A dedicated transport service involves collecting a shipment directly from the sender and delivering it straight to the recipient’s address. No transhipments, no intermediate points. This transport model is becoming increasingly popular in international logistics, personal effects transport, and among companies looking for simple solutions without unnecessary formalities.
However, behind this simple name, there are often different standards of performance. Not every transport company offering international road transport from Poland actually provides comprehensive services. Therefore, before choosing a carrier, it is worth checking a few basic issues that affect the safety, timeliness and real costs of transport.
Jasek Transport provides dedicated transport on domestic and international routes. We focus on timeliness, safety and transparent terms of cooperation. We serve both individuals and companies, transporting parcels and loads of non-standard dimensions.
In this article, we advise you on what to look for when choosing a logistics company for dedicated transport.
How to check what a dedicated transport service really includes?
Before deciding on a specific company, it is worth clarifying a few basic things. Are collection and delivery carried out exactly door-to-door, or only between points in cities? Does the driver help with loading, or is it our responsibility? How long does transport actually take and can we count on a specific date, not just a range?
It is also worth asking whether insurance is included in the price, how the cargo is secured, and whether the shipment goes directly to the recipient or is reloaded along the way.
How can you recognise a reliable carrier?
The easiest way is to check how the company communicates its terms of service. If the price list, transport rules and possible surcharges are clearly described, that’s a good sign. A lack of specific information, general phrases such as ‘we’ll work something out’ or ‘everything is negotiable’ should raise a red flag.
It is also worth checking how easy it is to contact the company. Do they answer questions quickly and specifically? Can we talk to the person who will actually handle our order, and not just an answering machine or a helpline operator?
If the company operates legally, it will readily provide its terms and conditions, licence number or invoice details. This information should not be provided ‘upon request’. A lack of transparency often means problems later on, e.g. with delays, complaints or insurance issues.
Does the carrier meet deadlines?
The essence of dedicated transport is reserving an entire vehicle exclusively for one customer. In this model, you do not adapt to the carrier’s ‘route’, but the carrier adapts to your needs. Since you are paying for the entire cargo space, you have the right to demand that the vehicle take the shortest route straight to its destination, without unnecessary stops at terminals or reloading.
Make sure that:
- The deadline is fixed, not approximate. Since the vehicle is only carrying your goods, the delivery time should be based solely on the distance and the driver’s working time. Avoid companies that give a time frame of several days – this often means that they are looking for additional loads to fill the vehicle at your expense.
- The route is direct. Confirm that the vehicle is travelling directly from the loading point to the unloading point, without deviating from the route for other customers.
- You have control over the delivery. Will you receive direct contact details for the driver or a dedicated supervisor who monitors the progress of one specific vehicle on an ongoing basis?
- Information about delays is immediate. In exclusive transport, any delay is usually due to unforeseen events on the road. The carrier should proactively inform you about them, not only after you call them.
What are the safety guarantees and scope of the carrier’s liability?
In dedicated transport, you entrust the carrier with goods of considerable value, which often travel thousands of kilometres without transhipment. Despite the absence of intermediaries, the risk of unforeseen events still exists. It is crucial not only whether the goods arrive, but also who will pay for any damage.
A professional verification of the carrier should include:
Analysis of the OCP (Carrier’s Civil Liability) policy
Don’t just ask if the carrier ‘has insurance’. Check the sum insured and, most importantly, the exclusions in the policy. Does the cover apply in the event of theft of goods from an unguarded car park (the so-called parking clause)?
The possibility of additional cargo insurance
Standard OCP is limited in amount (in accordance with the CMR convention) and protects the carrier’s interests. For high-value goods, ask about the possibility of purchasing full property insurance in transit, which protects the interests of the owner of the goods.
Technical standard for securing cargo
In dedicated transport, the vehicle must be equipped with certified fastening straps, anti-slip mats, spreader beams and angle brackets. The carrier should guarantee that the driver is able to correctly position and secure the cargo on the vehicle.
Transparent complaint procedure
Avoid companies that do not have clear procedures for reporting damage. In international transport, the CMR Convention is the basis – an entry in the consignment note upon receipt is crucial for income.
How to verify the reliability of a carrier? Communication, reputation and service standards
Unreliable companies often try to avoid paying compensation by citing ‘poor packaging’ or ‘force majeure’. In dedicated transport, the driver is present during loading and is responsible for checking the external condition of the goods. If they accept the load without reservation, they assume full responsibility for it.
When choosing a logistics partner, price (freight) is important, but not decisive. In crisis situations – such as a vehicle breakdown or road blockage – the quality of service and speed of response are crucial. It is precisely in moments of deviation from the plan that the difference between a professional operator and a random carrier becomes apparent.
