One hundred and forty-four cross-bred market pigs weighing approximately 110 kg were randomly divided into four groups in a 2 (handling stress; minimal vs stimulated) ${ imes}$ 2 (transport vehicle type; enclosed box vs conventional open) factorial arrangement of treatments. The stimulated handling stress group received overally rough handling including electric prod stimulation during loading, transport and lairage at least once at each step. All the animals received 3-h lairage prior to slaughter. Blood and longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) samples were taken at slaughter and after overnight chilling of the carcass, respectively. Plasma concentrations of stress indicators glucose, cortisol, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase were greater in the stimulated vs minimal handling stress group. There were no interactions between the handling stress and transport vehicle type in their effects on these blood variables. The incidence of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) carcass and drip loss of LM, 24-h postmortem LM pH and color including the lightness and redness were not affected by the handling stress and transport vehicle type. In conclusion, results suggest that rough handling inflicts a stimulated stress on the animal, which is manifested by increased blood concentrations of stress indicators, and therefore should be avoided for animal welfare.