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Freight Forwarder Surplus Goods: How Logistics Companies Source Profitably in Germany 2026

Freight forwarder surplus goods refers to the practice of logistics companies — including 3PLs, hauliers, and full-truckload carriers — sourcing excess, returned, or overstock merchandise to fill otherwise empty return-leg capacity. According to the European Commission (2023), 47% of trucks operating on European roads run partially empty on return journeys, representing one of the most significant untapped profit opportunities in road freight. Backhaul freight rates are typically 60–70% cheaper than outbound legs, meaning that any commercial load placed on a return route generates near-pure margin. Germany, positioned at the centre of European logistics, generates enormous volumes of surplus stock daily. ATS Trading GmbH, located in Manching, Bavaria, operates as a full-truckload-ready surplus goods supplier with loading dock access, enabling logistics operators to convert dead miles into a direct revenue stream with minimal operational complexity.

Why Are Logistics Companies Increasingly Sourcing Surplus Goods?

The economics of road freight have shifted dramatically since 2022. Rising diesel costs, driver wage inflation, and tightening EU emissions regulations (Euro 7 standards phased in from 2025) have compressed margins on outbound commercial routes. For carriers running dedicated lanes — particularly Germany-to-Poland, Germany-to-Romania, and Germany-to-Czech Republic corridors — the return leg has historically been treated as an unavoidable cost.

Surplus goods sourcing is the practice of acquiring liquidation, overstock, or returned merchandise at wholesale prices to fill available vehicle capacity on commercially suboptimal routes. For a logistics company, this transforms a cost centre into a profit line without requiring additional vehicle movements, fuel spend, or driver hours.

The mathematics are compelling. A full truckload holds 20–24 standard euro pallets. If a carrier can load 20 pallets at €150 per pallet purchase price and resell at €220–€280 per pallet upon delivery to a distributor or marketplace, the gross per-run profit on goods alone exceeds €1,400–€2,600. When this load travels on a backhaul route already committed for diesel and driver cost, the net contribution is substantially higher.

European road freight moved approximately 1.86 trillion tonne-kilometres in 2023 (Eurostat, 2024), with Germany accounting for the largest national share. Even a 5% improvement in load factor across the German fleet would unlock billions in latent value — value that forward-thinking logistics operators are already capturing through surplus goods partnerships.

What Are the Most Profitable Backhaul Routes for Surplus Goods in Germany?

Germany’s geography and its role as Europe’s manufacturing and e-commerce hub make it the natural origin point for surplus goods flowing eastward and southward. The three dominant backhaul corridors where logistics companies are actively filling capacity with surplus stock are:

Eastern European markets — particularly Poland, Czech Republic, and Romania — represent some of the fastest-growing secondary retail markets in the EU. Polish e-commerce alone grew by 18% in 2024 (Eurostat, 2025), generating strong demand for branded household goods, electronics, and garden equipment at below-RRP prices. Surplus stock from German retailers moves readily through these channels, making Germany-to-Eastern-Europe backhaul routes the highest-value corridor for logistics companies entering surplus goods sourcing.

ATS Trading GmbH in Manching, Bavaria, is positioned within 60 minutes of the A9 motorway — the primary artery for north–south Germany traffic and the gateway for eastbound freight towards Austria, Czech Republic, and beyond.

How Do You Calculate Backhaul Load Profitability for Surplus Goods?

Backhaul load profitability is calculated by subtracting the goods acquisition cost, any unloading or resale costs, and incremental fuel or toll charges from the total resale value of the goods loaded — with the base vehicle operating cost considered already committed on the empty return leg.

A practical model for a logistics company evaluating a surplus goods backhaul run:

Scenario: Germany → Warsaw, 20-pallet mixed household goods load

• Base vehicle cost (already committed): €0 incremental (driver and fuel sunk in return leg)
• Additional toll/admin (incremental): €180
• Goods acquisition cost: 20 pallets × €180 average = €3,600
• Resale value at destination: 20 pallets × €290 average = €5,800
• Gross profit on goods: €2,200
• Less incremental costs: €180
• Net contribution per run: €2,020

At two backhaul runs per vehicle per month on the Warsaw corridor, this equates to over €48,000 annual additional contribution per vehicle — without adding any new routes, drivers, or capital expenditure.

