Customer Information - Road Freight

Austria has lifted additionally to the weekend travel ban also the driving and resting times, that means drivers are not obliged to do their resting times, all controls have been suspended.
Our partners are reporting that the networks are still working with their full capacity, however due to the measurements put in place by the Austrian government, many customers have closed down and/or have closed their goods receiving department.
Additionally, due to the border checks between Germany/Italy and Austria delays are reported at the border. Even though the situation at the Italian – Austrian border has improved, minor delays still occur.

The following towns are still under quarantine. No deliveries and pick-ups will take place, except for businesses important for the supply chain, these will still be allowed to enter the Area of Tirol. By an adjustment of the decree, these measures have been prolonged until 12 April 2020.

The government has announced further quarantine zones in the following cities: Zell am See, Saalbach, Altenmarkt.

The quarantine in the area of Flachau (5542) has been tightened, only transports of essential goods are still possible here until April 16th. The quarantine in the village Heiligenblut (9844) has been lifted as of 29 March 2020.

Existing quarantine areas without limitations on transport:

• Tirol: 6000-6600 and 9900
• Salzburg Area: 5541, 5640, 5641, 5630, 5632, 5611, 5612
• Others: 6580, 6553, 6555, 6561, 6562, 6563

Existing quarantine areas with only essential goods to be transported:

• Others: 6710, 6754, 6762-6764, 6767, 6888, 5542

Health checks are carried out at the border from Poland to Belarus.

Average delays of 1-2 days have been reported for collections and deliveries.

Belgium has also shut down public spaces, except supermarkets and pharmacies. Since 18 March 2020, Belgium is now in a total lockdown, which leads to even more consignees closing.

Freight transportation is not affected by this.

Before dispatching your shipment, please make sure that the consignee is in business and able to receive your shipment.

The situation at the Bosnian border with Serbia has relaxed a little bit since Friday. The current waiting times, as informed by our partners, are only 1-2 hours. The waiting times to enter Bosnia from Croatia are currently up to 6 hours though.

Since 18 March 2020, Bulgaria has closed its borders for people coming from risk areas. There are special restrictions for truck drivers in place. Generally, there is a 14-day quarantine rule, which does not apply to foreign drivers if they leave Bulgaria immediately after unloading in Bulgaria or if they transit within 24 hours. Bulgarian drivers are also subject to the quarantine unless they are returning to one of risk areas. In this instance they must remain in quarantine until they leave.

The government has also suspended the driving and resting time restrictions. Since 30 March 2020, the border crossing point with Greece “Zlatograd – Thermes” has been closed until further notice. Additionally, special check-points have been established at all entries and exits of most regional centers.

People’s movements is restricted to essential activities. Freight transport is not restricted, but delays are to be expected.

We are monitoring the situation closely.

Some restrictions are in place for foreign drivers.

We are expecting delays of at least 24 hours for deliveries and collections due to a reduction of shuttle lines to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia. There are currently no delays reported at the Croatian borders, except for the entry to Bosnia. The delay there is about 6 hours.

Due to heavy snowfall in Croatia, the border crossing Izačić-Ličko Petrovo Selo is still closed for all vehicles. For the island with the postcode 22243 only deliveries with food supplies and medicine are possible, as there has been an earthquake on 26 March 2020.

The quarantine in the Czech cities has been lifted and collections and deliveries are possible again.

The driving and resting times have been lifted from now on for at least 30 days, we are expecting a positive impact on our operations.

All other transports to and from the Czech Republic are still possible with some delays to be expected at the borders, as the smaller border crossing points are closed and health checks are conducted.

The government of Denmark has closed their border to their neighboring countries. Freight transport is still possible. Denmark has also decided to lift the restrictions of driving and resting times until 11 April 2020, we are expecting a positive impact on our operations.

The police will, as far as possible, take into account the access of trucks and, where possible, separate lanes for freight traffic will be made.

Still, delays at the border are to be expected.

Denmark has also announced to close bars, shopping malls etc. Therefore, please do not send shipments to these businesses to Denmark.

The Government of Estonia has announced a lockdown in the country and has decided to close all shops in the country except supermarkets and pharmacies. There are border checks conducted by the authorities, but no delays are reported.

The city of Helsinki will also impose a general lockdown but will not restrict the transport of goods.

Since 19 March 2020, Finland has closed its borders as well, which does not affect road transport.

It has been decided by the government to close the Uusimaa region in Finland and create an internal border to other regions. This border can be crossed through 30 crossing points. This measure does not affect the transport and flow of goods but could lead to delays within the region.

The government has suspended the driving and resting time restrictions until25 April 2020, we are expecting a positive impact on our operations.

We would like to remind you to please make sure that the consignee of your shipment is in business and able to receive your shipment.

As per decision by the French president yesterday evening, the country will be set under full lock-down for the next 15 days. People are only allowed to leave their home except for grocery shopping, doctor visits and going to work.

Premium Services, advices or fixed dates cannot be offered anymore. Delays in distribution are expected. The French government has also released a decree that signatures for B2C deliveries are not necessary anymore and are therefore suspended until further notice.

