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FLEX. Logistics
We provide logistics services to online retailers in Europe: Amazon FBA prep, processing FBA removal orders, forwarding to Fulfillment Centers - both FBA and Vendor shipments.
Europe’s logistics sector is under pressure from multiple fronts—regulation, costs, labour, infrastructure, customer expectations—all while global supply chains demand greater speed and transparency. For companies like FLEX Logistics (or simply FLEX), which offer e-commerce fulfilment, Amazon FBA prep, forwarding, customs clearance, returns processing and warehousing across Germany, Poland, France, UK, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain etc., navigating these challenges effectively is essential.
Here are the top logistic challenges in Europe today – and how FLEX is positioned to address them.
Driver Shortage & Ageing Workforce
One of the most serious bottlenecks in European road transport is the shortage of qualified drivers. Over 230,000 truck drivers are currently needed in EU, Norway and the UK alone, and projections indicate this deficit could rise to ≈ 745,000 by 2028 if current trends continue.
Solutions:
Increasing incentives (higher pay, bonuses, better conditions) for drivers.
Streamlining licensing and entry requirements for younger candidates.
Encouraging more diversity in the profession (gender, nationality).
Using technology & automation (route planning, better logistics workflows) to reduce driver burden.
FLEX can mitigate the impact of driver shortages by optimizing transport consolidation, providing shared forwarding and by locating warehouses close to key routes and Amazon Fulfillment Centers to reduce last-mile/truck leg distances.
Rising Transportation & Operational Costs
Fuel, vehicle maintenance, tolls, toll/vignette fees, insurance, labour costs and environmental compliance are increasing costs significantly. Fuel typically makes up 20–30% of operating costs for road freight.
Also, inflation in the EU for transport services has fluctuated, with domestic road transport prices rising by around 2–4% annually in many countries.
Solutions:
Use efficient routing & load optimization to reduce empty runs.
Invest in more fuel-efficient or low-emission vehicles.
Negotiate better rates with carriers leveraging scale.
Pass through some costs transparently to customers.
Use consolidation & cross-dock operations.
FLEX can absorb part of these cost pressures by placing warehousing close to sea, rail, air terminals and highways, reducing forwarding and haulage distances, enabling forward stocking & lower shipment costs to Amazon fulfillment centres.
Regulatory Complexity & Customs Delays
Different countries have different customs, import/VAT/tax rules, cross-border regulations (e.g. mobility / driver rules), environmental and safety standards. This is particularly relevant for non-EU imports or goods moving across EU external borders. Delays in customs clearance, missing or incorrect documentation or changing regulatory regimes can lead to cost overruns and shipment delays.
Solutions:
Hire or partner with experienced customs agents who know local rules.
Maintain up-to-date compliance with EU & national regulations.
Use digital documentation & keep track of HS codes etc.
Build in buffer time for customs & regulatory certs when planning shipments.
FLEX offers import customs clearance services and auto-preps shipments to comply with Amazon / Vendor FC rules in the EU, which helps customers avoid common delays. Their warehouses are placed strategically, and their teams are knowledgeable in forwarding regulations.
Infrastructure & Capacity Constraints
Europe’s logistics infrastructure is strained in many regions. Issues include:
Congestion at ports and at key border crossings.
Varied road quality, parking/rest facilities for trucks.
Differing toll and road-usage charges across countries.
Limited capacity or inefficiency in some inland transport modes.
These constraints can slow shipments, raise costs and reduce reliability.
Solutions:
Use multi-modal transport (sea, rail, road) where possible.
Choose warehouse locations near ports, terminals, major highways.
Improve planning to avoid peak congestion, re-route dynamically.
Invest or partner in infrastructure (or use providers who already have good infrastructure).
FLEX chooses warehouse locations “close to sea and rail container terminals, cargo airports and highways” to minimize delays and forwarding costs. This reduces exposure to infrastructure bottlenecks.
Customer Expectations & Last-Mile Complexity
E-commerce buyers across Europe expect fast delivery, full tracking, easy returns, transparent costs, sometimes even same-day or next-day delivery in certain countries. Last-mile delivery cost increases are hurting margins. For example, many logistics firms report last-mile cost increases in Europe between 10-20% in recent years.
Returns (reverse logistics) add complexity, especially cross-border, with customs, documentation and cost issues. Varied delivery expectations depending on country complicate things.
Solutions:
Offering local returns addresses so customers don’t need to ship long distances.
Clear shipping cost transparency (incl. taxes, duties) in checkout.
Use distributed fulfilment / regional hubs for faster delivery.
Robust tracking & communication throughout delivery.
FLEX’s B2C / B2B fulfilment, returns processing, and FBA removal & forwarding all help brands meet these expectations. Their multiple warehouse locations across central Europe allow faster shipping to Amazon FCs and end customers.
Why It’s Worth Working with FLEX
Here’s what makes FLEX a strategic partner in solving these challenges:
Comprehensive Service Portfolio – From import customs clearance, FBA prep, forwarding to Amazon FCs, returns, warehousing and B2C/B2B fulfilment. Customers get end-to-end solutions.
Strategic Location of Warehouses – Close to ports, rail terminals, highways, and Amazon Fulfilment Centers. This reduces transport times and costs and mitigates infrastructure/route-based challenges.
Scalable & Flexible Offerings – Whether clients ship a single pallet a month or full containers, FLEX can scale with volume and needs. No rigid minimums in many cases.
Expert Regulatory & Customs Knowledge – Working with Amazon Vendor/FBA, forwarding, customs clearance means FLEX has expertise to manage regulatory complexity and avoid common pitfalls.
Cost-Effective Storage & Fulfilment – Avoiding high fees (e.g. Amazon’s storage fees) via more favourable warehouse storage rates; efficient fulfilment operations offering quality even for smaller volumes
Turning Europe’s Logistic Challenges into Opportunities with FLEX Logistics
In today’s fast-changing logistics landscape, challenges like driver shortages, rising transport costs, complex customs regulations, and growing customer expectations can easily disrupt supply chains. However, with the right partner, these challenges become opportunities to streamline operations and gain a competitive edge. FLEX Logistics transforms logistical obstacles into growth potential by combining advanced technology, strategically located warehouses, and end-to-end service expertise across Europe. From customs clearance and Amazon FBA prep to warehousing, forwarding, and returns management, FLEX delivers reliability, transparency, and scalability that empower businesses to expand seamlessly across European markets. By partnering with FLEX Logistics, companies don’t just overcome Europe’s logistics challenges — they turn them into lasting advantages for efficiency, sustainability, and long-term success.
