On 1 December 2023, the German government steeply increased the kilometre charge (Maut) by adding a CO2 tax. For flower traders, this leads to an increase in overall costs by a few percent. While this may not seem much, it could just make the difference between profit and loss.
For the first 11 months of 2023, a 40-tonne Euro 6 truck travelling from the Dutch Bulb Region to the Munich area used to pay EUR 270 in toll charges (Maut). As of 1 December, however, the same trip will incur around EUR 490 in toll costs, representing a near doubling of fees.
The above case study was issued by Van Dooren Transport in Hillegom. This company is specialised in the transport of flower bulbs, flowers, plants, trees, packaging materials and agricultural equipment. Like all other transporters/exporters passing through Germany, it is facing a sharp increase in toll charges.
