Question 1

What does Johnson's Haulage actually do?

Accepted Answer

We are a Stockport-based transport and logistics company. We plan, book and manage UK and European freight movements on behalf of our customers, sourcing the right vehicle for each job through an approved carrier network and managing the movement end to end from collection to proof of delivery.

Question 2

How do I get a quotation?

Accepted Answer

Send collection and delivery postcodes, the number and size of items or pallets, total weight, whether the goods are stackable, and your required collection or delivery date. Call 0161 669 1949 or use the quote form and we will usually return a firm price the same working day.

Question 3

How is transport priced?

Accepted Answer

Pricing reflects distance, vehicle size, how much of the vehicle your load takes up, loading and unloading time, and how urgent the movement is. Shared or part-load space costs less than a dedicated vehicle; a same-day dedicated run costs more because the vehicle carries only your freight.

Question 4

How much notice do you need?

Accepted Answer

Booked next-day and scheduled work is best confirmed the day before. Same-day and urgent movements can often be covered within a couple of hours of your call, subject to vehicle availability in the collection area.

Question 5

Which areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Collections and deliveries across every UK postcode including Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, plus regular road freight to and from mainland Europe and Ireland.

Question 6

Is my freight insured in transit?

Accepted Answer

Every carrier we use is checked for a valid operator licence and goods-in-transit cover before it moves your freight. Standard cover is per-tonne based under RHA conditions, so tell us the value of the consignment and we can arrange higher all-risks cover where needed.

Question 7

Do you provide proof of delivery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Signed proof of delivery is obtained on every consignment and sent to you after delivery, along with any timed delivery evidence you have asked for.

Question 8

Can I open a credit account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Regular customers can apply for a trade account, which gives agreed payment terms and consolidated invoicing rather than paying per booking. Submit the trade account form and we will confirm terms once references are checked.

Question 9

Can you handle regular contracted work?

Accepted Answer

We do. Recurring routes, scheduled distribution runs and dedicated vehicles on contract are all arranged, with agreed rates and a named transport coordinator handling your account.

Question 10

Is there a customer portal?

Accepted Answer

A customer portal is in development. It is not live yet, so bookings, updates and documents currently come directly from your transport coordinator by phone and email.

Question 11

Road Freight: Do you offer same-day haulage across the UK?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our dedicated same-day service typically arranges collection within 60 minutes of booking anywhere in mainland UK, with a straight run to the delivery point and progress updates along the way.

Question 12

Road Freight: What size vehicles can you arrange?

Accepted Answer

Through our approved carrier network we can source everything from small vans and Luton tail-lifts to 7.5t, 18t and 26t rigids, 44-tonne articulated units, flatbeds and crane-mounted vehicles.

Question 13

Warehousing: Can I store just a few pallets?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we can arrange storage from a single pallet through to a full contract programme, with clear per-pallet, per-week pricing on ad-hoc storage.

Question 14

Warehousing: Do you integrate with my e-commerce platform?

Accepted Answer

Our fulfilment partners integrate with Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Amazon, eBay and most major platforms via API or EDI, so orders flow automatically.

Question 15

Air Freight: How long does air freight take from Asia to the UK?

Accepted Answer

Typical door-to-door transit is 4–7 days on consolidated services, 2–4 days on express, or same-day / next-day on hand-carry and priority products.

Question 16

Air Freight: Can you handle dangerous goods by air?

Accepted Answer

Dangerous goods shipments are booked through qualified handling agents and airlines. Send us the UN number and packing details and we will confirm feasibility, routing and cost.

Question 17

Sea Freight: How long does sea freight take from China to the UK?

Accepted Answer

Typical port-to-port transit is 30–40 days on standard services and 20–28 days on premium express ocean products, with a further 5–10 days on LCL groupage for deconsolidation.

Question 18

Sea Freight: What is the difference between FCL and LCL?

Accepted Answer

FCL (Full Container Load) is a full container booked exclusively to you. LCL (Less-than-Container Load) is groupage — your cargo shares a container with other shippers and is charged per cubic metre.

Question 19

Supply Chain: What does supply chain management involve?

Accepted Answer

We take responsibility for planning, procuring and managing your freight across every mode, coordinating carriers, warehousing and customs partners under one contract, one KPI framework and one point of accountability.

Question 20

Supply Chain: Do you handle both UK import and export customs?

Accepted Answer

Import and export declarations are prepared and filed through our approved customs partners, including support for postponed VAT accounting, duty deferment and preference claims.

