Accredited official statistics

International road freight statistics, United Kingdom: 2024

Updated 9 July 2025

About this release

These are accredited official statistics and were independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation in December 2016. Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. For more information, see the ‘about these statistics’ section.

This statistical release summarises the latest statistics on the activity of UK-registered heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) operating internationally during 2024.

The information is derived from surveys of businesses that operate road goods vehicles. It covers the amount and type of goods carried by UK-registered HGVs, as well as their origin and destination and the distance they travelled.

Also included is a summary of the number of trips made by powered road goods vehicles travelling from Great Britain (GB) to Europe in 2024. This information is collected from ferry operators and Eurotunnel each quarter, using the Roll-on-Roll-off survey (also called ’RoRo’). This covers all ferry routes from GB to Europe, including the Channel tunnel.

The report also reviews the latest information from the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain on goods vehicle operator licences, and from Eurostat on cabotage and foreign-registered HGVs travelling to and from the UK.

The previous annual release on international road freight for 2023 is also available, as well as previous quarterly releases.

Definitions

HGV: a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tonnes. The gross vehicle weight is the weight of the vehicle plus the maximum possible weight of goods that can be carried.

Quarter: a calendar year quarter. In this publication, quarter 1 refers to January to March, quarter 2 refers to April to June, quarter 3 refers to July to September, and quarter 4 refers to October to December.

Goods lifted: the weight of goods carried, measured in tonnes. This is a measure of the total amount of goods transported internationally by UK-registered HGVs.

Goods moved: the weight of goods carried, multiplied by the distance hauled, measured in tonne kilometres. This is a measure of the overall international activity of UK-registered HGVs, accounting for both the distance travelled by each vehicle and the weight of its load.

Important note for users

This publication includes revisions to the statistics for the period January 2022 to December 2023.This change is based on revisions to statistics in the separate publication on Road goods vehicles travelling to Europe: 2024. These figures are used to calculate international road freight statistics by scaling the results of the international road freight survey to be representative of the total activity by all GB-registered HGVs.

The revised figures show a 2.8% (180 thousand tonnes) reduction in the total amount of goods lifted internationally by UK-registered HGVs in 2022 and a 4.0% (230 thousand tonnes) reduction in 2023. For total goods moved internationally by UK-registered HGVs, there was a 3.6% (143 million tonne kilometres) reduction for 2022 and a 4.6% (162 million tonne kilometres) reduction for 2023.

For more information on these revisions see the International road freight statistics: October 2023 to September 2024 publication.

Due to rounding, totals may not appear to equal the sum of their parts.

Headline figures

In 2024,

5.7 million tonnes

of goods were lifted by UK-registered HGVs operating internationally, an increase of 4% compared to 2023.

Yearly trends

This section compares 2024 with 2023.

Infographic 1: Total amount of goods lifted internationally by UK-registered HGVs in 2024, broken down into imports and exports Table RFS0201

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).

The amount of goods lifted showed minimal variation throughout 2024, varying by no more than 4% between quarters, with a high of 1.46 million tonnes in quarter 3 (July to September) and a low of 1.40 million tonnes in quarter 4 (October to December).

Over the last 20 years, the amount of goods lifted by UK-registered HGVs has been broadly decreasing for both 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.

Infographic 2: Total amount of goods moved internationally by UK-registered HGVs in 2024, broken down into imports and exports Table RFS0201

Focusing on goods moved rather than goods lifted, UK-registered HGVs transporting freight internationally moved a total of 3.43 billion tonne kilometres in 2024 (1.8 billion tonne kilometres imported, and 1.6 billion tonne kilometres exported). This is an increase of 2% compared to 2023 (3.35 billion tonne kilometres).

The amount of goods moved showed greater variation throughout 2024 than goods lifted, varying by up to 9% percent between quarters, with a high of 0.92 million tonne kilometres in quarter 1 (January to March) and a low of 0.86 million tonne kilometres in quarter 2 (April to June).

The previous announcement of the UK leaving the European Union (EU) and subsequent transition period, along with the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting supply chain disruption, have caused higher levels of volatility in freight statistics over the past 6 years.