The entry requirements for Georgia have been tightened. With few exceptions, foreign travelers are no longer allowed to enter. Freight traffic is still allowed. Drivers who have been in the EU in the past few days are placed into a 14-day quarantine.

Average delays of 1-2 days have been reported.

The German government has announced to close down the border to Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Luxembourg and France, this is in effect since 16 March 2020. It was highlighted that this closure will not apply to freight transports.

The government has also decided to close all malls, bars, restaurants and similar locations.

The situation in Germany will be monitored during the next days, please consider, that also the capacities of our terminals and possibilities for distribution to customers may be affected.

The Greek Prime Minister announced that Greece has imposed a national lockdown since of 23 March 2020, 06:00h CET. This does not affect freight transportation.

The Greek government has decided to suspend the traffic bans on the movement of trucks from 16 April 16 -21 April and 30 April – 03 May.

Since 17 March 2020, the Hungarian government has closed the borders. This does not apply for international transports or transit.

The ferry services have now stopped carrying passengers. It is still possible to ship semi-trailers, containers and swap bodies. Delays are to be expected.

Ireland has also lifted the regulations on driving and resting times. We are expecting a positive impact on our operations.

The Irish government has announced a lockdown in the country: People will have to stay home except in specific circumstances. The specific circumstances include travel to and from work for essential work that cannot be done from home. Essential work is listed as follow

• Healthcare and social care
• Public and civil service
• Utilities such as electricity, gas and water
• Necessary goods, i.e. food and medicines
• Financial services
• Transport
• Communications including journalists
• Farming

Therefore, please check with your customers whether they  are still open and only send the goods to Ireland, if the consignee can accept the shipment.

The ferry services have now stopped carrying passengers. It is still possible to ship semi-trailers, containers and swap bodies. Delays are to be expected.

Update for Northern Ireland: Due to the current situation, our network is now working with limited staff and a reduced fleet, which leads to less capacities in their collections and deliveries. This might lead to delays.

Find more detailed information here

The Prime Minister of Italy has announced to close down all “non-vital” businesses and industries. In general, this rule does not apply for pharmaceutical companies and businesses which are vital for the food supply chain. Please find the list of vital businesses here. This measure has been prolonged by the Government until 13 April 2020. The Ministry of Transport has decided to extend the permission to use rolling highway permits as a certificate to enter Italy by road as well (usually used for railway transport). This has been extended until further notice.

Before dispatching your shipment, please make sure that the consignee is in business and able to receive your shipment. In order to ensure that our supply chains remain operational, we are carefully planning our transportation and warehousing capacities.
Shipments that can’t be delivered will be returned or stored temporarily - all costs incurred will be charged to the consignor. Thank you for your kind understanding.

The situation remains critical. The continuing lockdown and the ongoing spreading of the Coronavirus is leading to high absence rates of staff - this applies to both businesses as well as to transport companies. First Italian domestic networks are now reporting increasing delays in the distribution.

Find more detailed information here

Foreigners can only enter Kazakhstan in exceptional cases. However, international road freight traffic should not be restricted.

The government of Latvia has imposed restrictions for truck drivers entering the country. Currently, freight transport is not affected in any way.

Lithuania is on quarantine and foreigners are not allowed to enter, which does not apply to truck drivers. For the drivers there are only health checks conducted, which might lead to delays when entering to Lithuania.

The Dutch government has also closed down public spaces, without any restrictions on transports. These measures have been prolonged until 28 April 2020.

Find more detailed information here

The government of Norway has closed their border to their neighboring countries. Freight transport is still possible; we are however experiencing delays at the borders.

As already announced, based on the decision of the Directorate of Health, Color Line has decided that all sailings on the Oslo - Kiel route for M / S Color Fantasy and M / S Color Magic will be canceled from Saturday 14 March to Thursday 26 March. The Ro-ro cargo ship M / S Color Carrier will however operate the Oslo-Kiel route with goods in the usual manner and as per regular schedule. This will lead to delays towards and from Norway.

The government of Poland declared the state of emergency and has closed the borders for all foreigners. Polish truck drivers are still allowed to enter the country.

Poland has also lifted the rules for driving and resting times until 16 April 2020, we expect a positive impact on our operations.

Find more detailed information here

Road traffic has been stopped in general at the Portuguese borders, which does not apply to freight transports. However, only main border crossing points with Spain will remain open.

Portugal has declared quarantine for the area of Ovar (Aveiro District, Baixo Vouga Subregion). The following postcode ranges are affected:

• 3880-000
• 3885-999

No pickups and deliveries are possible in this area anymore, except for vital supplies such as food, medicine and gas.

The government of Romania has declared the state of Emergency and closed several border checkpoints. Romania imposed travel restrictions, which do not apply to international road freight transport.

Quarantine rules are now in place for drivers entering into the country, they are however not quarantined at the border.

The Romanian government has also set up transit corridors through the country, where transit is possible without interruptions.