It is worth basing your verification of a company on three pillars:
Communication model (no anonymity)
In dedicated transport, a direct supervisor (forwarder) is standard. Avoid companies where contact is made via a general helpline or application forms.
- Availability test. Do you have the direct mobile number of the person handling your order?
- Information flow. Is the company able to guarantee contact with the driver if necessary? Lack of smooth communication disqualifies a carrier from transporting time-critical goods.
Verifying reliability in B2B
Instead of relying on search engine ratings (which often apply to courier services), check the business credibility of the entity:
- Documents. Does the company provide a transport licence and OCP policy upon request?
- Market history. How long has the company been on the market?
- Industry reputation. It is worth asking for references from other industrial customers or checking ratings on professional transport exchanges (e.g. Trans.eu, TimoCom), where payment and operational reliability are verified.
Cargo securing standard
In dedicated transport, safety stems from the very nature of the service – the goods travel alone, without additional loads, which eliminates the risk of damage caused by other loads. However, it is still crucial to secure the goods technically. A professional carrier should:
- Have certified fastening straps, anti-slip mats and spreader beams.
- Adapt the means of transport to the specific nature of the cargo (e.g. rigid body vs tarpaulin).
- Have OCP insurance that actually covers the value of the goods being transported, not just the minimum legal requirements.
Choosing a carrier for dedicated transport – a complete list of questions
When you decide on dedicated transport (exclusive vehicle), you pay for safety, time and no transhipments. To ensure that this premium service does not become an operational problem, verify your partner against the following logistics criteria.
1. Scope of service
There is no room for hidden surcharges in dedicated transport. Make sure you know exactly what the freight includes.
- No transhipments. Does the carrier guarantee that the goods will not leave the cargo space from the moment of loading to unloading? (No additional loads/consolidation).
- Loading assistance. Does the vehicle have a loading lift and pallet truck (pallet jack) if there is no ramp or forklift at the delivery location? (Note: in B2B, the driver usually does not carry the goods manually, but is responsible for the goods on the ‘pallet’).
- Customs clearance. For routes outside the EU (Switzerland, UK, Norway), does the forwarder organise customs clearance (customs agency), or do you have to find one yourself?
- Special requirements (ADR/ATP). Are the vehicle and driver authorising to transport dangerous goods or goods requiring controlled temperatures?
2. Transparency of operating costs
A professional carrier does not use a ‘price list on the website’ (because each route is different), but precisely calculates the spot or contract rate.
- Additional costs. Does the rate include road tolls, tunnels and ferry crossings?
- No demurrage charges. How much time is allowed for loading/unloading in the price (the standard is 2-3 hours)? What is the rate for each additional hour of demurrage?
- Order cancellation. What are the costs of cancelling a vehicle (‘empty run’) on the day of loading?
3. Timeliness and delivery model
In dedicated transport, time and exclusivity are key.
- FIX delivery guarantee. Does the carrier confirm delivery at a specific time (e.g. ‘tomorrow at 8:00 a.m.’) or does it give a loose time frame ‘during the day’?
- Double crew. For urgent routes over 1,000 km, does the company offer two drivers so that the vehicle can travel non-stop, without breaks for daily rest?
- Monitoring. Will you receive a link to track the vehicle via GPS so that you can see its actual position rather than relying on telephone reports?
4. Verification of credibility
In B2B, Facebook reviews are of little significance. What matters are documents and stock market indicators.
- Documents. Request a transport licence and OCP policy before placing an order. Check the expiry dates.
- Payment and operational history. Check reviews on transport exchanges (Trans.eu, TimoCom) – other freight forwarders and shippers rate them there.
- Fleet. Does the company have its own fleet or does it just resell the cargo (rewriting orders)?
5. Safety and liability (OCP)
Standard insurance may not be sufficient for electronics or machinery.
- OCP coverage. Does the policy cover ‘gross negligence’ and aggravated theft? Does it have exclusions regarding parking only in guarded car parks (which is sometimes impossible to comply with on the road)?
- Load securing. Is the vehicle equipped with straps (number/condition), anti-slip mats, spreader beams, corner protectors?
Sum insured. Does the insurance cover the full value of your sales invoice?
6. Operational communication
In dedicated (often emergency) transport, bureaucracy must give way to speed and efficient execution.
- Dedicated forwarder. One contact person on a mobile phone who knows the status of your cargo.
- 24/7 contact. If there are problems at night or on weekends (e.g. vehicle breakdown), will someone answer the phone?
- Foreign languages. Can the forwarder/driver communicate at a foreign warehouse?
7. Additional services
What else can a professional operator offer?
- Document neutralisation. Hiding the shipper’s details from the recipient (necessary for B2B dropshipping).
- Pallet exchange. Euro pallet return procedure (rare in light transport, standard in heavy transport).
- Interim storage. The possibility of storing goods if the recipient refuses to accept them.
