Want to offer transport services in Czechia and don't know where to start? The fastest route is a classified ad on a marketplace: describe what you haul, for how much, and from where, add photos and references, and get your first inquiries within two days. Reduce risk with a written agreement, customer verification, and a clear price before loading.
A transport service in a classified ad isn't the same as a large freight forwarding company. You're selling a specific task: moving a wardrobe from Vinohrady to Modřany, transporting a washing machine from Pilsen to České Budějovice, delivering furniture from IKEA. The customer isn't looking for a carrier; they're looking for someone who can handle it this afternoon for a reasonable price. That's why it pays to talk about route, time, and weight, not "comprehensive logistics solutions."
In this guide, you'll find how to describe the service, how to set the price, how to filter out unreliable inquiries, and how to protect yourself with a simple contract. We base this on what happens on classified platforms in Czechia and what sole traders with a van or small truck deal with.
- Describe the service specifically: route, capacity, number of helpers, time window.
- State the price as a range or per hour, not as "negotiable."
- Confirm the order in writing before loading, even via SMS or email.
- References and ratings from your seller profile matter more than a photo of your vehicle.
How to offer transport services in an ad so people notice you
The best ad answers three questions in the first five seconds: what you'll transport, from where, and for how much. The rest is detail. Keep the headline short and factual, like "Moving and transport Prague, 3.5 t van." Avoid words like "professional" or "quality"-they say nothing.
In the description, include capacity, loading area dimensions, and the number of people who will help with carrying. State whether you can dismantle furniture, whether you have straps and blankets, and whether you work weekends. These details matter more for moving and transport than price.
Portfolio and references instead of promises
Photos from previous jobs work better than a list of skills. Photograph a loaded van, a wrapped wardrobe, a staircase without a lift. You don't need ten photos; three clean ones are enough. Write references briefly and specifically: "Washing machine transport, Prague 4, 40 minutes, customer satisfied." Don't add ratings yourself-the platform and customers will notice. If you have a profile with history, keep it public, because post an ad shows how to set up visibility and contact details.
What doesn't belong in an ad
Don't promise a deadline you can't meet. Don't state a price you'll increase on site with a "stair surcharge." The customer perceives that as fraud and will write it in a review. Likewise, don't copy other people's texts-moderation will remove them and your ad will disappear.
How to offer transport services fast: reply within an hour and a clear price
Speed decides. Whoever replies within an hour often wins the job before the competition even opens the message. Set up notifications on your phone and reply briefly: confirm the route, price, and available date.
Base your price on two numbers: hourly rate and minimum pickup. The typical rate for a van up to 3.5 tonnes in Czechia is in the hundreds of crowns per hour plus kilometres outside the city. Verify the exact amount with competitors in your city, because it varies from region to region.
| Model | When it's suitable | Advantages | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private ad | Individual jobs, small volume | Zero advertising costs, quick start | Less trust, no invoice |
| Business offer | Regular transport, invoicing | Larger jobs, VAT deduction possible | More administration, obligations |
| Subcontracting | Peak demand, large moves | Handle more work at once | You're responsible for another driver |
How to write an estimate the customer understands
Keep the estimate to five lines: route, date, what's being transported, number of hours, total price. Add what the price doesn't include, such as packing materials or a parking fee in central Prague. That way you avoid an argument on site. When a customer pushes for a discount before even seeing the offer, that's a signal. A decent customer asks about details, not haggling over every crown upfront.
Before you load the first box, send the customer an order confirmation by email or SMS. Three sentences are enough: what, when, and for how much. This message will serve you better in a dispute than a verbal agreement.
How to filter out unreliable inquiries
Most problems arise before loading. A customer who won't give an address, changes the date three times a day, or refuses to confirm the order in writing usually won't bring a smooth job. Ask specific questions: floor, lift, distance from the vehicle to the door, weight of the heaviest item.