Long term trends

Chart 1: Long term trends in international goods lifted by UK-registered HGVs, quarterly from 2005 to 2024 Table RFS0201

Historically the amount of goods lifted by UK-registered HGVs has been decreasing for both imports and exports, with UK-registered HGVs usually importing more goods than exporting.

During the 2008 recession, the amount of goods lifted by UK-registered HGVs fell by 12%. As the economy recovered, road freight levels returned to expected levels and again followed the decreasing trend.

In 2018, the amount of goods lifted rose by 11% possibly reflecting businesses looking to transport goods internationally before the UK’s original planned departure from the EU on 29 March 2019.

There was larger than usual volatility from 2019 onwards coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in 2020 and the end of the transition period for the UK leaving the EU on the 31 December 2020.

In 2021, the amount of goods lifted by UK-registered HGVs was low by historic standards. Despite a recovery in 2022, with a 22% annual increase, the long-term decreasing trend of total goods lifted continued in 2023 with a 14% annual decrease. 2024 saw some recovery with an increase of 4%.

Country of trade

Infographic 3: Top 5 countries from which UK-registered vehicles imported or exported goods, 2024 Tables RFS0202 and RFS0203

The top 5 countries for exports and imports have remained relatively constant over the last 10 years. Exports to France have decreased from 1.11 million tonnes in 2014 to 0.66 million tonnes in 2024, a fall of 41%. Imports from Belgium fell by 18% over the same period, from 1.37 million tonnes in 2014 to 1.12 million tonnes in 2024.

In 2024, 2.5 million tonnes of goods were exported from the UK by UK-registered vehicles. Of which 90.2% (2.28 million tonnes) were unloaded in one of the five following countries:

• France, 0.66 million tonnes (26%)

• Belgium, 0.56 million tonnes (22%)

• Ireland, 0.53 million tonnes (21%)

• Netherlands, 0.36 million tonnes (14%)

• Germany, 0.16 million tonnes (7%)

In 2024, 3.2 million tonnes of goods were imported to the UK by UK-registered vehicles. Of which 90% (2.87 million tonnes) were loaded in one of the five following countries:

• Belgium, 1.12 million tonnes (32%)

• France, 0.82 million tonnes (29%)

• Netherlands, 0.43 million tonnes (12%)

• Ireland, 0.27 million tonnes (9%)

• Germany, 0.23 million tonnes (7%)

The data in this publication is based only on HGVs. Some HGV trips may be part of a multi-modal or multi-stage journey, which means that the final origin or destination of the HGV may not be the ultimate origin or destination of the goods.

Commodities lifted by UK-registered HGVs

Definitions

Commodity: goods are classified into commodity types and sub-categories by the ‘standard goods classification for transport statistics 2007’ NST-2007.

Groupage: refers to consignments containing a mixture of different commodities.

Dangerous goods: consist of consignments falling under the following categories: flammable liquids, gases, corrosive substances, flammable solids, oxidisers and organic peroxides, toxic and infectious substances, radioactive materials, explosives, and miscellaneous substances.

Infographic 4: Top 5 commodity types lifted by UK-registered HGVs 2024 Table RFS0206

In 2024, the most common commodity exported from the UK by UK-registered vehicles was groupage, accounting for 0.88 million tonnes (35% of goods exported).

Groupage was also the most common commodity imported into the UK by UK-registered vehicles, accounting for 0.93 million tonnes (29% of goods imported).

The second most common was food products, with 0.39 million tonnes exported (15% of goods exported) and 0.85 million tonnes imported (15% of goods exported).

Dangerous goods

0.47 million tonnes of dangerous goods were lifted internationally by UK-registered vehicles in 2024, of which 0.23 million tonnes were imported and 0.24 million tonnes exported. This was an increase of 66% compared to 2023 (0.28 million tonnes).

Powered road goods vehicles travelling to Europe

Roll-on-Roll-off survey

These are accredited official statistics and were independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation in December 2016. Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. For more information, see the ‘about these statistics’ section.

