The last quarter is the busiest time of the year for importers. Warehouses fill up for the Christmas season, manufacturers need material for the start of the year, and trucks from southern Europe get booked out faster. October is therefore the right moment to plan imports from Spain, from Portugal and from France so that the goods arrive with time to spare.
Why book your import in October?
From November the number of orders grows and loading slots at suppliers are booked further ahead. On top of that come public holidays, when nothing is loaded in France, Spain or Portugal, and shorter days. If you book in October, we have more options: combining your pallets with other shipments on the same lane, choosing a suitable loading day and keeping a buffer in case the supplier does not have the goods ready on time.
How long does the freight take to get home?
| From | Usual transit to the Czech Republic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| France | 2–3 days | often 1–2 days from Alsace and Lorraine |
| Spain | 3–4 days | usually 3 days from Catalonia, longer from Andalusia |
| Portugal | 3–4 days from loading | route via Spain, France and Germany |
| Mallorca and Ibiza | 4–5 days | including the ferry to the mainland |
Times count from loading at the supplier. All countries are listed in our transit times by country.
Public holidays in November and December
On public holidays suppliers usually do not load and warehouses are closed. Plan collection a day or two before the holiday, not right after it.
| Date | Country | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 November | France, Spain, Portugal | All Saints' Day |
| 11 November | France | Armistice Day |
| 1 December | Portugal | Restoration of Independence |
| 6 December | Spain | Constitution Day |
| 8 December | Spain, Portugal | Immaculate Conception |
| 25 December | all three countries and the Czech Republic | Christmas Day |
France bans heavy trucks on Sundays and public holidays, and Spain and Germany, which the goods cross, have restrictions too. See our overview of truck driving bans in Europe. We plan the route so that the bans affect the delivery time as little as possible.
What we bring from southern Europe in autumn
- Spain – the citrus and vegetable season starts in autumn, alongside building materials, tiles and industrial parts. Food travels in refrigerated transport at a set temperature.
- Portugal – textiles, footwear, cork, furniture and bicycles – the goods that sell best before Christmas.
- France – shelf-stable food for the Christmas market, machinery, spare parts and packaging materials.
Pallets or a full truck?
For smaller quantities, pallet transport pays off: 1–6 pallets travel as groupage with other companies' goods, 7–18 pallets as a part load, and from about 18 pallets or 7 tonnes a full truck with 33 pallet spaces makes sense. If you buy from several suppliers in one country, we combine the shipments in one truck. Transport of goods or material from the Czech Republic back to these countries can be requested together with the import – combining both directions shortens the wait for a free vehicle. For monthly imports we set up regular transport with fixed loading days.
How to book an import without delays
- Confirm with your supplier the exact day the goods will be ready and the warehouse opening hours.
- Send us the loading and delivery addresses, the number and size of pallets and the total weight – fastest via the price calculator.
- You get a quote within 30 minutes during office hours, with tolls included.
- Give your supplier the driver's contact details and have the invoice and CMR consignment note ready. EU goods need no customs clearance.
General advice on importing is on our page importing goods to the Czech Republic. If your goods are ready now, write to us – we usually arrange a vehicle within 24 hours.