When hiring a Transport and Logistics company to guarantee the transport of goods to a certain destination, you will probably be faced with the following question: What type of shipment is most suitable for my cargo? Is it better to opt for a groupage service or a full load transport?
Well, there is no option that is better than the other, but a service that can better adapt to the characteristics of your cargo. For this reason, it is important to understand the main aspects that distinguish a groupage service, also known as LCL (Less than Container Load), from a full load service or FCL (Full Container Load), in order to make the most suitable choice.
Generally speaking, groupage (LCL) and full load (FCL) are terms that characterize the two main types of cargo transport in containers.
If you have enough merchandise to completely fill a container or if you want your cargo to travel alone, even if the space is not completely filled, you should choose a full load transport. This alternative may not be the most interesting from an economic point of view, especially if you have little volume to transport, however, transit times are generally shorter and the cargo is less susceptible to damage, considering that this service ensures greater security.
If you don’t have enough cargo to fill a container and you are also not willing to pay for the extra space, then hiring a groupage service is probably the best alternative. If there is no impediment to your goods being transported in the same container with other different goods, this option may be more interesting monetarily, since the main costs of transport are distributed among the different exporters or importers. However, it may happen that the container is only sent when it is full, which can increase the delivery time of an order.
Now that you know the main differences, advantages and disadvantages associated with groupage and full load services, you can now make a more informed decision when hiring the transport of your goods.
