- An empty trip still pays the driver, the fuel and the HVF: in Switzerland, the fee is calculated on kilometres and the vehicle’s maximum authorised weight, not on the load.
- A vehicle registered abroad may not carry out domestic transport in Switzerland, apart from very narrow exceptions.
- The Switzerland-EU agreements signed on 2 March 2026 do not change this for road transport: cabotage remains excluded.
- The best weapon: publish your return trip early, on your regular corridors, and get alerted to requests along your route.
What an empty return really costs
On a round trip, the return leg is usually as long as the outbound leg. If it runs empty, you still pay for:
- the driver’s time;
- fuel and vehicle wear;
- the HVF, the Swiss performance-related heavy vehicle fee.
Often overlooked: according to the FOCBS, the HVF is calculated on the kilometres driven in Switzerland, the maximum authorised weight shown in the vehicle registration and the emission category. The weight actually loaded does not count: an empty trip costs the same fee as a full one.
What the rules say: cabotage
Cabotage is a transport carried out entirely within one country by a vehicle registered in another country.
- In Switzerland: according to the FOCBS leaflet, only vehicles cleared through customs and registered in Switzerland may carry out domestic transport. A foreign truck may therefore not load in Lausanne to deliver in Zurich, apart from rare exceptions (certain trailer movements, construction equipment, temporary FOCBS authorisation).
- Between Switzerland and the EU: road cabotage remains excluded. The new agreements signed on 2 March 2026 do not change this for road freight, and they are not yet in force.
In practice: for a Swiss carrier delivering to France, the right return load runs from France to Switzerland. For a French carrier delivering to Switzerland, it runs from Switzerland to the EU.
The methods that work
- Publish early. A return announced the day before finds a taker more easily than one announced at unloading.
- Work your corridors. The same routes come back every week: that is where regular shippers look for you.
- Accept groupage. A few pallets are better than an empty truck, especially on a long return.
- Set a realistic return price. The marginal cost of a return is low: an attractive price fills the truck.
- Build a trusted network. Shippers who know you give you their consignments first.
Shippers: why book a return
For a shipper, booking a carrier’s return capacity is often worthwhile: the truck passes along your corridor anyway, and the carrier has every interest in filling it. The point to watch is the date: the return follows the carrier’s schedule, so it is ideal for consignments with some flexibility.
In FretCom, the carrier publishes its empty return in a few seconds. Shippers on the corridor are alerted and book the capacity at the price set by the carrier. The partner reserve lets you offer your returns to your trusted customers first, and FretCom Connect helps you build that network.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign truck load in Switzerland to deliver in Switzerland?
In principle, no. According to the FOCBS, domestic transport is reserved for vehicles cleared through customs and registered in Switzerland, with very narrow exceptions.
Is the HVF cheaper for an empty trip?
No. It is calculated on the kilometres driven in Switzerland, the vehicle’s maximum authorised weight and its emission category, not on the actual load.
Do the 2026 Switzerland-EU agreements open up cabotage?
Not for road freight: cabotage remains excluded. These agreements, signed on 2 March 2026, are not yet in force.
How should I price a return trip?
The marginal cost of a return is low, since the trip happens anyway. A price below the corridor market price attracts shippers while covering your costs better than driving empty.
Sources
- FOCBS · Calculation of the HVF (in French)
- FOCBS · Domestic transport (cabotage) leaflet (in French)
- Trans.info · EU-Switzerland agreement and cabotage (5 March 2026, in French)
This guide provides general information that is up to date on the date shown. It does not replace the advice of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS), your forwarder or your accountant for a specific case.