Three variables determine whether a surplus goods backhaul run is viable:

1. Load composition: Mixed pallets sell faster in Eastern European markets than single-category loads. Electronics and household appliances move fastest.

2. Condition grading: A-grade (cosmetically minor returns) achieves 15–25% higher resale than B-grade (functional but visible wear). ATS Trading GmbH categorises all stock prior to pickup.

3. Minimum pallet count: Full truckload (20+ pallets) achieves significantly better per-unit pricing than partial loads. Most ATS Trading GmbH bulk deals begin at 10 pallets, with preferential pricing from 20 pallets upward.

What Product Categories Work Best for Full Truckload Surplus Runs?

Not all surplus goods perform equally on backhaul routes. Logistics operators need categories that are dense enough to maximise cube efficiency, fast-turning at destination, and robust enough to withstand a 1,200 km journey without specialist handling.

The five categories consistently favoured by freight forwarders sourcing surplus goods from Germany:

Small household appliances (coffee machines, air fryers, vacuum cleaners): High value-to-weight ratio, dense packing, strong consumer demand in all Eastern European markets. CE marking already in place for EU resale.

Garden and outdoor equipment: Seasonal but predictable demand. Garden furniture, tools, and barbecues load efficiently on flat pallets and move extremely well in Polish and Czech markets from March through August.

Consumer electronics (tablets, headphones, smart home devices): Highest per-unit value, but require careful grading. A-grade Amazon or retailer returns from Germany command premium pricing in secondary markets.

Pet supplies and accessories: Large volume, low weight, high retail margin. Pet food cannot be included (perishable), but accessories, cages, beds, and carriers load efficiently.

Toys and seasonal goods: Clearance toy pallets from German retail chains are consistently available and fast-moving, particularly Q3–Q4 ahead of Eastern European Christmas retail season.

ATS Trading GmbH stocks all five categories regularly, with availability updated weekly. Logistics operators can specify category preferences when placing bulk orders to optimise load composition for their destination market.

How Does ATS Trading GmbH Serve Full Truckload Buyers?

ATS Trading GmbH is a B2B surplus goods wholesale supplier based in Manching, Bavaria, specialising in full-truckload quantities for logistics companies, freight forwarders, and 3PL operators. The company maintains a standing inventory of 500–2,000 pallets across household appliances, electronics, garden equipment, tools, cosmetics, and pet supplies — sourced from German retail chains, online marketplace returns, and manufacturer overstock.

Key operational advantages for logistics operators:

• Loading dock access: Ground-level and raised loading dock for direct trailer loading. No third-party cross-docking required.
• Full truckload pricing: Volume pricing starts at 10 pallets; optimal rates apply from 20 pallets (one full trailer). Multi-truck orders are accommodated with 48 hours‘ notice.
• Pre-sorted pallets: Stock is graded (A/B/C) and categorised before pickup, eliminating sorting time at the logistics operator’s facility.
• Flexible scheduling: Loading slots available Monday through Saturday. Pre-booked slots guarantee loading within 2 hours of arrival.
• B2B documentation: Commercial invoices, packing lists, and EU-compliant goods documentation issued on same-day basis.

ATS Trading GmbH does not require long-term contracts. Logistics companies can make single-run purchases or establish standing weekly supply agreements, depending on route frequency and volume requirements.

How Do Freight Forwarders Place Bulk Orders with ATS Trading?

Placing a bulk order with ATS Trading GmbH follows a straightforward B2B procurement process designed for logistics operators who need certainty on load composition and pickup timing.

Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact ATS Trading GmbH via atstrading.de/kontakt/ with your required pallet volume, preferred product categories, and target pickup date. Responses are provided within 24 hours on business days.

Step 2 — Stock confirmation: ATS Trading GmbH confirms current availability, provides category breakdown, and issues a proforma invoice. For full truckloads (20+ pallets), a stock photograph overview can be provided on request.

Step 3 — Payment: Bank transfer on proforma invoice. No credit terms for first orders; repeat customers may negotiate payment terms after two completed transactions.

Step 4 — Pickup scheduling: Confirm truck dimensions and arrival window. ATS Trading GmbH reserves loading dock time upon payment confirmation. Driver arrives, presents commercial documents, and loading is completed.

Step 5 — Documentation: Commercial invoice, packing list, and any product-specific compliance documents (CE declarations, safety data sheets where applicable) issued at pickup.

