Potato transport & onion transport

Transporting potatoes, onions, and root vegetables requires specific attention. Your products need to be transported “simply” from A to B, but there are specific rules and conditions to take into account. These specific product groups share many similarities, especially in transport. You can read more about it on this page!

As EASY Road Transport, we are experts in transport to and from the UK. Naturally, we know everything about transport across the North Sea, but that’s not all! We also have extensive knowledge of transport in general, as you can read in our knowledge base. We frequently encounter certain product groups, which naturally allows us to build expertise. In this post, you will therefore read more about the transport of potatoes, onions, and root vegetables.

What should you consider regarding onion and potato transport?

When transporting potatoes and onions, it is useful to take various aspects into consideration. We describe them below:

---

---

1. Packaging: It is important to pack potatoes and onions in sturdy, shock-resistant packaging that provides protection against damage during transport. If the potatoes and onions are packed in big bags, we can easily transport them in our trailers.
2. Air circulation: When loading potatoes and other crops, you must ensure sufficient air circulation to prevent damage or spoilage. It is therefore not recommended to seal the big bags or stack anything on top of them during transport.
3. Travel time: Potatoes and onions are naturally at their best when fresh, so it is important to keep the travel time as short as possible. Therefore, always choose a carrier that can guarantee fast transit times. Our standard is usually Monday loading – Wednesday unloading, but where necessary, we can even deliver within one working day. Want to know more? Drop us a line!
4. Means of transport: Various means of transport are available for the transport of potatoes, such as trucks, trains, ships, etc. You must choose the most suitable means of transport based on the quantity of potatoes, the distance, and the specific requirements for the cargo. In most cases, a truck will prove to be the most efficient means of transport due to its flexible deployment options.

Exporting potatoes and onions

When exporting potatoes and onions abroad, you must take the following aspects into account:

1. Regulations: Ensure that you are familiar with the regulations regarding the export of potatoes to the country of destination. This includes rules on packaging, labeling, inspections, and certification. Within the EU, you essentially have free movement of goods, although there are sometimes specific packaging requirements, for example.
   
   Outside the EU, this can be more complicated. There are often stricter rules for the inspection and transport of goods, especially when it concerns organic products. Please note that since Brexit, this also applies to the United Kingdom!
   
2. Customs regulations: Take into account the customs regulations of the country to which you want to transport the potatoes. This includes the payment of customs duties and the provision of customs documents.
   
3. Means of transport: Choose the right means of transport for the export of potatoes and onions, depending on the distance, the quantity, and the specific requirements of the cargo. In most cases, a truck will prove to be the most efficient means of transport due to its flexible deployment options.
   
4. Communication: Ensure sufficient communication with the importer and carrier to ensure that the potatoes are delivered on time and in good condition. It is therefore also advisable to choose a carrier that is easily accessible, so that you are always informed about the status of your shipment. Our EASY Roaders, for example, are always at your service!

How many tons of root vegetables fit in a trailer

In a standard trailer, we can load 26 to 28 tons of goods. This is related to the maximum mass of a vehicle and the type of truck used for the trailer. Depending on the axle configuration of the truck, the maximum weight in the trailer may vary, but we can always load 26 tons.

Potatoes in big bags

You can transport potatoes, onions, and other root vegetables in various ways. You can choose big bags, walking floors, or tippers. Transporting in big bags is the most efficient method. As a carrier operating with trucks, we also assume that you want to transport your goods in our high-quality trailers.

Big bags are a popular solution for transporting potatoes. They offer several advantages:

1. Capacity: Big bags can carry a large volume of crops, making transport more efficient.
2. Protection: Big bags are made of sturdy material and offer protection against damage during transport. This is a major advantage, especially for vegetables transported without individual packaging!
3. Convenience: Big bags are easy to load and unload, making transport faster and more efficient.
4. Environmentally friendly: Big bags can be reused, contributing to a reduction in waste and environmental impact.

It is important to pack and transport the potatoes correctly to maintain quality.

---

---

Onion and potato export to the UK

When exporting potatoes to the UK, you must take various aspects into account. Since Brexit, the UK is outside the EU, and different rules apply.

1. Regulations: Ensure you are familiar with the specific regulations for exporting onions and potatoes to the UK. This includes requirements for packaging, labeling, inspections, and certification. Check these carefully before sending your first exports!
2. Customs regulations: Take into account UK customs regulations, such as customs duties and mandatory customs documents. These must be in order before crossing the border.
3. Mandatory inspections: The UK sometimes requires inspections of the cargo before the potatoes are delivered. You should therefore account for a possible check at the border.
4. Phytosanitary inspections: Ensure that the potatoes are free from diseases and pests that could cause damage to UK agriculture. For this, it is useful to monitor the website of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). They communicate the most recent phytosanitary requirements regarding potato transport.
5. Communication: Ensure good communication with the importer and carrier to guarantee that the potatoes are delivered on time and in good condition. The speed of transport is crucial when transporting organic products. Our EASY Roaders are always at your service!

It is also noteworthy that there is a difference between seed potatoes and ware potatoes. There is an import ban on seed potatoes from the Netherlands, except under specific conditions. Specific rules also apply to ware potatoes, but there is no import ban.

Customs clearance of potatoes, onions, and root vegetables

There are specific import and export clearance requirements for potatoes, onions, and root vegetables in the UK. This includes:

1. Phytosanitary inspections: The potatoes must meet the phytosanitary requirements of the UK, and sometimes they must be examined by a competent authority before they can be cleared.
2. Labeling and packaging: The potatoes must be correctly packed and labeled, including information on origin, composition, and any treatments.
3. Customs declaration: A correct customs declaration must be submitted for the import and export of potatoes, including the provision of the correct customs documents.
4. Inspections: Inspections may be carried out by customs or other government agencies to ensure that the potatoes comply with regulations and requirements. As an exporter, you must meet all the above requirements to avoid problems.

It is important to know that these rules can vary depending on the specific situation, such as the origin and destination of the potatoes, and current UK regulations. It is therefore wise to seek advice from a specialist or customs expert for more information. Naturally, you can always contact the EASY Roaders; we are happy to think along with you!

HS code potatoes, onions, and root vegetables

An HS code is an internationally used code to classify and identify products. The table below details the various HS codes for potatoes, onions, and similar (root) vegetables.

Heading	HS code	Product
07.01		Potatoes, fresh or chilled
	0701.10	Seeds
	0701.19	Other
07.03		Onions, shallots, garlic, leeks, and other alliaceous vegetables, fresh or chilled
	0703.10	Onions and shallots
	0703.20	Garlic
	0703.90	Leeks and other alliaceous vegetables
07.10		Frozen vegetables (uncooked, cooked, or steamed)
	0710.10	Potatoes
07.12		Dried vegetables, whole, cut, sliced, broken, or in powder, but not further prepared
	0712.20	Onions
07.14		Manioc, arrowroot, salep, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes and similar roots and tubers with high starch or inulin content, fresh, chilled, frozen, or dried, whether or not sliced or in the form of pellets; sago pith.
	0714.10	Manioc (cassava)
	0714.20	Sweet potato
	0714.30	Yams (Dioscorea)
	0714.40	Taro (Colocasia)
	0714.50	Yautia (Xanthosoma)
	0714.90	Other

EASY Road is an expert in the transport of potatoes and onions

As a specialist in transport to and from the UK, we know better than anyone how to get your goods across the border on time and without problems. Fast, careful, and EASY! This certainly applies to your potatoes and onions. These are brought across the North Sea with care. Interested? Contact us, or calculate your rate directly!

---

---