought, it used to pay quite well.

Has this changed? I don't see much Europe work available, and it's often being talked about in the past tense.

I'm on CX but don't pay enough money membership money to view European loads. Has anyone done this? How much Europe work do they have, and is it worth the extra cost?

And if anyone has any tips on how to get European loads, what's required (besides EU GIT), and how much it pays, that would be great...

Hopefully someone will be along to answer your questions soon.

Posted today: London to Prague.

European work in the same day industry does come up but depends on your customers needs? We do properly 2-5 a year but when you add the price of the crossing to the job and toll money it Does become scary and sometimes puts customers off? My advice would be quote what you are happy with in wages for the job And cover your costs! You won't make loads of money out of it properly Just a days wage? U think ferry crossing £200 return tolls £80return And you are just in Paris for that!

Don't know about removals tho?

Would imagine not bad as they need their goods and suppose they'd be willing to pay the price for their worthy belongings.

Some people still think it pays well but people just won't (unless a bit desperate) pay the high rates. I've asked people for a price and been quoted some stupid money, double pplm rates and things like that, simply because it is the other side of the water.

I quite often do small loads to paris/brussels by bike, there are no freight rates so can get a return for £24. Beats paying £180 in a van for ticket to deliver a couple of boxes and can do centre london/paris in 5 hours. It can take 2 hours to get into paris off the motorway in a van.

Its not as good as it was Your OK if you can find a customer of your own. There has been friction between companies and ODs in recent years. There is just no longer the money on these jobs anymore. Companies do take the job on but ODs dont apprieate exactly how little there is on the jobs. You could accuse the companys of pricing it wrong but if they did that they would have no work! Its a difficult market with no right or wrong but I would say the issue of ODs complaining about companies the Od should get Euro customers of his own

How can can you compete when the polish vans are dong glasgow to poland and return 700 all in (this price isnt made up). Thats what's killed the euro work hate to say it bit its true uk ods don't stand a chance

Hi Camvan

When I was on Courier Exchange, (who called again toating for business just before Christmas) work being offered into EU was averaging about 85p plm. Out of shear devilment, I once priced a job at 69pplm and still didnt get the job. It has been said to me more than once "Well you will make your money on the return". Good thinking, but it been my experience that you don't always get a job back to where you'd like to be. Home. But end up in South Wales, Luton or Dagenham.

As pointed out by Mr. Affordable courier, You still have your return boat/train fare to consider and any tolls and FINES you might encounter. Roadside fines are usually payable on the spot.

Take Mr Barnsleys advice and try to locate your own customers, use Courier Exchange to advertise your whereabout in EU you might be, someone will call.

As for the Polish drivers. I've seen some of their company drivers bringing fuel over to top up the driver making his return trip. What you have to do is find a filling station near to your depature point back into the UK, Which sells fuel which, when you compare the price against UK prices is cheeper once you've deducted UK vat. Alternatively (and there may be some one on mtvan or Courier Exchange) you or your accountant can claim the duty back from what ever country you fueled up in.

Mr Legrys has a point, an O.D. I know in Leeds area lost his regular work when he was under cut by £200.

Its the same with the big boys, rates cut to the bone by the east europeans, years ago I used to run regular over the water and there were more Brits than foreigners on the ferry or train, now you are lucky to see a Brit registered truck and even then they're likely to be driven by someone who's name ends with Ski.

A £200 profit over 2 weeks provides a reasonable living for a former eastern block driver and his family How many people here would be happy with £100 a week. I have a regular run to Tours once a month and I know that my customer wont go anywhere else as price is not the issue. I could make a killing on this job if I subbed it out but if the customer found that out we would be no more. He just wants our boys in our vans but most companies these days are only driven by price but that's the situation we are in at the moment. If your not happy and your not going to vote for UKIP then you have no grounds to complain

S.E.X.I. surely claiming VAT on Fuel and Tolls is the 'norm' for overseas work? Wouldn't be worthwhile doing it if not!

MORAY there are always more foreigners on the Tunnel or Ferry

Barnsley I agree, and thank GOD there are customers who DO care about their goods arriving safely and securely, and realise that the cheaper option is more than likely their worst choice!

UKIP yes and also Cameron has at least had the bottle to say what most sensible people are thinking about Europe! Just a shame the referendum may not take place for a few years yet!

I know of a polish UK registered company using Renault Masters within the UK who got pulled in Edinburgh. The van Grossed at over 5500 kgs so that driver got sent back to the parent Co in Poland who simply replaced him with a different driver with a clean licence... Until the next time

021 SAMEDAY said:

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I know of a polish UK registered company using Renault Masters within the UK who got pulled in Edinburgh. The van Grossed at over 5500 kgs so that driver got sent back to the parent Co in Poland who simply replaced him with a different driver with a clean licence... Until the next time

Pity there are not more checks carried out accompanied with SEVERE penalties.

MORAY there are always more foreigners on the Tunnel or Ferry

When I say years ago I mean in the 80's & 90's then there no where near the number if any of the old commie block like now, Dutch Belgian & German maybe but with a level playing field.

Who paid for their goat tracks to be upgraded to motorways and the same for the horse and carts to become new units and trailers, subsidies from the EU to allow them to run cheap and who pays the EU? The same person who cannot any longer afford to do the job... You and I and every other taxpayer throughout the so called union.

The tunnel didn't open until the mid 90's.

Yes the former eastern block have definitely taken more than their fair share out of the EEC, and to the detriment of the UK.

Support the Conservatives or UKIP to have a chance of getting out!

It will get worse soon when other former eastern block countries are allowed to join.

You can let all these people enter, but whaterver you do keep em down South, thats where all the decisions are made.

OK, on the ferry before the tunnel was opened and then there as well afterwards.

Mr. RLT

Fine on claiming back your VAT, but then not all OD's are vat registered.

S.E.X.I. said:

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Mr. RLT

Fine on claiming back your VAT, but then not all OD's are vat registered.

OH NO ... Why did you mention the war!

S.E.X.I. said:

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Mr. RLT

Fine on claiming back your VAT, but then not all OD's are vat registered.

Then that's you fault I will answer your next question for you. Its a load of waffle to say Im only an od, I don't turn over enough or it will put the price up to my customer who is already vat registered and already claims t back. Most people are not vat registered due to lack of understanding

If VAT was at a low rate then maybe not so important to be registered but at 20%? £14/15 on a tank of fuel ? Too right I'm registered but don't expect to reach the compulsory threshold any time soon.

Im happy... I am VAT registered... But not all O. D's are... Its their choice... Not ours to make

Thanks everyone, interesting advice here. Pity it's not as lucrative as it used to be going over the water.

Barnsley, obviously I don't expect you to tell me who gives you that cross-channel work, but I'd be interested to know what kind of stuff you're delivering, to help give an idea of what sort of businesses to approach for overseas work...