timber home

Exporting Timber to Europe

Bespoke Timber Homes Road Export

Read how First European managed the collection, export and delivery of bespoke timber for the construction industry, from Lancashire to France.

 

PRODUCT CARRIED: Wood
IMPORT TO: France
EXPORTING FROM: Blackburn, England
TRANSPORT USED: Trailer, [Ferry]
TYPE OF SERVICE: Full Load

WHAT TYPE AND CARGO AND WHY?

Our client manufacturers bespoke timber homes in the UK for distribution and erection across Europe. In this study we are focusing on the transportation of goods to France, specifically the Champagne region and region 74, close to the Alps.

Our client has 2 order booking processes dependent on the new homes owners.

  1. The client arranges, sets dates and pays for the complete transport of the goods from manufacture to delivery points.
  2. Alternatively the home owner arranges payment directly through ourselves. We then organise the collection and delivery date of goods direct with the manufacturer / construction team.
WHAT OBSTACLES DO FIRST EUROPEAN FREIGHT HAVE TO OVERCOME?

In terms of the trailer type, we need to consider the awkward height and shape of the goods, as well as safe protection against movement and weather conditions. Roof trusses are often seen transported on roads on open ‘flat beds‘ or ‘low loaders‘, but this would not be suitable for export on extended journeys.

The solution is a Mega Trailer. The Mega Trailer provides additional height room to 3m which supports awkward shape and length of timber roof trusses. The curtain sided trailer, protects road freight from the variable weather conditions whilst exporting to France and into Champagne and region 74, which borders the French Alps.

REACHING THE TERMINATION POINT

We also have to consider we are delivering multiple trailer loads on a timed delivery service, to remote countryside regions. Simply providing a delivery address to the drivers would not provide enough information, so specific GPS points are used to support the drivers navigation. Narrow and often single track country lanes, are not suitable places to be taking wrong turns!

HOW LONG DOES THIS TAKE FROM COLLECTION TO DELIVERY

The customer has a choice of methods from the UK to France via the Euro Tunnel or ferry. The client will make a judgement call based on priorities of cost versus transportation time. They are also considering other logistical issues including time syncing delivery with the construction team and machinery to unload.

In this case the client chooses to use the Euro Tunnel. This is the quickest route meaning they can plan the delivery date much easier with collection on day 1 and delivery on day 3.

Considerations should also be made for road closures and freight traffic restrictions on public roads. These are common across Europe and set by government at specific times of the day and week.

WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED AND WHAT PART DO FIRST EUROPEAN TAKE IN THIS?

We supported the client to understand which forms and documentation were required dependent on the countries the goods travel through. As we export through EU countries, the goods only had to be carried under a standard CMR document.

This CMR document is completed by the driver at the loading point and signed by the despatching company to verify the goods leave undamaged; the despatchers keep a copy and duplicates travel with the driver. On delivery at the end destination, the goods are again checked and the CMR is signed by the receiver. First European store copies of the CMR and are available on request.