Question 21

European Transport: Is customs clearance included in your European transport rates?

Accepted Answer

Yes — standard export and import declarations are included on most lanes, so you get a single all-in price for door-to-door transport and paperwork.

Question 22

European Transport: How long does UK to Germany transport take?

Accepted Answer

Groupage typically runs on a 3–5 working-day transit; dedicated full loads can deliver next-day or 48-hour depending on the region and driver hours.

Question 23

Dedicated Transport: What is dedicated transport?

Accepted Answer

Dedicated transport is a vehicle sourced through our carrier network and committed exclusively to your freight for the duration of the job — it does not carry other customers' loads or make unrelated stops.

Question 24

Dedicated Transport: How is dedicated transport different from groupage?

Accepted Answer

Groupage combines several customers' freight onto one vehicle to share cost, which can mean multiple stops and longer transit. Dedicated transport carries only your freight, on a schedule built around your requirements.

Question 25

Pallet Distribution: What is the minimum number of pallets I can send?

Accepted Answer

There is no minimum — pallet distribution is designed for consignments from a single pallet upwards, priced per pallet rather than by vehicle.

Question 26

Pallet Distribution: How long does next-day pallet delivery take?

Accepted Answer

Standard next-day services collected before the daily cut-off are delivered the following working day to most UK postcodes; remote areas may take an extra day.

Question 27

Same Day Delivery: How quickly can you collect for a same-day delivery?

Accepted Answer

We aim to have a vehicle on site within around 60 minutes of confirming the booking, depending on location, vehicle type and time of day.

Question 28

Same Day Delivery: Is same-day delivery available outside office hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes, out-of-hours same-day cover can be arranged for genuine urgent requirements — contact us to confirm availability for your location.

Question 29

Contract Logistics: What is contract logistics?

Accepted Answer

Contract logistics is an ongoing, managed transport arrangement — rather than booking each movement individually, we run your transport programme against agreed volumes, service levels and reporting under a single contract.

Question 30

Contract Logistics: How is performance reported under a contract logistics programme?

Accepted Answer

Against a jointly agreed KPI scorecard, typically covering on-time performance, cost, damage/loss and documentation accuracy, reported on a regular schedule and reviewed together.

Question 31

Commercial Distribution: What is commercial distribution?

Accepted Answer

Commercial distribution is the delivery of goods from a single despatch to multiple destinations — such as retail stores, distribution centres or trade customers — on a planned multi-drop route.

Question 32

Commercial Distribution: Can you meet retailer DC booking-in requirements?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we prepare labelling and documentation to match individual retailer and distribution-centre standards and manage the booking-in process ahead of delivery.

Question 33

Long wheel base van: How many pallets fit in a long wheel base van?

Accepted Answer

Typically three standard UK pallets, subject to a payload of around 1,400 kg. If your pallets are taller than 1.7 m or heavier, we would recommend a Luton or 7.5 tonne vehicle instead.

Question 34

Long wheel base van: Can you collect a van load today?

Accepted Answer

In most cases yes. Call our Stockport office and we will check live availability across our approved carrier network; same day collections within the North West are usually achievable within a couple of hours of booking.

Question 35

4 metre Sprinter van: What is the longest item a Sprinter van can carry?

Accepted Answer

Around 4.2 m, depending on how the item can be positioned. For anything longer we would look at a Luton, a rigid box or a flatbed.

Question 36

4 metre Sprinter van: How quickly can a Sprinter be on site?

Accepted Answer

For same day work in Greater Manchester and the wider North West, typically within one to two hours of confirming the booking, subject to carrier availability.

Question 37

Luton van: Does a Luton van come with a tail lift?

Accepted Answer

Many do, but not all. If you need a tail lift, tell us at the point of booking and we will source a tail-lift equipped vehicle from our carrier network.

Question 38

Luton van: What is the payload of a Luton van?

Accepted Answer

Around 1,000 kg on a typical 3.5 tonne Luton. Heavier consignments should move on a 7.5 tonne or 18 tonne rigid.

Question 39

7.5 tonne rigid: How many pallets does a 7.5 tonne lorry hold?

Accepted Answer

Typically 10 standard UK pallets, with a payload of around 2,800 kg depending on the vehicle's specification and equipment.

Question 40

7.5 tonne rigid: Can a 7.5 tonne vehicle deliver into central Manchester?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is one of the most common vehicle choices for city-centre delivery, though we check timed access restrictions and clean air requirements before dispatch.

Question 41

18 tonne rigid: How many pallets fit on an 18 tonne lorry?