There are currently some delays to be expected at the Hungarian – Romanian border.

The restrictions on driving and resting times have been lifted until 16 April 2020, we expect a positive impact on our operations.

Since 20 March 2020, for a period of one month, the Russian Government has cancelled all restrictions (including customs) on the supply of basic consumer goods and a “green corridor” has been established for importers and large retail chains. A zero rate of customs duties has been levied on the import of a number of goods, including medicines and medical products. The government also declared a nonbusiness week (national holiday) for the entire country on 25 March 2020, which does not apply to international road transport.

Serbia imposed travel restrictions, which do not apply for international road freight transport.
The government has closed 44 borders temporarily. The Serbian border has been closed for entry through Bosnia with strict checks at the border. In the distribution delays of at least 24 hours can be expected. The waiting times at the Bosnian border with Serbia are currently up to 5 hours on both sides. At the Hungarian border, delays of up to 4 hours can be expected.
Shuttle services to Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania and Bosnia are scheduled.

Since the announcement on 27 March 2020 by the Slovakian government to close all borders to neighboring countries, the situation has relaxed, and traffic is running smoothly. The random health checks at the border are still being conducted.

The Slovakian government has decided to close all shops, bars, restaurants etc.

The Slovenian government has updated its regulations on the road freight transport to Slovenia. Only four border crossing points remain open for entry through Italy. The road freight transport from Italy to Slovenia is currently stopped at the border except for:

• Trucks with their final destination in Slovenia
• Trucks with postage, medicine equipment, pharmaceutical products or humanitarian help

Transit through Slovenia is now only allowed when organized in convoys by the Slovenian police, this will lead to considerable delays for trucks waiting to transit Slovenia. The traffic at the open borders is going quite smoothly. We are currently expecting delays of at least 24 hours for all collections and deliveries made.

Shuttle Services to Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia are scheduled.

The Spanish government has announced that all non-vital businesses in Spain will have to close for two weeks. Our Rhenus branches will remain open, but we advise you to please check with your consignees whether they are still open and do only send the goods to Spain after the confirmation that the goods can be accepted. Please find the List of vital businesses in Spain here. The situation in Spain is therefore mostly the same as in Italy.

It has been confirmed by the Spanish authorities that the transport of goods is generally considered “essential” and drivers therefore do not need a certificate for every shipment confirming its relevance. We are still expecting delays in the Spanish domestic networks as many customers have now adjusted their opening times.

The government has also decided to lift the driving and resting times for drivers from 29 March 2020 until 12 April 2020.

Due to the lockdown decision by the Spanish government we expect further close downs of businesses as the situation develops. There is also a possibility, that the government implements further restrictions in the country, as the situation develops The quarantine areas mentioned below are still in place.

Spain has also lifted the driving and resting times since 17 March 2020, this does not apply to the transport of Dangerous goods. We are expecting a positive impact on our operations.

Region: Arroyo de la Luz
10900                           
                           
Regions: Cartagena, San Pedro, San Javier, Los Alcázares, La Unión, Mazarrón y Águilas
30201    30351    30384    30397    30360           
30202    30365    30385    30398    30860           
30203    30367    30389    30590    30870           
30204    30368    30390    30593    30875           
30205    30369    30391    30594    30876           
30300    30370    30392    30835    30877           
30310    30380    30393    30868    30878           
30319    30381    30394    30740    30879           
30330    30382    30395    30730    30880           
30350    30383    30396    30710    30889           
                           
The following areas remain in lockdown:

The Swedish Government has decided to loose rules for driving and resting times which has a positive result on our transport capabilities.

The federal council of Switzerland declared an “extraordinary situation” and introduces more stringent measures: all shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment facilities will remain closed until 19 April 2020. Food stores and healthcare institutions are not affected. Although the borders are still open, traffic jams may occur.

Switzerland has also lifted the restrictions on driving and resting times for transports related to basic services, such as food and medicine. We are expecting a positive impact on our operations.

Please check with all consignors if the shipments can be delivered to the consignees. All hazardous goods, which cannot be delivered will be returned.

The Turkish government now carries out health checks at their borders, delays are to be expected.

Truck drivers from most countries will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine at the border.Turkish truck drivers entering the country from most countries, will be quarantined for 14 days at home. Currently there are traffic jams of up to 45km at the border between Bulgaria and Turkey.

The government of Ukraine now carries out checks at their borders which might lead to delays.

The government of the UK has declared a country-wide lockdown for three weeks. All non-essential retail stores have been ordered to close – clothing, electronic stores, salons, markets, libraries, community centers and leisure centers.

The UK government has announced that the logistics sector is considered essential and will therefore not be subject to a shutdown.

The UK government has decided to lift the restrictions on driving and resting times, we are expecting a positive impact on our operations.

Before dispatching your shipment, please make sure that the consignee is in business and able to receive your shipment.

Update for Northern Ireland: Due to the current situation, our network is now working with limited staff and a reduced fleet, which leads to less capacities in their collections and deliveries. This might lead to delays.

Find more detailed information here