A level playing field? Why UK international hauliers could gain a competitive edge in 2026

As we start the new year it can be useful to reflect on the market trends for hauliers operating across borders and build on this data to anticipate where the international market is heading. Over the last 20 years the Office of National Statistics (ONS) says the amount of goods lifted by UK-registered HGVs has been broadly decreasing for imports and exports, with UK-registered HGVs usually importing more goods than exporting. The gap between imports and exports widened slightly in 2024 to 0.7 million tonnes compared to 0.6 million tonnes in 2023.

In 2024, UK-registered HGVs transporting freight internationally lifted a total of 5.7 million tonnes (3.2 million tonnes imported, and 2.5 million tonnes exported), an increase of 4% compared to 2023 (5.5 million tonnes).
UK-registered vehicles made 0.25 million trips in 2024, a 2% increase compared to 2023 (0.24 million trips). The UK was the most common country of registration for powered vehicles making trips to Europe prior to 2014. However, UK vehicles are now second with a 13% share.

Foreign-registered vehicles made 1.52 million trips in 2024, this is a 3% increase when compared to 2023 (1.47 million trips). Poland is now the dominant country of vehicle registration though its share has fallen slightly from 19% in 2014 (461 thousand trips) to 16% in 2024 (297 thousand trips).

Foreign-registered HGVs transporting freight to and from the UK in 2023 lifted 28.1 million tonnes, this is a 5.5% decrease compared to 2022 (29.8 million tonnes).
Of which:

• 9.6 million tonnes were exported from the UK by foreign-registered HGVs, a 5.0% decrease compared to 2022 (10.2 million tonnes)
• 18.5 million tonnes were imported to the UK by foreign-registered HGVs, a 5.8% decrease compared to 2022 (19.6 million tonnes)
  

This summary reflects the reality for UK international hauliers however as the final changes to the free movement of UK freight and people within the EU come into effect. We can also see signs of significant challenges facing the EU carriers who until now have had almost unlimited access to the UK domestic and export freight.

• Stagnation in growth – EU carriers are focused on efficiency rather than numerical strength
• High fuel, road toll and insurance prices are forcing operational costs up
• Driver shortage in all EU countries expected to reach 400,000 in 2026
• Digitalisation is becoming essential but comes at a cost
• Sustainability – the EU Green Deal mandates the adoption of costly alternative fuel vehicles
• Regulatory changes are increasing the operational constraints for EU hauliers
  

Since 2004, trips by total foreign-registered powered vehicles have outnumbered trips by UK-registered powered vehicles. The loss of revenue to the UK economy over the last 22 years has never been documented, but the resilience and resourcefulness of UK international hauliers may finally put them at a competitive advantage in 2026, as the playing field changes.