Expedited shipping services
When standard shipping timelines won't suffice, LeShuttle Freight provides the fastest and most reliable expedited shipping service between the UK and mainland Europe. Our dedicated cross-Channel solution ensures the speedy onward movement of your time-critical shipments.
Why choose LeShuttle Freight for your expedited shipping?
LeShuttle Freight offers a unique combination of speed, reliability, safety and efficiency for expedited cross-Channel freight. Crossings from Folkestone to Calais take just 35 minutes – significantly faster than using a freight ferry service, which is usually at least 90 minutes from Dover to Calais. With departures up to six times an hour, 365 days a year, your urgent shipments won’t be hanging around.
Our terminal locations in the UK and France provide direct motorway access, minimizing total journey time. For expedited shipments, every second counts – and we do all we can to help with our automated check-in procedure, smart border controls and priority boarding options.
Additionally, our commitment to sustainability means that shipping expedited consignments with LeShuttle Freight generates up to 14 times less CO₂ than using ferry freight, enabling carriers to meet urgent delivery requirements without compromising environmental responsibility.
Get across the Channel FIRST
Carriers with expedited shipments can get a head start on their deadline by signing up to a FIRST account. This gives your vehicles access to priority boarding on the next available shuttle when they arrive at the LeShuttle Freight terminal.
Applying for a FIRST account is easy – simply contact your Account Manager on our Freight Commercial teams. The minimum period for FIRST subscriptions is one month with an automatic renewal. When your vehicle arrives at check-in, your driver’s FIRST status will be detected and they will be directed to priority boarding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between standard and expedited freight services?
Standard freight services operate on regular schedules, while expedited freight prioritises speed and urgency with guaranteed delivery deadlines, often next day and sometimes even same day services.
While LeShuttle Freight's service is already faster than ferry alternatives, carriers sending expedited shipments can take advantage of our FIRST freight priority service, offering priority boarding on the next available shuttle.
What types of vehicles can you accommodate for expedited shipping?
LeShuttle Freight can accommodate up to 44 tonne articulated trucks. We regularly transport specialized vehicles including temperature-controlled units and vehicles carrying hazardous goods (with appropriate documentation). For unusual loads or specialized transport requirements, please contact our Freight Commercial teams. Vans are accommodated on the LeShuttle passenger shuttles, using the VanPro and VanPro Flexi service.
What if my expedited shipping cargo includes dangerous goods?
If your cargo is a limited quantity of dangerous or hazardous goods, then carriers will not need to make a pre-travel declaration. The maximum weights of limited quantities will vary for different types of goods, but you can find out the weight limits in official publications.
For all other dangerous goods shipments, you will need to make a dangerous goods declaration.
