What is groupage or shared cargo?

If the quantity and volume of goods are less than the space of a full container load (FCL), it is better for the importer’s goods to be consolidated with others’ goods in a shared container. This reduces transportation costs but may extend the transit time. This action is called groupage.

What does groupage mean?

As you know, the volume of a 20-foot container is about 35 cubic meters. Therefore, import–export companies that provide forwarding services receive goods from customers upon quoting the costs. Since many customers have small shipments, trading companies can consolidate these shipments and send them together, which is commonly referred to as “groupage or consolidated shipping“.

But when the cargo is transported as (FCL) Full Container Loading, naturally, the entire volume of a container must be occupied. 20 feet HQ containers can load up to 35 cubic meters and 40 feet HQ containers can load up to 70 cubic meters.

We must know that the transportation of grouppage also has its own rules. It is a very wrong thing to carry many goods that require a mandatory standard and in the form of retail goods at the same time with goods such as electronic components or any goods that do not require a standard or license. Because this causes the entire cargo to remain in the customs until obtaining the license for the goods that require standards and is not allowed to be cleared, and you lose a lot of time for the cargo to arrive.

Advantages and disadvantages of shared cargo:

Disadvantages of shared cargo: The delivery time will increase.
Advantages of shared cargo: Lower shipping cost.

Nilgon Group Holding is the best groupage company with experienced and capable forces in loading and uploading operations to European countries and neighboring countries.