Freight forwarding Košice – transport to and from Czechia

Steel city in the east

Slovakia's second-largest city has been shaped for decades by the large integrated steelworks on its south-western edge. The plant produces hot- and cold-rolled sheet, galvanised and coated sheet, and tinplate used by packaging manufacturers. Around the steel industry the region has added engineering, automotive suppliers in the industrial parks south of the city, electrical engineering and a growing IT sector. The forests of eastern Slovakia supply timber, sawn wood and furniture, and the Slovak part of the Tokaj wine region lies about 50 km to the south-east.

Main goods we bring from Košice into the Czech Republic:

• steel coils, sheet and tinplate for engineering, packaging and construction,
• metal products and machine parts,
• timber, sawn wood and furniture,
• automotive and electrical components,
• food products and Tokaj wine.

Eastbound loads include machinery and spare parts, building materials, packaging, food and consumer goods for retailers across eastern Slovakia.

Distance and route options

Košice is about 450–500 km from Brno and 650–700 km from Prague. The usual route from Moravia crosses into Slovakia at Starý Hrozenkov or Střelná and continues via Trenčín, Žilina, Poprad and Prešov. An alternative runs from Brno on the D2 via Lanžhot/Kúty and then along the Slovak D1 past Trnava – useful when there are pick-ups or drops in western Slovakia. A full truck loaded in Košice in the morning typically reaches Brno the same evening and Prague the next working day; groupage takes two to three working days.

The northern route climbs through hilly terrain below the Tatra mountains, where snow can slow traffic in winter, and the Slovak D1 is not yet complete along its full length, so parts of the journey use first-class roads. Slovakia charges an electronic truck toll and bans heavy trucks for most of Sundays and public holidays. More in our guide to transport to Slovakia.

Handling steel coils

A steel coil can weigh over 20 tonnes and cannot be carried safely on an ordinary curtain-sider. We book carriers with coil-well trailers and proper lashing equipment, usually one or two coils per truck depending on weight. Flat sheet on pallets can go on a standard trailer with anti-slip mats and enough straps. Steelworks loading bays follow strict safety rules: drivers need personal protective equipment and must arrive in their allocated slot.

Gateway to Ukraine, Hungary and Poland

Košice is the last major city before the Vyšné Nemecké/Uzhhorod crossing, the main road link from Slovakia to Ukraine. As Ukraine is outside the EU, shipments need an export declaration, a transit document and a properly registered consignee in addition to the CMR and invoice. The broad-gauge railway from Ukraine ends near Košice, where cargo is transhipped. Hungary is reached via Milhosť/Tornyosnémeti towards Miskolc, Poland via Prešov and Vyšný Komárnik/Barwinek.

Planning your shipment

Full volumes of steel, timber or furniture travel best as a full truckload without transhipment, while smaller consignments of metal parts or wine go by groupage. An urgent part can come by express van in about a day. Confirm with the shipper the address, opening hours, weight and dimensions – and for coils the inner and outer diameter. Get an indicative price in the calculator.

On this long run the loading day matters most: a truck leaving Košice on Friday afternoon runs into the Sunday bans in Slovakia and Czechia and arrives on Monday. If you need goods early in the week, plan loading for Thursday at the latest.