Challenges in international road transport in 2026
International transport is not like domestic transport. Carriers must be well prepared for international expansion, as they face different barriers than in domestic transport. Furthermore, the bar in international transport is systematically raised. However, orders for international transports are profitable for many TSL companies – provided they are properly calculated and planned. What challenges are currently facing foreign markets, and how are Polish carriers coping with them?
Challenge #1 – complex and constantly changing legal regulations
A key challenge in international transport is the diverse and complex regulations in individual countries. Carriers traveling abroad must be familiar with the current laws in force in each country they transit. This includes the CMR Convention, EU regulations, and national laws governing transport, drivers’ working and rest times, minimum wages, inspection procedures, and the preparation of transport documentation. Foreign transport documents can be several pages long and contain hundreds of legalese. Difficulties are compounded by the language barrier – English is not the standard language in every EU country.
Challenge #2 – a long list of formalities to fulfill and severe penalties
In international transport, the list of obligations to be met is much longer than in domestic transport. Primarily, the carrier must ensure the provision of a complete set of documents: invoice, CMR, transport order, and local documentation (depending on the market served), as well as full customs documentation for transport outside the EU. They are also obligated to:
- compliance with the regulations on the posting of drivers;
- adherence to the principles of minimum wages and remuneration components in accordance with the law in force in the country of work;
- applying the provisions of the Mobility Package that regulate road transport in the EU;
- keeping very precise records of working time;
- storing documents for up to several years in the event of an audit.
In practice, a single mistake can result in a fine of thousands of euros. And on international routes, such as in Germany, France, Italy, or Spain, inspections can be more frequent and more ruthless than in Poland. The authorities are intimately familiar with the regulations and are rarely willing to discuss them. It’s also important to remember that providing properly prepared and complete documentation is a prerequisite for payment due and, if necessary, for initiating effective debt collection procedures. Any missing documentation can delay the payment deadline.
Challenge #3 – the different specifics of an international driver’s job
For drivers, driving internationally often means weeks away from home, language barriers, stressful inspections, deadline pressure, and significant formal responsibilities. This is why some professional drivers are reluctant to travel abroad or demand significantly higher pay for international routes. And there’s a shortage of drivers. Staff shortages remain one of the main challenges facing the TSL industry, as we discussed in more detail in our January article.
Challenge #4 – Difficulties in calculating order profitability
One of the main challenges in modern international transport is precisely estimating the profitability of a project. The person responsible for creating offers must consider numerous data points, in particular:
- different road toll systems in individual countries,
- variable fuel prices,
- labor costs resulting from the posting of drivers and foreign minimum wages,
- expenses for guarded parking lots, mandatory overnight stays outside the cabin and higher allowances.
Calculations are complicated by settlements in euros and other foreign currencies, as well as exchange rate fluctuations. Here, penny differences matter. Furthermore, considering the very low margins in international transport, averaging 2-4%, calculations must be extremely precise. Even minor oversights or errors can render an order unprofitable. Therefore, international transport leaves no room for 100% trust in an employee’s intuition or experience. Every kilometer, every toll, and every hour of a driver’s work must be considered before sending a quote or accepting a given order. Small and medium-sized carriers are particularly vulnerable to profit loss due to errors, as they are unable to invoice customers for unexpected expenses.
How do Polish carriers cope with challenges in foreign markets?
Research shows that they are doing very well, despite the objectively complex nature of cross-border operations. Polish carriers currently account for as much as 20% of transport orders in the EU, making them the European leader in this respect. They’re even ahead of Germany1. Domestic TSL companies that are successful abroad are aware that international transport entails different risks, obligations, and responsibilities than domestic transport. Poor preparation can be costly. Therefore, carriers are supported in their daily operational challenges by advanced tools such as TMS and telematics systems, EETS solutions, and specialized services. Thanks to various integrated systems and devices, companies can precisely measure costs, dynamically respond to incidents along the route, continuously monitor drivers’ working hours, accurately calculate their wages, and estimate the profitability of orders with maximum accuracy. It’s no surprise, then, that 54% of Polish transport companies plan to invest in digitalization over the next few years. Purchasing new vehicles is considered a higher priority2.
1 Raport Transport drogowy w Polsce 2024/2025,
2 tamże