International Road Freight from and to Latvia
Backloads arranges international road freight from and to Latvia across Europe and beyond — from a single box or pallet to a full truckload. We handle LTL groupage, FTL full truckloads, express shipments, ADR dangerous goods, temperature-controlled cargo and other special freight.
For each shipment, we select the most suitable vehicle and transport solution based on cargo dimensions, weight, required transit time, and loading or unloading conditions.
From One Pallet to a Full Truckload
Road freight is one of the most flexible transport options in Europe. You do not need to fill an entire truck — we can ship one pallet, a few boxes or part of a trailer.
For smaller shipments we use LTL groupage and part-load services, combining cargo from several customers in one vehicle. For larger volumes, time-sensitive cargo or direct deliveries, FTL full truckload transport is usually the better option.
For urgent smaller shipments, we can also arrange a dedicated van or another express road freight solution.
LTL – Groupage and Part Loads
LTL (Less Than Truck Load) is suitable when your cargo occupies only part of the truck. Shipments from several customers are consolidated in one vehicle, so you do not need to pay for an entire trailer. It is a practical option for one pallet, several pallets, boxes or other small and medium-sized shipments.
LTL pricing depends not only on weight and pallet count but also on cargo dimensions, the trailer space used — measured in LDM (loading metres) — stackability and loading conditions. A light but long or non-stackable shipment may occupy more space than several heavier pallets.
Groupage shipments may pass through additional terminals, transshipment points or delivery stops, so transit time is usually longer than for dedicated transport. LTL road freight is particularly suitable for regular smaller shipments where cost efficiency is more important than the shortest possible transit time.
FTL – Full Truckloads
With FTL (Full Truck Load), the entire truck or semi-trailer is reserved for one shipment. It is suitable for larger volumes, heavy or bulky cargo, and situations where direct delivery from the loading point to the consignee is required without adding other customers’ cargo.
FTL road freight usually provides a shorter transit time, fewer handling operations and greater flexibility in loading and delivery planning. It is also suitable for cargo requiring a specific loading method, sealing or other special conditions.
Depending on the cargo, we can arrange a standard curtain-side trailer, refrigerated truck, tail-lift vehicle or another specialised solution. We select the vehicle based on cargo dimensions, weight, loading method, delivery requirements and route.
What to Consider When Booking Road Freight
To avoid unnecessary delays and extra costs, it is important to check the loading and unloading conditions, cargo specifications and required vehicle type before booking road freight. Below are the key practical points worth confirming in advance.
Which Vehicle Is Right for Your Cargo?
The right vehicle depends on more than cargo weight and dimensions. It is also important to consider how the cargo can be loaded and unloaded, whether a full-size truck can access the delivery site, and whether additional equipment is required. Standard palletised and packed cargo is most often transported in curtain-side trailers. Temperature-controlled cargo requires a refrigerated vehicle, while locations without a loading dock or forklift may require a truck with a tail lift. For non-standard, oversized or particularly heavy cargo, we select the vehicle individually.
Loading and Unloading Conditions Matter as Much as the Cargo
One of the most common road freight problems occurs when the truck arrives and cannot access the loading or unloading point. A standard tractor and semi-trailer combination is approximately 16–17 metres long, so before booking transport it is important to check access roads, gate width, height restrictions and the space available for manoeuvring. If a standard truck cannot access the site, a smaller vehicle or transshipment may need to be arranged.
Rear, Side or Top Loading
When booking transport, it is important to know how the cargo can be loaded. At standard warehouses, cargo is most often loaded from the rear at a loading dock. Curtain-side trailers can also be loaded from the side and, in many cases, from above by crane. If the cargo requires a specific loading method, this should be stated before the vehicle is booked so that the correct truck can be arranged.
Is There a Forklift or Loading Dock at the Site?
Not every loading or delivery location has a loading dock or forklift. If the customer cannot load or unload the cargo with their own equipment, another solution must be planned. Depending on the cargo, we can arrange a truck with a tail lift, pallet truck or additional loading equipment. It is best to provide this information already at the quotation stage, as it can affect both the vehicle type and the transport cost.
How Much Fits in a Standard Semi-Trailer?
A typical European curtain-side semi-trailer has an internal length of approximately 13.6 m, a width of about 2.45 m and a height of around 2.7 m. A standard trailer can usually accommodate up to 33 EUR pallets, with a typical payload of around 24 tonnes. These figures are indicative and may vary by vehicle. In addition to total cargo weight, axle load distribution is important. For part loads and LTL freight, the length occupied in the trailer — measured in LDM (loading metres) — also matters. For example, a light but long or non-stackable shipment may use more trailer space than several heavier pallets, so road freight pricing is not always based only on pallet count or weight.
Is the Cargo ADR Dangerous Goods or Temperature-Controlled?
Not all cargo can be transported as ordinary commercial freight. Backloads also arranges ADR dangerous goods, temperature-controlled, high-value, non-standard and other special road freight. Dangerous goods require the correct classification, packaging, labelling and documentation, as well as a suitable vehicle and carrier. For temperature-sensitive goods, we can arrange transport with a controlled temperature regime.
