September's +8% growth is specific to LeShuttle Freight truck crossings, not all UK–EU trade or capacity. Check your lane-level timings, valid GMR and the full crossing tariff before using this signal in an autumn freight plan.
September traffic strengthened, but 2026 remains mixed
In its 8 October trading update, Getlink reported that LeShuttle Freight carried 102,014 trucks between Folkestone and Calais in September 2026. That compares with 94,503 trucks in September 2025, a year-on-year increase rounded to 8%.
The cumulative figures are more restrained: 883,789 trucks in January–September 2026 versus 872,740 in the same period of 2025, an increase rounded to just 1%. August 2026 was also ahead of August 2025, with 90,033 trucks and 5% year-on-year growth. A stronger September should therefore not be mistaken for an equally strong trend throughout the year.
What the numbers cover — and what they do not
Getlink's count tracks trucks transported on LeShuttle Freight through the Channel Tunnel. It is a measure of traffic on one cross-Channel service, not all Dover–Calais ferry movements, all short-sea freight, UK exports by value, warehouse demand or available road-haulage capacity.
It also does not establish the direction of the cargo mix, the amount of freight carried inside each truck or the reason for the change. Shippers should avoid translating the 8% headline directly into an 8% change in transport prices, customs processing times or trucking availability.
Crossing costs still require a line-by-line check
LeShuttle Freight publishes an Electricity Value Adjustment (EVA) as a separate component of its freight crossing rates. For 1 September to 31 October 2026, its published EVA is £19 for freight vehicles longer than 7.5 metres and £10 for shorter freight vehicles, with euro equivalents of €21 and €11 respectively.
Those are published electricity adjustments, not the full crossing fares. They can also be revised as energy costs change. When comparing Channel Tunnel and ferry routings, use the total current quotation: base crossing rate, applicable supplements, vehicle configuration, booking conditions and any extra mileage or waiting time.
Border readiness is just as important as a booked crossing
HMRC's Goods Vehicle Movement Service guidance lists Eurotunnel among the locations using GVMS. For eligible commercial movements, a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) must bring together the relevant declaration references before the truck reaches check-in.
HMRC states that a carrier must refuse check-in when a valid GMR is missing or when vehicle, trailer or container details do not match the reference. Freight teams should assign a named owner to validate the GMR, declaration references and vehicle details before dispatch rather than discovering a mismatch at the terminal.
Practical planning for autumn UK–EU freight
Use the September numbers as a prompt to review your own short-straits schedule. Confirm cargo-ready time, collection and delivery windows, chosen crossing, contingency for a missed slot, customs document responsibility and the contact who can approve a route change.
For recurring movements, compare actual lead times and door-to-door costs from the past four to eight weeks. If the route is time-critical, verify the operator's current service notice and latest pricing before dispatch. Monthly traffic totals are useful market intelligence, but day-of-operation decisions depend on real bookings and live conditions.