What does a freight forwarder cost?
There is no per-kilometre rate that holds for everything, but there is a manageable set of factors that set the price. Knowing them is what separates a fair quote from an expensive one.
- Instant price before booking
- Live tracking of the run
- Insured transports
What sets the base price
Three variables carry it: distance, vehicle class and the loading space required, measured in loading metres or pallet spaces. A van over 80 kilometres costs less than a box truck over 400 — but the step change rarely sits where people expect, because too small a vehicle means two runs.
The surcharges that make the difference
Tail lift, second crew member, waiting time at the ramp, delivery without a proper loading zone, slots outside regular hours: these rarely sit in the base price and explain most of the gap between two quotes. Ask for them before you compare.
Where the savings actually are
The biggest lever is rarely the per-kilometre rate, it is the time window. A day of flexibility lets a run share empty and return legs. Being pinned to the hour means paying for exclusivity — right for deadline-bound freight, unnecessary for routine deliveries.
Calculate the cost for your route →