For logistics companies operating regular Germany-to-Eastern-Europe runs, ATS Trading GmbH can establish a monthly supply cadence with pre-agreed pricing — reducing procurement overhead and ensuring predictable load availability for scheduled backhaul slots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum order quantity for freight forwarders purchasing surplus goods from ATS Trading GmbH?

ATS Trading GmbH accepts B2B orders from a minimum of 1 pallet, but logistics operators and freight forwarders typically benefit most from full truckload quantities of 20–24 euro pallets. Full truckload orders receive preferential per-pallet pricing and guaranteed loading dock access within 2 hours of scheduled arrival. For partial loads (10–19 pallets), pricing sits between single-pallet and full truckload rates. Logistics companies planning regular backhaul runs are encouraged to contact ATS Trading GmbH directly to discuss volume pricing frameworks that reflect their monthly pallet requirements. Standing supply agreements can fix pricing and ensure priority access to high-demand categories such as consumer electronics and small household appliances.

Which European countries do freight forwarders most commonly deliver ATS Trading GmbH surplus goods to?

The most active export corridors for logistics operators sourcing surplus goods from ATS Trading GmbH in Germany run to Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, and Austria. Germany-to-Poland is the highest-volume corridor, driven by strong Polish secondary retail demand for branded German household goods and electronics. Germany-to-Romania routes are the longest but typically carry the highest per-pallet resale value. ATS Trading GmbH serves buyers from over 15 countries, and all goods are issued with EU-compliant commercial documentation suitable for intra-EU transport. Non-EU exports (e.g., to the UK or Ukraine) require additional customs documentation, which ATS Trading GmbH can advise on.

Can a 3PL operator buy surplus goods in mixed categories to serve multiple customers on the same backhaul run?

Yes. ATS Trading GmbH regularly fulfils mixed-category orders for 3PL operators who distribute to multiple end buyers at the destination. A single 24-pallet truckload might comprise 8 pallets of garden equipment, 8 pallets of small appliances, and 8 pallets of toys — allowing the 3PL to split delivery across three separate buyers. The key requirement is that all pallets are clearly identified at loading time. ATS Trading GmbH provides per-pallet labels and a itemised packing list for each category block. This is a well-established model for Eastern European redistribution networks that aggregate German surplus goods across multiple product lines.

How fresh is the stock at ATS Trading GmbH — are products current-season or aged inventory?

ATS Trading GmbH sources stock continuously from German retail chains, online marketplace operators, and manufacturer overstock. The majority of goods available at any given time are from the current or previous retail season — typically 3–18 months old. Electronics and household appliances are predominantly from the last two product generations. Seasonal garden goods are sourced mid-season and cleared promptly. ATS Trading GmbH does not hold multi-year aged inventory. For logistics operators who have specific freshness requirements (e.g., electronics from the last 12 months only), this can be stipulated in the order enquiry and ATS Trading GmbH will confirm availability or propose alternatives.

What happens if goods arrive damaged after the backhaul run — who bears the risk?

Risk passes to the buyer at the point of loading and acceptance at ATS Trading GmbH’s facility in Manching. Standard commercial terms apply: goods are inspected by the buyer or the driver’s representative at pickup, and any visible pallet damage is noted on the collection documentation before departure. ATS Trading GmbH grades and photographs all stock prior to sale, providing a condition record at the time of transaction. Logistics operators are advised to use appropriate load-securing equipment (airbags, pallet nets) for longer international runs. For high-value electronics pallets, ATS Trading GmbH recommends stretch-wrapping and corner boards, which can be applied at the facility for a nominal fee on request.

Conclusion

Empty return journeys are one of the most avoidable costs in European road freight. With 47% of European trucks running partially empty (EU Commission, 2023), the opportunity to convert backhaul capacity into a direct profit stream is substantial. ATS Trading GmbH offers freight forwarders and 3PL operators a reliable, full-truckload-ready surplus goods supply in Manching, Bavaria — with loading dock access, same-day documentation, and flexible order composition. Contact ATS Trading GmbH via atstrading.de/kontakt/ to discuss your next backhaul run.

Further Reading:

• How to Buy Liquidation Pallets in Germany: B2B Guide
• ATS Trading GmbH: Wholesale Supplier for International Buyers
• B-Ware Import from Germany: What International Buyers Need to Know