General cargo
General cargo is packaged goods shipped as individual pieces — cartons, pallets, crates, drums.
What is general cargo?
General cargo is packaged goods (cartons, pallets, crates, drums) carried piece by piece or in consignments, as opposed to liquid or dry bulk.
Most imported goods are general cargo; they travel as groupage (LCL/LTL) or in full containers or trucks (FCL/FTL).
How it works in practice
General cargo is anything that travels as packages: cartons, pallets, crates, drums, bundles, equipment in crating. It is the basis of our groupage service: each package has marks, a weight and dimensions in the packing list, and can be counted, weighed and measured at the consolidation warehouse.
The opposite is liquid and dry bulk, carried by tankers and bulk carriers, which does not go into groupage consignments.
General cargo: frequently asked questions
How does general cargo differ from groupage?
General cargo describes the goods themselves (individual, packaged pieces); groupage is a way of shipping in which general cargo from different shippers is combined in one container or truck. A groupage consignment almost always consists of general cargo.
How should general cargo be packed for groupage?
On a pallet, stretch-wrapped with corner protectors; heavy items in crating or a case, with package marks and “this way up”, “do not tip” and “fragile” labels. Poor packaging is the main cause of damage during transhipment.
Does equipment count as general cargo?
Yes, if it travels packed or on a transport frame and fits within the vehicle’s dimensions. Oversized and heavy equipment is treated as project cargo with its own handling method.
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