The information is collected from ferry operators and Eurotunnel each quarter, using the Roll-on-Roll-off survey (also called ’RoRo’). This covers all ferry routes from GB to Europe, including the Channel tunnel.

Please note that domestic routes within the UK and routes to Northern Ireland are excluded.

Powered road goods vehicles travelling from GB to Europe in 2024 made 1.87 million trips in 2024, in line with 2023 (1.87 million trips).

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).

Since the earliest comparable data in 2004, trips by total foreign-registered powered vehicles have outnumbered trips by UK-registered powered vehicles.

Chart 2: Number of trips made by UK and foreign-registered powered road goods vehicles travelling from GB to Europe, quarterly, 2004 to 2024 Table RORO0101

Since January 2022 it has been necessary to estimate the country of registration for approximately 30 thousand to 40 thousand trips per quarter. Based on information from the ferry operators, we estimate these to be foreign registered vehicles, but the specific foreign country of registration is unknown.

Goods vehicle operator licences

For the 12-month period ending 31 March 2024:

There were 9,654 firms using an HGV standard international (SI) operator licence in Great Britain, a 2% decrease from the 12-month period ending March 2023 (9,804 licences) and a 20% increase from the 12-month period ending March 2014 (8,048 licences).

There were 88,494 vehicles covered by Standard International licences, a 0.2% decrease from the 12-month period ending March 2023 (88,630 vehicles) and a 19% increase from the 12-month period ending March 2014 (74,578 vehicles).

Chart 3: Standard International Licences in issue, Great Britain, 2013 to 2024

Source: Traffic Commissioners: Annual Report 2023 to 2024

UK hauliers must obtain a Standard International Operator’s Licence to carry goods for others within the UK and on international journeys, though not all firms with a standard international licence will necessarily do international trips.

From the 12-month period ending 31 March 2023, the figures include Standard International licences issued to operators of Light Goods Vehicles.

Road haulage by foreign-registered HGVs in the UK

Note

Detailed statistics on the activity of foreign-registered HGVs can be obtained from the Eurostat Transport Database. This includes the activity of vehicles registered in countries within the European Union as well as countries outside the European Union but belonging to the European single market.

The information in this section is up to the year 2023. EuroStat data for 2024 was not available at the time of producing this publication.

Following a 20% drop during the 2008 recession, the amount of goods lifted by foreign-registered heavy goods vehicles to or from the UK followed an upward trend until 2016 when it returned to pre-recession levels. Since then the amount of goods lifted has steadily fallen, decreasing from 39.5 million tonnes in 2016 to 28.1 million tonnes in 2023, a decrease of 30% over that period. There has been greater volatility over the last 6 years and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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)

Infographic 5: Top 5 foreign countries in which HGVs were registered for vehicles importing or exporting goods to or from the UK, ten-year comparison (2013 to 2023) Tables RFS0208 and RFS0209

Polish-registered vehicles exporting from the UK have increased their share from 26% of total foreign exports in 2013 to 33% in 2023. This was the largest share increase for EU countries over this period.

For imports to the UK, Polish-registered vehicles also accounted for the largest share which has increased from 23% in 2013 to 27% in 2023. Ireland saw the largest share increase for imports over this period, from 12% in 2013 to 17% in 2023.

Cabotage within the UK by foreign-registered HGVs in 2023

Definitions

Cabotage: measured in tonne kilometres, refers to road haulage solely within one country by a vehicle registered in another country. For example, when a vehicle registered in another country transports goods from one part of the UK to another, this is cabotage.

Cabotage penetration rate: is defined as cabotage (in tonne kilometres) as a proportion of the sum of domestic and cabotage tonne kilometres and is a measure of the significance of cabotage within a country’s road freight market.

In 2023, the overall level of cabotage goods moved in the UK was 1.1 billion tonne kilometres, less than 1% of all HGV activity within the UK (167.8 billion tonne kilometres).

The top 3 countries carrying out cabotage in the UK accounted for 61% (643 million tonne kilometres) of all cabotage. These were:

• Poland, 279 million tonne kilometres (26%)

• Romania, 190 million tonne kilometres (18%)

• Ireland, 175 million tonne kilometres (16%)

In 2023, the level of cabotage within the UK was 0.6%, this was below the EU average penetration rate of 4.1%. The highest penetration rate in 2023 was for Germany at 9.6%.

