If your main business is about buying/selling chocolate are you sure that transporting it yourself is going to be cost effective?
Don`t assume that doing it yourself is cheaper. A haulier will be earning on export as well as import loads, they will be pulling goods both ways so their costs will be split two ways. They will have expertise in all the docs necessary.
A work permit is probably the only thing you won`t need!
Running commercially over 2.5T in EU needs an O-Licence now. Rented, or own vehicle, you will need one.
Currently a tachograph isn`t needed, but there is speculation that might be introduced in the next few years.
Are you planning on doing one collection in Europe or many little ones? The admin for one carton is pretty much the same as for one truck load.
Each consignment will need export documentation, and each consignment will need to be cleared into the UK. The EU exporter will need to prepare documents for you. They will want to cover that cost if it is a small amount they are selling to you. Or find an agent in each of the countries you are buying in, to negotiate will the seller and do that paperwork for you.
Many small scale importers and exporters have given up or opened warehouses in the EU in the past few years.
This autumn there are due to be more UK import health checks for foodstuffs.
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gov.uk/being-a-goods-vehicle-operator
gov.uk/import-goods-into-uk
There are still some hauliers that will do small amounts in temp controlled vehicles, but some wont touch small consignments. Ten consignments on the vehicle, each with 4 different documents? One error and the whole lot is parked up. It aint easy.
Ed to add
Chocolate specific click through about what the vets might/might not need
food.gov.uk/business-guidan … fectionery