Germany–Netherlands Road Freight Guide: FTL, LTL & Pallet Shipping

Germany–Netherlands Road Freight Guide (FTL, LTL & Pallet Shipping)

Road freight between Germany and the Netherlands is one of Europe’s most important logistics corridors. Every day, trucks move containers, palletised goods, industrial equipment and consumer products between the port hubs of Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Antwerp and the industrial regions of North Rhine–Westphalia, Bavaria and beyond.

At SAMJAKE Logistics, we help companies manage this lane with stability, speed and full digital visibility – in both directions: Germany → Netherlands and Netherlands → Germany. Whether you ship one pallet or full truckloads, our mix of logistics know-how and smart technology keeps your transports simple and predictable.

Why the Germany–Netherlands corridor is strategic

The Netherlands is one of Europe’s main gateway countries, with deep-sea ports, container terminals and distribution hubs that serve the entire EU. Germany is Europe’s industrial heart. Together they form a natural flow:

Germany → Netherlands
Export cargo for sea freight, distribution into Benelux, spare parts, machinery, industrial and chemical products.
Netherlands → Germany
Imports coming through the ports, consumer goods, e-commerce stock, food and retail distribution into German cities.

This corridor offers:

very frequent departures and strong capacity
short lead times for both FTL and LTL
ideal connection between seaport warehouses and inland factories
stable pricing and flexible options for regular and project-based freight

For many shippers and logistics providers, a reliable Germany–Netherlands lane is critical for both import and export flows.

What we ship on the DE–NL lane

We support a wide range of cargo between Germany and the Netherlands, including:

palletised goods (Euro pallets and custom sizes)
FMCG and retail products
industrial machinery, components and spare parts
automotive parts and assemblies
food and beverages (including temperature-controlled)
pharma and healthcare products
selected hazardous materials (ADR), subject to regulations

If your goods move between German industrial regions and Dutch ports or warehouses, we can design a transport setup that fits your volumes and timelines.

Transport options: FTL, LTL, pallets, express and special services

Full Truckload (FTL)

Dedicated trucks between key hubs such as:

Germany: Ruhr area (Düsseldorf, Cologne, Dortmund), Hamburg, Bremen, Frankfurt, Munich
Netherlands: Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Venlo and other logistics centres

FTL is ideal when:

you fill most or all of the vehicle
you need direct loading and delivery with minimal handling
you want maximum control over timing for loading windows and delivery slots

Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)

For mid-sized shipments, our LTL solutions consolidate your cargo with others on the same route. Perfect for:

regular but flexible flows
suppliers delivering to multiple customers in the other country
companies building up volume on the lane before switching to FTL

Pallet shipments (1–33 pallets)

We offer pallet-based transport for businesses that need flexible capacity:

from a single pallet to a full truck
regular departures between Germany and the Netherlands
options for standard, oversized and mixed pallet shipments

This is especially useful for distributors, wholesalers and e-commerce brands.

Refrigerated and temperature-controlled freight

For temperature-sensitive products we can provide:

refrigerated (reefer) trucks
controlled ambient temperature for food, beverages and pharma
continuous monitoring to keep goods within the required range

ADR and special cargo

For suitable hazardous goods and special cargo, we arrange ADR-compliant solutions with trained drivers and equipped vehicles, always respecting safety and legal requirements.

Transit times on the Germany–Netherlands lane

Typical road transit times:

Germany → Netherlands: usually 1–2 working days
Netherlands → Germany: usually 1–2 working days

Timing depends on distance, service type (FTL, LTL, express) and loading/unloading constraints. For urgent freight, we can use express vans and optimised routes.

Key industries on the DE–NL corridor

The Germany–Netherlands lane is used heavily by:

automotive and industrial manufacturing
chemicals and petrochemicals
FMCG and retail distribution
electronics and high-value products
food and beverage supply chains
e-commerce and 3PL / fulfillment operations

If your supply chain connects German factories or warehouses with Dutch ports and logistics hubs, a well-managed road freight lane can remove delays and uncertainty.

