Up-to-date pallet freight rates for eight major European road freight corridors. Rates shown as EUR per euro pallet (1,200 × 800 mm = 0.4 LDM), including how the LDM pricing model works, what drives rate variation, and how to get an instant quote for your specific shipment.
European road freight — including LTL (Less than Truckload) groupage — is priced in EUR per LDM (Loading Meter, sometimes written as LM or linear meter). One LDM equals one metre of trailer floor length across the full trailer width of 2.4 metres.
The LDM formula is: LDM = (cargo length m × cargo width m × quantity) ÷ 2.4
A standard euro pallet (1,200 mm × 800 mm) therefore occupies exactly 0.4 LDM: (1.2 × 0.8 × 1) ÷ 2.4 = 0.4. Ten euro pallets = 4.0 LDM. Twenty-five euro pallets fill a full trailer (13.6 LDM ÷ 0.4 ≈ 34 pallets maximum, subject to weight limit).
To convert LDM rates to a per-pallet price, multiply the corridor LDM rate by 0.4. A Spain → Germany base rate of €140–195/LDM equals €56–78 per euro pallet (plus fuel surcharge).
The chargeable LDM is the higher of physical LDM and weight-equivalent LDM (total kg ÷ 1,750). A pallet weighing 900 kg but occupying 0.4 LDM physical space would be charged as 900 ÷ 1,750 = 0.51 LDM, not 0.4 LDM.
Rates for 1 euro pallet (1,200 × 800 mm = 0.4 LDM), standard LTL service, Q1 2026. Includes base rate + fuel surcharge. Excludes customs clearance (UK) and remote zone supplements. Source: Transroad operational data.
| Corridor | Rate per Pallet | LDM equiv. | Transit | Min. Pallets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain → Germany | €56 – €78 | 0.4 | 3–5 days | 1 |
| Spain → France | €36 – €56 | 0.4 | 2–3 days | 1 |
| Spain → Italy | €42 – €62 | 0.4 | 3–4 days | 1 |
| Spain → Netherlands | €60 – €82 | 0.4 | 3–5 days | 1 |
| Spain → Poland | €66 – €92 | 0.4 | 5–7 days | 2 |
| Spain → UK | €70 – €108 | 0.4 | 4–6 days | 2 |
| France → Germany | €34 – €52 | 0.4 | 1–2 days | 1 |
| Germany → Poland | €22 – €36 | 0.4 | 1–2 days | 1 |
* Spain → UK rates include Channel crossing surcharge (Eurotunnel / ferry). UK customs clearance documentation (DAP) charged separately: typically €60–120/shipment. All rates are indicative market benchmarks; use the live calculator for exact pricing.
Carriers round up LDM to the nearest 0.1 or 0.2 LDM increment. An oddly-sized cargo of 1.35 LDM may be charged as 1.4 LDM. Maximising use of standard pallet formats (euro or industrial) avoids unnecessary rounding costs. Mixed pallet sizes in one shipment should always be declared separately.
Every carrier applies a fuel surcharge on the base freight rate. In Q1 2026, surcharges range from 15–28% of the base rate, depending on carrier and corridor. Diesel in Western Europe averaged €1.55–1.75/litre. Surcharges are reviewed monthly and fixed at booking date — not at delivery.
LTL groupage trailers are rated at 1,750–1,850 kg per loading meter. If your cargo exceeds this weight density, the chargeable LDM is recalculated on weight: chargeable LDM = total kg ÷ 1,750. A 5-pallet (2 LDM) shipment weighing 4,500 kg would be charged at 4,500 ÷ 1,750 = 2.57 LDM, not 2.0 LDM.
Most LTL carriers apply a minimum shipment charge regardless of actual LDM — typically equivalent to 0.5–1.0 LDM minimum billing. Shipping a single light pallet (0.4 LDM, 80 kg) may still be charged as 0.5 or 1.0 LDM. This is especially relevant on long-haul corridors such as Spain → Poland or Spain → UK.
Pallet freight rates spike during Q4 (October–December) due to pre-Christmas demand, and again in September when summer shutdowns end. Spot rates on key corridors can increase 15–35% above Q1 benchmarks during peak weeks. Booking at least 72–96 hours in advance avoids last-minute premium surcharges.
LDM values based on trailer width of 2.4 m. Max weight per LDM: 1,750 kg (standard LTL groupage trailer).
| Pallet Type | Dimensions (L × W) | LDM per Pallet | Max Weight | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euro pallet (EUR) | 1,200 × 800 mm | 0.40 LDM | 750 kg | Standard European pallet; most common in LTL groupage |
| Industrial pallet | 1,200 × 1,000 mm | 0.50 LDM | 1,000 kg | Common in heavy manufacturing, automotive, and food sectors |
| Half pallet | 800 × 600 mm | 0.20 LDM | 350 kg | Used for smaller shipments and retail-ready product displays |
| Quarter pallet (chep) | 600 × 400 mm | 0.10 LDM | 150 kg | Promotions, small parcels, and high-value fragile goods |
The benchmarks on this page are market reference rates based on Transroad operational data for Q1 2026. Your actual rate will depend on exact collection postcode, delivery postcode, pallet count, weight, service level, and the fuel surcharge in effect at time of booking.
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Shipping a standard euro pallet (1,200 × 800 mm, ≤ 750 kg) from Spain to Germany costs approximately €56–78 in 2026, depending on origin zone, service level, and fuel surcharge at time of booking. This equates to 0.4 LDM at a base rate of €140–195/LDM.
LDM stands for Loading Meter (linear meter of truck trailer space). European road freight is priced per LDM. One euro pallet (1,200 × 800 mm) occupies 0.4 LDM. The formula is: LDM = (length × width × quantity) ÷ 2.4. Your freight cost = chargeable LDM × rate per LDM + fuel surcharge.
Germany to Poland is the lowest-cost major European corridor in 2026 at €22–36 per euro pallet, reflecting short distance (~600 km), high freight density, and established carrier networks on this lane.
Pallet freight from Spain to the UK costs €70–108 per euro pallet in 2026. The higher rate reflects: (1) Channel crossing surcharge (Eurotunnel or Dover–Calais ferry, typically €80–120/load spread across pallets), (2) UK customs clearance requirements post-Brexit (DAP/DDP documentation, EORI numbers, commodity codes), and (3) lower back-load availability, which inflates rates.
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