Groupage & LTL Road Freight — How Partial Truckload Shipping Works
Groupage (Europe) and LTL (North America) let you ship less-than-truckload cargo by sharing truck space with other shippers. Pay only for the space you use — but expect longer transit windows, more handling points, and per-kg liability caps compared to dedicated full truckload services.
Load type
Shared / consolidated
Pricing basis
Per kg or per pallet
Typical transit
1–10 business days
CMR liability cap
€8.33 per kg gross
Groupage & LTL Service Type Selector
Select a service type to understand how it operates, who it suits, and the key differences in pricing, transit time, and liability exposure
Network type
Depot-to-depot (hub & spoke)
Transit window
2–7 business days
Pricing model
Per kg + per pallet (min charge)
Tracking
Depot scan + delivery events
How groupage and LTL shipping works — step by step
A groupage or LTL shipment passes through multiple handling points between collection and delivery. Understanding the sequence helps you identify where delays occur, what documents are needed at each stage, and how liability transfers along the chain.
Step 1
Step 1
Step 2
Step 2
Step 3
Step 3
Step 4
Step 4
Step 5
Step 5
Step 6
Step 6
Groupage and LTL rules at a glance
International road freight is governed by the CMR Convention. North American LTL is governed by domestic carrier tariffs and the NMFC classification system. Key rules apply at every stage.
Min shipment size
~30 kg / 1 pallet
Subject to carrier minimum charge
CMR liability
€8.33 / kg
Gross weight — declared value overrides
Claim deadline
7 days
Hidden damage — visible = on delivery
POD retention
3 years
CMR claim limitation period
Groupage and LTL pricing — how freight rates are calculated
Per kg, per pallet, or freight class-based
CMR liability — what the carrier is responsible for
Limited to SDR 8.33 per kg of gross weight lost or damaged
Documentation requirements for groupage and LTL shipments
CMR waybill (international) + commercial invoice + packing list
Frequently Asked Questions
Your next load, perfectly planned.
Start free. No credit card. No install.