Handle payment upfront or on delivery, never later "on invoice" if you don't know the customer. For new customers, a fuel deposit is worthwhile, especially if you're driving across half the country. When something goes wrong, stick to the platform's written rules. On EX & GO you'll find the procedure for reporting a problem and how disputes between parties are resolved, because the marketplace doesn't hold payments and you conclude the deal directly with the customer. The advertising terms are at /cs/rules.
Protection with a simple contract
You don't need a lawyer for every transport job. A short transport agreement is enough, containing the name and contact of both parties, date, route, scope of work, price, and payment method. Sign it or confirm by email.
For more valuable cargo, check how liability for damage works. General information on consumer rights can be found on the Czech Trade Inspection Authority website Czech Trade Inspection Authority. If you're a business, also review the conditions for road transport summarised by the Ministry of Transport Ministry of Transport.
How to build a profile and collect reviews
For carriers, reviews are what reviews are for a restaurant. One satisfied customer who writes two sentences brings more inquiries than ten ads. So after completing a job, politely ask the customer for a short review, not praise. Respond to criticism too. If a customer writes that you arrived an hour late, admit it and write what you'll do differently next time. A public response without excuses looks better than a perfect profile with no mistakes.
Keep your profile up to date: change photos, add new routes, update the price. An outdated ad with last year's price will put off even someone who would otherwise call. For details on your account and settings, see the help at /cs/support.
Where to track prices and competition
Before you publish your offer, look at what prices other carriers in your city and district are listing. Filtering by city and service category will show you the real range. Also check what the best-rated profiles look like and notice what they have in their description. To expand your offer, it's worth checking moving and transport, where you'll find service categories and filtering options by distance.
Checklist before publishing your ad
Go through these points before you submit your ad for moderation. It will save you repeated edits and unnecessary waiting.
- The headline includes the city and type of service, maximum six words.
- The description states capacity, dimensions, number of helpers, and time window.
- The price is specific, ideally as a range or per hour.
- Photos are your own, sharp, and without foreign logos.
- Contact is verified and the phone works.
- The text contains no promises you can't keep.
- You have a short agreement ready for the first job.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I charge for a transport service in Czechia?
Rates depend on the region, vehicle type, and scope of work. For a van up to 3.5 tonnes, the price usually consists of an hourly rate plus a surcharge for kilometres outside the city. The best approach is to check offers from other carriers in your city and set your price accordingly. Include fuel, wear and tear, insurance, and travel time both ways in your calculation.
Do I need a trade licence for cargo transport?
Rules differ depending on whether you transport occasionally for acquaintances or regularly for payment. Regular paid activity is usually a licensed trade, and road freight transport has additional conditions. Verify the current requirements at the trade licensing office or on the Ministry of Transport website before you start advertising.
How do I protect myself if a customer doesn't pay?
Work with a deposit or payment on delivery. Before loading, send a written order confirmation with the price and scope of work. If the customer doesn't pay, you have a record of the agreement and can resolve the situation through the platform or legally. For new customers, never leave with the cargo without confirmed payment.
How do I get my first review when I'm just starting?
Start with smaller jobs nearby where you can arrange things quickly in person. After completion, politely ask the customer for a short review. Fill out your profile completely, including a photo and verified phone number, because an empty profile looks untrustworthy and people prefer someone with a history.
What should a simple transport contract include?
Names and contact details of both parties, date and place, route, scope of work including loading and unloading, total price, and payment method. Add a clause about liability for damage to the cargo. One page is enough, signed by both or confirmed by email. Keep a copy for at least a year.
Can I offer transport outside my region?
Yes, but calculate the return trip because empty kilometres aren't paid for. For long-distance routes, look for return loads or arrange to share with another carrier. In your ad, list the routes you serve regularly so customers know when they can expect a lower price.
Conclusion
Offering transport services through an ad is a craft built on three things: a specific description, a clear price, and written confirmation. Whoever masters these three points will win jobs faster and with less risk than someone who relies on a phone agreement. Start with one honest ad, reply within an hour, and after each job ask yourself what you'll do differently next time. Reviews will come on their own when the work done matches what you promised. Until then, keep an eye on local prices and update your profile.