Milk run from Europe to Kyiv: groupage freight in 4–7 days
Smart Routes delivers groupage freight from Germany, the Benelux countries and eastern France to Kyiv in 4–7 days from the first pickup. We run it as a milk run: one truck collects cargo from suppliers' warehouses along the route, one after another. We take shipments from one pallet and clear them through our own customs brokerage department.
What a milk run is
A milk run (Milkrun in Germany) is a round trip in which a truck follows a route planned in advance and calls at clients' warehouses or partner warehouses in turn. It collects cargo at each stop until the truck is full, and then heads to Ukraine.
If a shipment is not ready when the first truck passes, it automatically moves to the next one. This is built into the planning, so the client does not have to arrange a new transport.
How a milk run differs from standard groupage
In the standard model, cargo first travels to a consolidation warehouse and waits there until a full truck is assembled. In a milk run, the truck comes to the supplier and the trip leaves on schedule.
As a result, transit times come close to air freight, at a much lower cost.
Lines and schedule
Three lines are in operation:
- Germany — Kyiv
- Benelux countries — Kyiv
- Eastern France — Kyiv
A line from Italy is planned.
Trips run every week. Cargo is collected on each line from Wednesday to Friday. To make the next trip, the order must be placed by Friday of the previous week.
In Europe we rely on partner warehouses in key logistics hubs.
Transit time
It takes 4–7 days from the first pickup on the route to arrival at our main warehouse in Kyiv. The exact time depends on the route.
What cargo is suitable
- From one pallet.
- There is no upper limit per client: you can fill the whole truck, as long as the cargo is collected from different pickup points. With a single pickup point, it becomes a dedicated full-truck shipment (FTL).
- A 10-tonne or 20-tonne truck is assigned to the trip, depending on the number of clients on the route.
What we do not carry on a milk run:
- dangerous goods: they require a truck of the appropriate class, so we move them as a dedicated full load;
- temperature-controlled cargo: likewise, as a dedicated load;
- oversized cargo: it is not compatible with a round trip.
What the freight rate includes
- Pickup from the supplier's warehouse: the truck calls there on its route.
- Basic CMR insurance.
Charged separately:
- the export declaration, which we prepare;
- additional insurance covering the full value of the cargo less a deductible; the deductible depends on the invoice value;
- onward delivery from Kyiv to other regions.
Customs clearance and delivery within Ukraine
The truck arrives at our main warehouse in Kyiv, which includes a customs warehouse. Cargo can stay there under customs control (declaration type IM 74) and be cleared when it is actually needed, including in part-lots: duties and taxes are paid when the goods are released, not on the day of arrival.
Import clearance is handled by Smart Routes' own customs brokerage department — see our page on customs clearance in Ukraine.
After clearance, if the client wishes, we find a truck and arrange delivery to other regions of Ukraine.
How to order
A booking request is all we need to start. We work on EXW and FCA terms.
The customer can be either a Ukrainian importer or a European shipper. The freight can be paid in Ukraine or in Europe.
Each shipment has a dedicated manager who stays in touch with the client from booking to delivery.
How much it costs
The price depends on the number of pallets, the weight, and the distance of the pickup point from the route.
We do not publish rates on the website, and here is why: because of the global energy crisis, fuel prices rise every week, and a per-pallet rate goes out of date within days. Instead, we provide a quote for a specific date within one hour of the request.
For European freight forwarders
We accept partners' cargo on our trips and act as your partner in Ukraine: pickup in Europe, delivery to Kyiv, customs clearance and onward delivery to the regions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum shipment size?
One pallet.
When does the order need to be placed?
By Friday of the previous week. Cargo is collected on the line from Wednesday to Friday.
What happens if the supplier does not have the cargo ready in time?
The cargo automatically moves to the next truck. There is no need to book a new transport.
Do you collect cargo from the supplier's warehouse?
Yes, it is included in the freight rate: the truck calls at the supplier's warehouse on its route.
How many days until the cargo is in Kyiv?
4–7 days from the first pickup on the route, depending on the line.
Can I ship dangerous goods or temperature-controlled cargo?
Not on a milk run. We move such cargo as a dedicated full load on a truck of the appropriate class.
Do you prepare the export declaration?
Yes, for a separate fee.
Who can pay for the transport?
Either the Ukrainian importer or the European shipper — in Ukraine or in Europe.
Does the cargo have to be cleared as soon as it arrives?
No. It can stay in the customs warehouse under customs control and be cleared later, including in part-lots. Duties and taxes are paid when the goods are released.
Can you deliver to another city in Ukraine?
Yes. After customs clearance in Kyiv, we arrange onward delivery to other regions if the client needs it.