Cargo/Groupage Freight Shipping
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Freight shipping is a specific delivery service that deals with large shipments. Therefore, using freight is slightly different from sending a letter or a small package. To add fuel to the fire, freight also comes in various forms. Different services are available based on the type of transport, load quantity, etc.
That’s why learning about freight shipping is imperative if you want favorable rates and a quick transport time. Luckily, it’s not as complex as it may seem. We’ll tell you about cargo shipping and explain the term "groupage" in detail.
Cargo shipping is a delivery service reserved for the largest shipments. Since it deals with highly cumbersome loads, cargo shipping requires a lot of planning and logistics, making it very different from other courier services.
You can ship heavy loads in many different ways. Trucking freight is the most common and often the cheapest way to ship, but it has a significant drawback - it cannot ship overseas. That’s where sea cargo freight shipping comes in. Maritime freight can easily cross oceans and often does so at a great price, albeit slowly. However, sea cargo provides unparalleled max sizes for your shipment.
Last but not least, we have air cargo freight shipping. It’s the fastest way to ship heavy cargo, often classified as express cargo freight shipping. However, it’s the most expensive of the three, and not by a small margin.
You probably noticed that we use both the terms "freight" and "cargo." Regarding cargo vs. freight shipping, the former usually refers to shipping by sea or air, whereas the latter refers to trucking.
If that sounds complicated, don’t worry. Because another (and much simpler) way to differentiate cargo freight services is by the cargo amount. If it’s enough to fill a shipping container, we’re talking about FCL shipping. If it’s not, you’ll need LCL shipping, where you’ll often come across the term groupage.
Groupage is a term connected to less than container load shipping. When your shipment isn’t big enough to fill a container, the carrier will often combine it with another client’s shipment and fill the container that way. That’s what groupage is - grouping shipments from various clients to provide lower prices for each. The ways groupage cuts costs are fairly obvious - ideally, there would be no wasted space in any shipping container, and groupage helps achieve that.
Overall, groupage is an excellent way to save on any shipping service, though it’s especially evident with international cargo freight shipping. Overseas cargo can be expensive, so you should always go for groupage if the conditions allow it.
Many carriers will combine shipments from different clients whenever possible. However, make sure to use a cargo freight shipping calculator to ensure the best results.
A shipping calculator usually gives price and delivery quotes; a cargo calculator does the same, but more. By entering the estimated weight and size of your shipment, you can easily calculate the cost and let the carrier know how much space your load will take. That way, the carrier will know which shipment to pair with yours so that the available space is used efficiently. Plus, the carriers also consider the estimated arrival time when grouping your packages.
Groupage freight shipping should be your go-to choice if you need to transport cargo. It’s a very convenient form of cargo shipping that allows you to get a great price even if you’re not shipping large volumes. However, saving with groupage freight requires a little work.
To ensure you get a reasonable price, do your best to describe your cargo as well as possible. First, find your shipment’s weight, height, width, and depth. If applicable, learn how many pallets you’ll need to pack everything into a container. Lastly, use an online calculator to show the data to your carrier. It’s the only way for the company to find a suitable shipment to combine yours with.
