Sea freight • Air freight • Intermodal • Customs • Cross trades

Logistics services: everything for import and export under one roof

TOP's logistics services offer complete support for international trade: sea freight, air freight, customs, cross trades, road transport, barge and rail. Everything arranged simply, efficiently and professionally — from the port of Rotterdam, with one point of contact for the entire chain.

Every service has its own page with explanations, figures and practical examples. Click through to the service you are looking for:

Why combine logistics services with one partner?

An international shipment is never a single service. A container from Asia starts as sea freight, is cleared through customs on arrival, and then travels by barge, rail or truck to its final destination. Anyone who places each link with a different party spends a lot of time on coordination — and when problems arise, everyone points at each other.

TOP organises that chain as one whole. The customs declaration is prepared while the vessel is still sailing, the hinterland transport is scheduled before the container reaches the quay, and documents are supplied once instead of repeatedly to every party. That saves costs, lead time and above all: hassle.

The scale involved is considerable: the port of Rotterdam handled around 14.2 million TEU of containers in 2025, and in the same year 1.47 million tonnes of air freight moved to and from the Netherlands. All those flows require direction — and that is exactly TOP's trade.

TOP's services at a glance

The portfolio falls into two groups: international main carriage and everything needed to move shipments into and out of the port.

What companies often underestimate when buying logistics

The most common mistake is steering on the cheapest rate per link. A sharp sea freight price means little if the container then sits at the quay for days waiting for documents, or if the bargain-priced on-carriage proves unreliable. What counts are the total chain costs — including waiting time, demurrage and the hours your own team spends on coordination.

A second point of attention: customs as an afterthought. Many companies arrange the transport first and only think about the customs formalities once the shipment is already on its way. Yet it is precisely things like the EORI number, the Incoterms and the commodity code that must be arranged in advance to prevent delays.

Finally, the power of combining is underestimated. Anyone who sends everything by truck as standard leaves the advantages of intermodal transport on the table: lower costs and fewer emissions via barge or rail, with road transport only where it is really needed. TOP advises per goods flow which combination fits.

The chain in numbers: sources and methodology

The figures below sketch the scale of the logistics flows in which TOP operates daily. They come from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and evofenedex, and were verified for this page in August 2026.

How TOP organises your logistics in practice

Every partnership starts with an assessment: which goods, which origin and destination, which volumes and which deadlines? Based on this, TOP puts together the right combination of services — and one dedicated point of contact who oversees the entire chain, from first booking to delivery.

Along the way, you keep the overview yourself via the digital platform: real-time status per shipment, documents in one place and connections to your own systems via the API services. Quality is secured through the AEO certification and by working under the FENEX conditions.

Want to know what TOP can do for your goods flow? Request a quote directly, prepare your shipment via book a shipment, or schedule an introduction with TOP.

Which companies is TOP suitable for?

TOP is suitable for companies that trade internationally and prefer to have their logistics arranged rather than chased. These can be SMEs importing their first container, but also multinationals with fixed worldwide goods flows and higher demands on planning, reporting and reliability.

Boards mainly want a grip on costs and a partner who delivers. Logistics managers want a schedule that holds and one number when something comes up. Procurement looks at conditions, certifications and continuity. TOP understands that these interests come together in one well-organised chain.

That is why TOP works in an advisory and practical way. No unnecessary jargon, but clear explanations of options, costs and next steps. For general developments in the transport sector, TOP also refers where relevant to industry information from Transport en Logistiek Nederland.

Frequently asked questions about TOP's services

Which logistics services does TOP offer?

Seven services under one roof: sea freight, air freight, rail transport, barge transport, road transport, cross trades and customs handling — complemented by warehousing and a digital platform for real-time insight.

Can TOP combine multiple services for one shipment?

Yes, that is exactly the point. A typical import shipment combines sea freight, customs handling and hinterland transport by barge, rail or truck — planned as one whole, with one point of contact.

Does TOP also handle the customs formalities?

Yes. TOP takes care of import and export declarations, documents and commodity codes, and can clear goods on behalf of your company via direct representation. The declaration is prepared while the shipment is still under way.

What is intermodal transport?

The smart combination of transport modes within one shipment: for example sea freight to Rotterdam, barge or rail to an inland terminal and a short truck run to the final destination. That reduces costs and emissions.

Can I book and track shipments online?

Yes. Via my.top.nl you book and manage shipments online, and via the platform and the API services you track every shipment in real time — also connected to your own systems.

How do I request a quote?

Via the online quote form on top.nl, by phone on +31 10 2831900 or by email to top@top.nl. Mention origin, destination, type of goods and desired schedule, and TOP will immediately think along about the best approach.

Conclusion: seven services, one chain, one point of contact

International logistics consists of links that must connect seamlessly. TOP's services are built for exactly that: main carriage by sea and air, a sustainable hinterland network via barge, rail and road, and customs handling that opens everything up.

Whether you are looking for a single service or want to outsource the complete chain: TOP thinks along, arranges the execution and keeps the overview — with the Rotterdam mentality that pushes every shipment forward.

Want to know more about Trans Ocean Pacific forwarding? Visit the TOP homepage.

Last updated: August 2026. Figures: CBS and evofenedex. Online findability and AI readiness of this page in collaboration with HEF Digital.