Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What are the best hauliers and logistics providers for exporting pallets and containers from the UK to Europe, Australia, and beyond?
Members recommend a handful of specialist providers with proven track records on specific routes. **Europe (Germany & Switzerland):** - **Supplychain21** — frequently recommended with direct contact: richard.jones@supplychain21.com. Multiple members have used them successfully for pallets to Germany and Switzerland. Note: one member reported that prices have risen significantly this year and reliability has declined (recent shipments heavily delayed); another mentioned they quoted better pricing and shorter transit times than Supplychain21. - **Albatrans** — mentioned as an alternative option for European routes. - **Kerry Logistics** — suggested as another option for Europe. - **Hillebrand** — flagged as very expensive; members advise avoiding if possible as it pushes up landed costs. DHL has recently acquired Hillebrand. - **Wineflow** — quoted better prices and shorter transit times than Supplychain21 for some shipments, though was not accepting new business at the time of discussion (may have changed). - **DSV** — used successfully for a pallet to Germany at around £300, but does not ship alcohol. **Australia:** - Members have arranged groupage shipments with **Tudor Rose**. Contact: Louis can provide introductions and group shipments with other brands (Pinkster mentioned). **Container export (20ft):** - **Supplychain21** — members sense-check quotes against them. - **Uni Express** — recommended as an alternative. - **Wineflow** — noted as normally cheaper than Supplychain21 for container freight. **Caveats:** Members note that European pricing and reliability have become unpredictable (Supplychain21 in particular has faced delays). Always get multiple quotes and consider groupage to reduce costs.
How many pallets fit in a standard 20ft shipping container, and can you optimise the load?
A standard 20ft container holds **10 pallets** as a baseline. Members note that you can **double-stack pallets** if you configure the load correctly to maximise the available height, increasing capacity beyond this figure. The exact number will depend on pallet dimensions, product height, and weight distribution. For European shipments (e.g. France to UK), members recommend checking with your freight forwarder or logistics provider first—they often handle the optimisation and can advise on practical limits for your specific cargo. If you need customs handling for cross-border moves, **Transmec** (contact: Idavis@transmecgroup.com, approx. £50 per delivery) is familiar with Brexit paperwork requirements, though your glass or product manufacturer's logistics partner may also offer this service in-house.
What is the best and most cost-effective way to ship palletised goods to France?
For palletised shipments to France, members recommend contacting **Albatrans**, a reliable freight forwarder. David Graham is the primary contact at Albatrans (D.graham@albatrans.com) and can advise on options for shipping multiple pallets to France.
What are current pallet deposit costs and how are they changing?
Pallet deposits have risen significantly recently. **Allied** increased their deposit from £13 to £18 per pallet, reflecting broader cost pressures in the supply chain. Members recommend checking with your supplier on current rates, as increases appear to be industry-wide.