According to the current directive in force, Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996, for certain road vehicles driving in Europe, the dimensions and weight authorized in national and international traffic for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) are 18,25m long and weighing 40 tons maximum to cross borders of Member States.

But some countries allow longer and heavier trucks on their national territory like Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. In contrast, countries like Austria, Poland, Baltic states etc are strongly against longer and heavier trucks.

Belgium authorities allow a maximum weight of 44 tons for national transport.

When you cross border to France by truck a maximum weight of 40 tons needs to be respected.

This limitation does not apply for multimodal transportation.

This border limitation also does not apply for other neighboring countries of Belgium

To make it more complicated trucktransport in France also allows 44 tons max weight for truck transport.

As a result you could load a heavier ctr on a train/barge to France and arrange last mile by truck with total maximum weight of 44 tons

This 44 tons (or 40 tons cfr Border) include trailer and Truck weight

Since a standard trailer/truck combination weighs approx. 15-16 tons a general maximum weight of 25tons gross weight is advised to allow a small margin.

(in theory you could go to max 28 tons gross weight)

For any addtl info plse mail us at log@be.yangming.com