How we organise your Germany–Netherlands shipments

At SAMJAKE Logistics, we blend classic freight forwarding with a modern digital platform. The result: you keep control and visibility without extra admin work.

1. Two-step quote request

You start with a simple request via our online form:

👉 Request a quote in 2 steps:

https://samjake.uk/pack

We collect the essentials:

pickup and delivery postcodes
number of pallets or description of FTL / partial load
weight and dimensions
preferred pickup dates and time windows
special needs (reefer, ADR, tail-lift, port deliveries, customs partners, etc.)

With clear information, we can respond quickly and accurately.

2. Tailored transport solution

Our team designs the optimal solution for your shipment or regular flows:

choice between FTL, LTL, pallet or express options
routing between ports, inland terminals and warehouses
clear pricing and realistic transit times

You receive a transparent offer that fits your operational requirements.

3. Booking, tracking and documents in one place

After your confirmation, we manage the full transport:

loading and delivery coordination
status updates for each milestone: “requested – loaded – delivered”
digital archiving of documents: invoices, delivery proofs and other transport paperwork

Thanks to our platform, your team always sees where the shipment is and which documents belong to it.

Why companies choose SAMJAKE Logistics for DE–NL freight

Strong focus on European core lanes – including Germany–Netherlands and the wider DE–NL–BE region.
Technology + expertise – a modern platform supported by experienced freight forwarders.
Flexible capacity – suitable for occasional shipments and regular weekly flows.
Clear communication – you speak with logistics professionals who understand your constraints and priorities.
Easy connection to the rest of Europe – we can extend your DE–NL lane towards France, Belgium, the UK, Central and Eastern Europe.

Our goal is not only to move trucks but to make your Germany–Netherlands freight predictable, scalable and easy to manage.

Practical use cases on the Germany–Netherlands lane

Examples of how companies use this corridor with us:

Port-to-warehouse shuttles
Regular FTL and LTL flows from Dutch ports (Rotterdam, Amsterdam) to German inland warehouses and factories.
Cross-border distribution
Palletised shipments from German distribution centres to Dutch retailers and e-commerce hubs.
Balance between sea freight and road freight
Companies optimising their import/export flows by combining ocean freight to the Netherlands with fast road transport into Germany.

If any of these scenarios matches your business, we can adapt the same logic to your specific volumes and lanes.

FAQ: Road Freight Between Germany and the Netherlands

1. Do you handle transport in both directions?

Yes. We organise road freight from Germany to the Netherlands and from the Netherlands to Germany, for FTL, LTL and pallet shipments.

2. Is customs clearance needed between Germany and the Netherlands?

No. Both countries are EU members and part of the single market, so there is no customs border between them. However, accurate transport documents and commercial information are still required.

3. What information do you need to prepare a quote?

We usually need:

pickup and delivery postcodes
type of goods and packaging (pallets, crates, boxes)
weight and dimensions
preferred pickup dates
special requirements (reefer, ADR, port delivery, time slot, etc.)

4. How long does road transport between Germany and the Netherlands take?

Standard transit times are typically 1–2 working days, depending on distance and service type. Express solutions may be faster.

5. What shipment sizes can you handle?

We can handle:

single pallets and small LTL shipments
part loads
full truckloads up to 24 tons

6. Can you deliver to or from ports and container depots?

Yes. We can organise pre- and on-carriage between sea ports, container depots, warehouses and factories on both sides of the border.

7. Can you support regular weekly or monthly flows?

Yes. We can set up recurring transport plans with guaranteed capacity, agreed rates and clear operational routines.

Ready to optimise your Germany–Netherlands freight?

If your business moves goods between Germany and the Netherlands, we can help you secure stable capacity, reduce manual work and gain full transparency over your transports.

👉 Request your Germany–Netherlands quote in just 2 steps: