A logistics Business manages the supplies and deliveries of goods from its customers. The first step to start a logistics business : target an activity sector to adapt your work tool (truck, van) to the size and packaging of the goods transported. You must obtain the transport capacity for the road (truck over 3.5 tonnes) or express transport (courier, transport of small packages) and the authorization to practice with the Regional Prefect who registers you in the national register of road transport companies. Your logistics freight transport activity (more than 3.5 tonnes or racing company) must be registered with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Start a logistics business : definition and prerequisite
The logistics company is responsible for organizing and managing the physical flows of its customers (usually professionals). The logistics company delivers the finished products and supplies raw materials. Whether upstream or downstream of its customer’s production process, a logistics company corresponds to a freight transport/product delivery company.
The challenge of a logistics business is to make deliveries on conditions :
- deadline
- cost
- personal security
- packaging of products
For which business sector to start a logistics business
Creating a freight transport company requires determining which sector of activity you will develop your clientele and what type of goods/products you will deliver. You will have to choose a work tool (truck, delivery van) suitable for your activity.
Also, think of the management/organization software that will have to adapt to your logistics company and the sector in which you operate.
The regulations in force to start a logistics business
To create a road freight transport company (heavy goods vehicles + 3.5 tonnes)
· obtain professional capacity in road transport or justify the paid experience of at least ten years in this profession
· obtain a certificate from the Regional Prefect
obtain an authorization from the Regional Perfect to practice in the region (this authorization entails your registration in the national electronic register of road transport companies and obtaining the Community license)
To become a courier or create a small parcel transport company (- 3.5 tonnes)
obtain professional capacity in transport with light vehicle or demonstrate paid experience of at least two years in this profession
· obtain a certificate from the Regional Prefect
obtain an authorization from the Prefect of the region to practice in the region. (this authorization entails your registration in the national electronic register of road transport companies and obtaining the license to transport)
Transport in less than 3.5 tonnes is also called express transport or racing company.
The regulation of the targeted sector of activity
Do not forget to inquire about the regulations relating to the sector of activity for which you will deploy logistics. You will need to acquire a transport vehicle suitable for these regulations. To find out more, you can turn to the federation of professionals in the sector of activity that you are targeting.
Formalities for setting up a logistics company
Legal status
Creating a transport company requires choosing an appropriate legal status. If you start alone and want to work on your account, you can opt for a sole proprietorship or a single partner company (EURL, SASU). And If you are several founders, you will have to create a company (SARL, SAS). If you plan to hire a team of carriers to work alongside you, it will be a good idea to start a company to limit financial risk.
Pay attention to the self-entrepreneur plan in which you cannot deduct your professional costs (interest of a loan to acquire your vehicle, petrol, toll, business management costs, etc.).
Registration formalities
To start freight or small parcel transport company, you must register your at the Business Formality Center (CFE) of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The administrative cost varies according to the legal status and is approximately 250 euros for a company.
If a company is created (EURL / SARL, SASU / SAS), think about the cost :
· drafting of the constituent statutes
· publication of a notice of incorporation in a Journal of Legal Announcements (JAL) – around 250 euros
Creating a delivery business: the basics of start a logistics business
Before starting your business, whatever its activity, think about building your project in a business plan:
- Knowing your market
- Setting your prices and developing a communication strategy
- Anticipating your financial needs and your economic model
- Choosing the legal status and the optimal tax system
Finally, you will have to take out professional civil insurance and call on an accountant to organize the accounting monitoring of your company.
