22 June 2026 – In August, delivery times for shipments to certain European destinations may differ slightly from what you are used to. This is due, among other things, to driving bans, adjusted opening hours at loading and unloading locations, and reduced transport demand during the summer period. Because many recipients are closed for summer holidays, there are also fewer bookings, making it more difficult to create efficient combinations. In some cases, this means that transport operations cannot be carried out profitably, which is also undesirable from a sustainability perspective.
Driving bans and holiday traffic
During the summer months, several European countries impose additional driving bans for freight transport. These mainly apply on busy routes and in tourist regions and are intended to create more space for holiday traffic. On certain days in July and August, and during peak periods, trucks are therefore temporarily not allowed on the road.
It is important to note that these driving bans apply not only in the destination country, but also in transit countries. This can affect shipment transit times, especially to regions where restrictions are stricter. Although we of course take this into account in our planning, it remains advisable to book shipments in good time. This helps ensure deliveries can still take place as agreed.
Reduced transport availability and adjusted planning
In August, many companies operate at half capacity or are temporarily closed. Our local partners in Europe also work with adjusted schedules during this period. As a result, fewer transport options are available than in other months. It is therefore important, when planning shipments, to coordinate carefully with the recipient to check whether any adjusted opening hours apply. This helps prevent shipments from being delayed or unable to be unloaded.
For shipments to and from Italy, there is an additional point of attention: in weeks 33 and 34 (10–23 August), many Italian companies are closed due to the summer holidays. This has a noticeable impact on delivery possibilities, which are very limited during these weeks. The likelihood of a few days’ delay is therefore higher. We therefore recommend planning shipments to and from Italy extra well in advance during this period.
Always check the availability of loading & unloading addresses
In August, many companies in Europe operate with adjusted opening hours, especially in holiday destinations and warmer regions. Many locations close temporarily or are closed in the afternoon due to the heat, making loading and unloading impossible at those times.
We therefore advise always checking, before booking, whether the loading and unloading address is accessible and to inform us in advance of any deviations. This helps prevent waiting times and failed deliveries. If you are having difficulty reaching the loading or unloading address, please let us know, we are happy to help find a suitable solution.
Let’s keep your deliveries on track together
We understand that maintaining delivery reliability during the summer can be more challenging, while suppliers, customers, or colleagues are on holiday. In our planning, we take into account driving bans, adjusted opening hours, and limited availability during the summer period. This helps ensure that deliveries continue to run as smoothly as possible.
Do you have shipments with a tight deadline or a fixed delivery or unloading date? If so, please contact us in good time so that we can work together to find the best planning and any alternatives. This helps prevent surprises and keeps control over the schedule, even during busy holiday periods.