Accepted Answer

Around 14 standard pallets, with a payload of up to approximately 9,000 kg depending on the vehicle and body type.

Question 42

18 tonne rigid: What is the difference between an 18 tonne rigid and an artic?

Accepted Answer

An 18 tonne rigid is a single unit carrying around 14 pallets; an articulated unit and trailer carries up to 26 pallets but needs far more space to manoeuvre and turn.

Question 43

Articulated lorry: How many pallets fit on an articulated lorry?

Accepted Answer

Up to 26 standard UK pallets on a standard curtain-sided trailer, subject to a maximum payload of around 26 tonnes.

Question 44

Articulated lorry: Do I need a full load to use an artic?

Accepted Answer

No. Where you have a part load we can arrange shared trailer space, or step down to an 18 tonne rigid if that suits the volume better.

Question 45

Flatbed trailer: What can a flatbed trailer carry?

Accepted Answer

Steel, timber, machinery, tanks, modular buildings and any load that must be craned or side-loaded. Payloads run to around 27 tonnes on an articulated flatbed.

Question 46

Flatbed trailer: Do you sheet flatbed loads?

Accepted Answer

Where weather protection is needed, yes. We confirm sheeting and securing arrangements before the vehicle is dispatched.

Question 47

Hiab crane vehicle: What is a Hiab vehicle?

Accepted Answer

A lorry fitted with a hydraulic loader crane, allowing it to lift its own load on and off and place it accurately without site lifting equipment.

Question 48

Hiab crane vehicle: How much can a Hiab lift?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the crane rating and reach. A 65 tonne-metre crane lifts substantially more close to the vehicle than at full extension, so we size the crane against your weight and radius.

Question 49

Construction: Can you deliver into sites with restricted access?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We ask about gate width, headroom, ground conditions and available site plant before confirming a vehicle. Where an articulated trailer cannot physically reach the unloading point, we arrange rigid vehicles, moffett-equipped trailers or crane-mounted units through the approved carrier network.

Question 50

Manufacturing: Can you support line-side and inbound delivery schedules?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Inbound movements are planned backwards from your line requirement, with collection booked at the supplier and arrival confirmed against your goods-in window.

Question 51

Retail: Can you deliver into supermarket and RDC booking systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bookings are made against the retailer's delivery portal, and the paperwork requirements of the receiving DC are confirmed before the vehicle is loaded.

Question 52

Automotive: Can you arrange same-day movements for line-stop situations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dedicated same-day vehicles can usually be sourced the same morning, and for longer distances we will compare a dedicated van against a same-day air option on cost and arrival time.

Question 53

Healthcare: Can temperature-controlled movements be arranged?

Accepted Answer

Temperature-sensitive movements can be arranged through partners with the appropriate equipment and monitoring. Tell us the required range at enquiry stage so we can confirm capability before booking.

Question 54

Food & Beverage: Can chilled and ambient loads be arranged?

Accepted Answer

Ambient movements are arranged directly; temperature-sensitive movements can be arranged through partners operating the appropriate equipment. Confirm the temperature range with us at quotation stage.

Question 55

E-commerce: Can you handle inbound container deliveries to a fulfilment site?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We arrange port collection, haulage to your fulfilment partner and, where required, unloading and palletisation through partner warehousing.

Question 56

Industrial & Engineering: Can you move oversized or out-of-gauge items?

Accepted Answer

Project and abnormal loads are arranged through specialist partners, including route surveys and any notifications required before the movement.

Question 57

Chemicals & Hazardous Goods: Do you transport hazardous goods under ADR?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Packaged dangerous goods are arranged through carriers with ADR-trained drivers and appropriately equipped vehicles. We confirm the classification with you before booking so the right carrier is appointed.

Question 58

Agriculture & Rural Supply: Can you deliver to farms with restricted access?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We ask about track width, turning space and ground conditions before confirming a vehicle, and use rigid vehicles or crane-mounted units where an articulated trailer cannot get in.

Question 59

Energy & Renewables: Can you move out-of-gauge renewable energy components?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Where dimensions exceed standard trailer limits we arrange low-loaders, extendable or step-frame trailers through specialist carriers, including movement notification where required.

Question 60

Events & Exhibitions: Can you deliver into venue build slots?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We book the access window with the venue, confirm it to you in writing and plan the collection backwards from that slot so the vehicle arrives inside it.

A Stockport transport business built on 42+ years of experience

Road, air, sea and warehousing under one point of contact

Freight planned around how your industry actually operates

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