Chart 4: Cabotage penetration rates, UK and top 5 EU countries with the highest levels of cabotage, 2023 Table RFS0216

Cabotage within the UK by foreign vehicles is calculated using data from Eurostat. This differs from the measure of cabotage by UK vehicles in the EU which is measured using data from the UK Department for Transport.

Cabotage within the EU by UK-registered HGVs in 2024

UK HGVs undertook a total of 296 million tonne kilometres of cabotage within the EU in 2024, this is an increase of 19% compared to 2023 (249 million tonne kilometres), with cabotage by UK HGVs having been relatively stable from 2018 to 2023.

Chart 5: Cabotage by UK-registered HGVs, 2014 to 2024 Table RFS0131

Cabotage by UK vehicles within the EU is measured using data from the UK Department for Transport. This differs from the measure of cabotage within the UK by foreign vehicles which is calculated using data from Eurostat.

Further sources of information

Other statistics related to freight and trade are available:

Domestic road freight statistics

Road goods vehicles travelling to Europe 

ONS UK trade statistical bulletins 

Port freight statistics 

Rail freight statistics

Aviation statistics

Please contact road freight statistics if you have any questions about DfT road freight statistics.

About these statistics

These statistics were independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation in December 2016. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics and should be labelled ‘accredited official statistics.

The continued designation of the road freight statistics as accredited official statistics was confirmed following a compliance check by the Office for Statistics Regulation against the Code of Practice in July 2016.

Data source

Previously international road freight data was collected via paper surveys until August 2021, when the method to collect data transitioned to an online survey. An investigation of the data concluded that the methodology change does not affect the comparability of the international data.

Accompanying data tables are available which give further detail on the key results presented in the statistical release.

Further information about the statistics and methodology in this report can be found in the road freight domestic and international statistics guidance.

Strengths and weaknesses of data

The figures in this release are derived from the International Road Haulage Survey (IRHS) combined with international trips collected under the Domestic Road Haulage Survey (NI) to provide a complete picture of the international freight activity carried out by UK-registered HGVs.

Excluded from the survey are HGVs registered in Northern Ireland making trips within the island of Ireland, foreign-registered vehicles and vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or less gross vehicle weight (Light Goods Vehicles).

The IRHS is a continuous survey which collects a range of information on freight movements from a sample of 1,705 firms holding a standard international HGV licence in 2024. These licences are issued by the eight regional Traffic Commissioner Offices (TCO) and data are provided to the DfT by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). In 2024, there were 2,302 surveys issued with 2,275 being completed giving an overall survey response rate of 99%. Of those surveys completed, 37% of respondents provided information on international trips; 41% indicated they were still conducting international work but made no international trips during their survey period and 22% of firms indicated they conduct domestic work only or had ceased trading.

IRHS survey figures are scaled up to be representative of the total volume of HGV traffic travelling from GB to mainland Europe using ferry routes and the Channel Tunnel. This information is collected from returns provided by the roll-on roll-off ferry operators (RoRo), giving the number of powered vehicles and unaccompanied trailers carried on each route from GB to mainland Europe, and from monthly information supplied by Eurotunnel.

The use of RoRo data to weight the IRHS data may introduce a small bias for data on imports because RoRo information is collected on outward traffic only. This will affect the weighting of vehicles which return to the UK using a route different than that for the outward journey. RoRo data is also only able to disaggregate between UK and foreign vehicles. An assumption is therefore made on the proportion of UK vehicles which are registered in Northern Ireland to obtain an estimate of GB-registered vehicles.

This release and its contents partly rely on the use of administrative data from DVLA and DVSA. DfT have assessed the impact of this on the quality of these statistics, a report on which can be found in the Quality assurance of administrative data sources: Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency and Quality assurance of administrative data sources: Driver Vehicle Standards Agency.

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Contact details

Road freight statistics

Email roadfreight.stats@dft.gov.uk

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