| European Freight from the United Kingdom is carried | | | | the number of standard pallets carried. This is |
| mainly by either by rail freight transport or by trucks | | | | normally 26 for a standard trailer, but with a double |
| travelling by road. Transport companies can offer full | | | | deck, a second floor level made possible through a |
| load trailers with around 100 square metres loading | | | | second floor that is hinged or moveable, up to 40 |
| capacity or more. There are a large number of highly | | | | pallets may be carried at a time. This allows hauliers |
| experienced businesses offering a freight service | | | | to realise much greater overall efficiency and cost |
| between the UK and Europe who have teams of | | | | savings when travelling to mainland Europe. |
| skilled drivers and impressive fleets. | | | | Moving international freight across Europe through the |
| Trucks travelling throughout Europe usually carry up | | | | channel tunnel is big business. Thousands of trucks |
| to 25 tons in weight, though heavier loads of up to | | | | cross borders every day carrying everything from |
| 28 tons are possible. This usually means an articulated | | | | food to fuel, or tables to tennis balls. Many of the |
| truck vehicle of 18.75 meters in length made up of a | | | | borders between European countries have been |
| tractor unit towing a trailer. The cargo of road freight | | | | considerably relaxed in recent years making the |
| transport can be made up in several ways. Containers | | | | logistics even easier for the international hauliers |
| are commonly used. These are large rigid steel boxes | | | | involved. Moving between Spain and Portugal, for |
| that can be loaded on to trailers, fastened in place | | | | example, is pretty much the same as moving |
| and securely sealed. This helps to ensure the safe | | | | between England and Scotland; there are no custom |
| transport of the freight. | | | | checks. |
| Goods can be palletised and loaded on to trailers. | | | | European freight carriers generally try to bring a full |
| These can be either open or closed trailers. Having | | | | load back from the truck's destination. This is |
| goods on pallets allows for the cargo to be easily and | | | | necessary to make the trip more economical. There |
| efficiently loaded and unloaded by forklifts. The actual | | | | is a big market in return loads as carriers are always |
| goods need not be disturbed in any way and can | | | | keen to find new sources of loads to bring back. |
| remain on the pallets throughout the journey. This | | | | There is a considerable network of international |
| form of European freight carrying export or import is | | | | freight transport between the United Kingdom and |
| highly efficient and extensively used. | | | | Europe that is building all the time. |
| Double deck vehicles and trailers can greatly extend | | | | |