Express courier. Direct.
Also overnight.
x25pronto Switzerland takes goods direct to the destination. Small loads go by car. Larger loads go by van or Van XL. Direct, express and overnight trips run Monday to Sunday when a slot is free. Free times are shown in the booking calendar. This keeps the plan clear.
Standard cost rates for deliveries: calculation and use in SMEs
A practical guide for Swiss SMEs: calculate kilometre rates, minute rates and flat delivery fees and apply them consistently in offers and billing.
Quick answer
SMEs set standard delivery cost rates by tracking vehicle costs, driving time, labour and overhead. From these figures they derive a kilometre rate, minute rate or flat fee and use them consistently in offers — useful for local deliveries in Swiss cities like Zürich, Basel or Lausanne.
Why standard rates help your business
Standard rates streamline quoting and day-to-day decisions. They reduce back-and-forth with clients and speed up invoicing. For SMEs handling regular runs or ad-hoc pickups in locations such as Zürich, Bern or Geneva, fixed rates save time and increase pricing clarity.
Components to include in your calculation
Record direct costs: vehicle depreciation or lease, fuel, tyres and maintenance. Add driver wages including social charges. Include variable time costs (waiting, loading/unloading) and overheads (admin, insurance, IT). Decide on a margin or contingency buffer.
How to calculate a kilometre rate
1) Calculate annual vehicle costs (lease/depreciation + operating costs). 2) Estimate annual kilometres from delivery activity. 3) Divide vehicle costs by kilometres to get a base CHF/km. 4) Add proportional labour and overhead per km. 5) Round to a practical value. Example: vehicle costs 10'000 CHF/year over 20'000 km → 0.50 CHF/km plus 0.40 CHF/km labour = 0.90 CHF/km.
Using minute rates and flat fees
Minute rates suit situations with frequent waiting or urban parking. Calculate an hourly labour cost with charges, then divide by 60. Flat fees work for standard short deliveries (for example up to 10 km). Define limits and exceptions for each flat fee (distance, time, stairs or bulky items).
Presenting rates in offers and terms
State kilometre, minute or flat fees clearly in offers. Define triggering conditions (e.g. over 10 km or 30 minutes). Note extra charges (parking, tolls, special handling). Link to your terms and delivery conditions so clients know when extras apply.
Review and adjust regularly
Check rates at least twice a year or whenever major cost factors change (fuel, wages). Track simple KPIs: average km per job, waiting time, vehicle utilisation. Update kilometre rates or flat fees when deviations exceed thresholds you set.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: kilometre rate or flat fee?
It depends. Kilometre rates are fair for variable distances. Flat fees simplify billing for many similar short runs. Use both: a flat fee for standard deliveries and kilometre rates for exceptions.
How do I handle parking and toll charges?
Charge parking and tolls separately or build an allowance into the kilometre rate. In dense city areas, a parking surcharge is often clearer for clients.
Should I have separate night or express rates?
Yes. Night and express deliveries usually carry higher labour and coordination costs. Define clear surcharges or specific flat fees for these services.
How do I communicate rate changes to customers?
Notify clients in writing via updated offers or contract addenda. Reference the current rates in offers and point to your terms that outline adjustment rules.