Truck levy changes affecting your shipments via the Netherlands and BelgiumWhat question is your article answering?

On 1 July 2026, the Dutch government is introducing a mandatory truck levy. From that date, trucks will pay a per-kilometre charge on virtually all motorways and a significant portion of provincial and municipal roads. This is a statutory measure, comparable to the kilometre levy that has been in place in Belgium for years.

We want to keep you informed in good time about what this means in practice for the transport costs on your shipments through the Netherlands.

What is the truck levy?
The government charges truck owners per kilometre driven on designated roads. The rate per kilometre depends on the weight and emission class of the vehicle: the cleaner the truck, the lower the charge. Every truck is legally required to carry an onboard unit that records the kilometres driven.

Revenue from the levy is intended to make road transport in the Netherlands more sustainable, including through subsidies for electric trucks and charging infrastructure.

For more information about the scheme, visit vrachtwagenheffing.nl.

What does this mean for your shipments?
Shypple passes the truck levy through to you as a separate line item on your invoice. The calculation differs by shipment type:

• FCL: €0.21/km × round-trip distance
• LCL / groupage: 7.5% surcharge on domestic transport costs

For FCL shipments, distance is based on the postcode distance table. Your invoice will always show the exact kilometres and the corresponding amount.

Temporary discount from 1 September 2026
The government has announced a temporary 22.3% reduction in the truck levy, applicable from 1 September through 31 December 2026. This is a relief measure in response to high diesel prices in the sector.

As soon as our transport partners confirm how they will process this discount, we will adjust our calculations accordingly and notify you promptly.

Belgium: kilometre levy rate increase
Belgium's kilometre levy for trucks has been in place for some time. As of 1 July 2026, the rate increases from €0.21 to €0.29 per kilometre, a rise of 38%. This too is a government decision, passed through by carriers to shippers. You can expect this increase to be reflected in your Belgian transport costs from July onwards.

Air freight: fixed surcharge per road transport movement
For air freight shipments without temperature control, both import and export, a fixed surcharge of €17.50 per road transport movement will apply from 1 July 2026. This surcharge will appear as a separate line item on your invoice.

Questions?
If you have questions about how the truck levy affects your specific shipments or contracts, please reach out to your regular Shypple contact. We are happy to provide a concrete overview.