Freight Shipping vs. Cargo: Key Differences Every Shipper Should Know – Here's How to Check

Whether you are a master in logistics management or a small business owner getting acquainted with logistics for the first time, it is essential to know the difference between freight shipping and cargo. Yes, even though these terms mean the same thing, in fact, they don't. Knowing these distinctions will enable you to make informed freight choices, save some bucks, and dodge all the triggers that come along with freight shipping.

So, breaking it down and telling you how you know which of the services fits your needs.

What is Freight Shipping?

Freight shipping means moving a large volume of goods across long distances usually by road, rail, sea, or air. It is mainly used in business-to-business (B2B) logistics to ship those items that are either too large or too heavy to be shipped through the standard parcel services.

Freight can usually be classified into the following categories:

• Less Than Truckload (LTL): Suitable for minor shipments that do not require the entire truck.

• Full Truckload (FTL): This is when you have enough goods to fill an entire truck.

• Intermodal: This is the linking of more than one mode of transport in order to facilitate a cheaper long-haul option, for example rail and truck.

Freight usually looks like pallets, crates, or boxes and requires coordination of carriers specializing in large shipments.

What is Cargo?

While the generality of "cargo" is interchangeable with "freight, cargo refers specifically to any goods transported by any vehicle, and includes things shipped by air, sea, rail, trucking, and mail. Cargo is used predominantly in reference to ship and air transport and is generally associated with international (cross-border) and bulk transport. 

Unlike a service that is narrowly characterized as freight shipping, cargo is a broader term that includes loose bulk materials, containerised, palletised and mail shipments, and even live cargo (animals). Also, many terms may be used to distinguish the types of handling of cargo including "expedited" (time-sensitive), "perishable" (requiring temperature control).

Key Differences at a Glance

How to Check What You Need

When considering freight shipping or cargo services, you should consider the following:

1. Volume and Weight: If you have a large shipment (over 68kg) or a pallet shipment, you will likely want to use freight shipping.

1. Destination: Cargo is most often used for international deliveries. If you are shipping internationally and sending pallets or containers or planning to send by air freight, cargo services may be more suitable.

1. Time: Since freight services are generally an expected time frame, you can easily ship with time sensitivity in mind.

1. Type of Items: Cargo may be a good option for unique type of goods or bulk items. Freight would more suit standard business shipment.

Simplify Shipping with Couriers & Freight

Differentiating freight shipping from cargo doesn't need to be hard. That's where Couriers & Freight come in as one of the leading freight solution providers across Australia with advice and advised services for domestic and international freights! 

Moving your cargo across the country or shipping an item worldwide, Couriers & Freight, will connect you with the appropriate carriers and transportation options ensuring you are making the right decision in a smart and cost-effective manner. You will have access to the best transportation options and prices around! 

Comparing quotes, tracking your freight and managing all your shipments from one central point! You can be assured they are uniquely positioned to handle everything from freight forwarding, customs clearance, and warehousing where they do it all! 

Whatever your shipment size or complexity, Couriers & Freight can show you the right service for you, freight or cargo. 

Final Thoughts: Know Before You Ship

Knowing the subtle but also important differences between freight shipping and cargo can be the difference between an efficient logistics strategy and a lackluster one. When you talk about freight shipping it usually applies to some structured, commercial shipping and normally only pertains to domestic shipping. Cargo is a broader term which involves international shipping or bulk shipping. 

The bottom line: always check where the dimensions, destination, how much time is expected and what kind of things are being shipped. 

When in doubt, consult with an experienced company like Couriers & Freight to hammer out your needs and streamline the process. They will help ensure that you make the right decisions in the process of shipping freight and cargo such that you will save time and money while ensuring your goods arrive safely and on time!