Are You Shipping Excise Goods or Alcohol?
Alcohol and other excise goods cannot always be transported in the same way as ordinary commercial cargo. Depending on the goods status, route and applicable excise regime, additional excise documentation and movement control may be required. When booking transport for alcohol or other excise goods, the type and status of the goods should therefore be provided before the shipment is arranged. Backloads can coordinate the transport and required documentation together with the customer and the parties involved in customs or excise procedures.
Transit Cargo and Road Freight Outside the European Union
If cargo moves under a customs transit procedure or is exported outside the European Union, additional customs requirements must be considered when arranging road transport. Depending on the shipment, a transit declaration, customs seal and information about the specific vehicle may be required. For export and transit cargo, we need the truck registration number, CMR information and the customs border point through which the vehicle will leave the European Union in good time before departure.
Google Maps Driving Time Is Not a Truck Transit Time
When planning a delivery, remember that a truck driver cannot drive continuously. Professional drivers in Europe are subject to regulated driving and rest times, including mandatory breaks and daily and weekly rest periods. So if Google Maps shows that a route to France can theoretically be driven in 20 or 24 hours, that does not mean a truck can deliver within that time. Actual road freight transit time is also affected by loading, unloading, traffic, weekends, border crossings, customs formalities and other operational factors.
Cargo Safety and Insurance
Cargo safety starts with proper packaging, securing and the selection of a suitable vehicle. It is also important to understand that a carrier’s liability is not the same as cargo insurance. In international road freight, the carrier’s liability is limited under the applicable transport rules and the CMR Convention. For higher-value cargo, we therefore recommend arranging separate cargo insurance. Backloads can help organise cargo insurance for the specific shipment.
What Information Do We Need to Quote Road Freight?
To quickly select the right vehicle and provide an accurate road freight quote, please send: the loading and delivery addresses, cargo ready date, cargo description, number of packages or pallets, dimensions of each unit and total gross weight. If the cargo is ADR, temperature-controlled, subject to excise rules or otherwise special, please state this in the enquiry. Also let us know if side or top loading, a tail lift, a forklift, or special access arrangements are required at the loading or delivery address.
Road Freight with Backloads
Whether you need to ship one box, one pallet, a part load or a full truckload, we will select the most suitable road freight solution. We arrange the transport, coordinate loading and delivery and, when required, assist with customs formalities, transit documents, ADR requirements and cargo insurance.
Cargo Requiring Special Handling
Not all cargo can be transported as standard pallets or ordinary commercial freight. Dangerous goods, temperature-controlled cargo, excise goods, oversized freight and other non-standard shipments may require a specific vehicle, additional documentation, special loading arrangements or other transport conditions.
It is important to provide details of any special cargo requirements already at the quotation stage so that we can select the correct transport and verify all requirements in advance.
Dangerous Goods (ADR)
Temperature-Controlled Cargo
We also arrange dangerous goods road transport in accordance with ADR requirements. Depending on the cargo, an ADR-compliant vehicle, trained driver, correct packaging, labelling and transport documentation may be required.
To check transport options, we need the UN number, ADR class, packing group, quantity and type of packaging. The more precise the information provided at the start, the faster we can identify a suitable carrier.
Food, pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive cargo may require temperature-controlled road transport. Refrigerated trucks or other suitable vehicles are used to maintain the required temperature throughout the journey.
When booking transport, specify the required temperature range, cargo type and any other special requirements. If required, temperature monitoring and the relevant transport documentation can also be arranged.
Excise Goods and Alcohol
Transporting alcohol and other excise goods may require additional documentation and control of the goods movement. These shipments cannot always be handled in the same way as ordinary commercial cargo.
Requirements depend on the status of the goods, the countries of dispatch and destination, and the applicable excise regime. Before booking transport, we therefore need to know what excise goods are being shipped, the quantity and under which regime they will move.
Backloads can coordinate the transport and required formalities together with the customer and the other parties involved in the shipment.
Oversized and Non-Standard Cargo
If the cargo dimensions, weight or shape do not fit a standard semi-trailer, a dedicated transport solution must be selected. This may include machinery, structures, equipment, or unusually long, wide, high or heavy cargo.
For oversized road freight, we consider not only dimensions and weight but also the loading method, cargo securing, route restrictions and required equipment. Depending on the shipment, a flatbed, low-loader, oversized transport permits, route approval or escort vehicles may be required.
To prepare a quotation, please provide accurate cargo dimensions, gross weight, photos or drawings, loading and unloading locations, and information on how the cargo can be loaded and unloaded.
Road Freight with Backloads
Whether you need to ship one box, one pallet, a part load or a full truckload, we will select the most suitable road freight solution. We arrange the transport, coordinate loading and delivery and, when required, assist with customs formalities, transit documents, ADR requirements and cargo insurance.