PREPARING TO CROSS THE WATER
Page 45
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
You will need to research: • Markets best suited to your business. Delivering to countries close to the UK will probably involve less bureaucracy but the schedules and competition are likely to be much lighter. Outside the EU, journey times will be unpredictable and the risk of aime will be higher.
• Background of potential customers. Talk to other operators who deal with them for details about their reputation and payment terms. An advance towards the costs of a trip should normally be provided. Payment is usually quicker than with domestic haulage.
• Potential profits. Calculate how much will be left after diesel, insurance and maintenance have been paid out over several months.
• Administration. Costs are likely to be significantly higher than in domestic haulage, partly because regulations are constantly changing from country to country. The Freight Transport Association says more hauliers are fined for inadequate documentation when abroad than for anything else.
• Currency exchanges. Drivers must have money to cover fuel bills, motorway tolls, spot fines, telephone calls and incidental expenses. And as recent events prove, they may be unavoidably delayed by a fire in the Tunnel or blockading French drivers. Credit cards will usually suffice in Ell countries but in eastern Europe, only US dollars and Deutschmarts are usually acceptable.
Independent Advice:
• The Department of Transport's publication A Guide to Taking Your Lorry Abroad gives detailed infonnabon about legal and other requiremerits Which have to be met by UK hauliers carrying goods abroad. This is available free from the International Road Freight Office in Newcastle (tel: 0191 201 4090) .
• The Department of Trade and Industry's Business Link service provides advice and counsellors for small businesses wanting to export and set up operations overseas. It has more then 240 offices in England (tel: 01345 556765 to contact your local office).