Road freight
International road freight, FTL and groupage.
From a single pallet to a full trailer, across borders and door-to-door. We match each load with a vetted haulier, manage the documents and keep you informed until delivery.
Overview
Direct, flexible and fast over land.
Road freight takes cargo from one door to another with no change of vehicle and minimal handling. Over short and medium distances it is often the fastest mode in practice, and for regional trade it is usually the most economical.
We do not run a fleet, so we have no empty trucks to fill. For each load we choose between full truck load, part load and groupage, select a haulier with the right equipment, insurance and record on the route, and agree collection and delivery windows that suit both ends.
Photograph to comeTruck on open road at first light, wide landscape
What is included
Every load size, every border.
Road freight is charged by the space a shipment occupies in the trailer as well as its weight. We quote the option that uses space most efficiently.
Full truck load (FTL)
A dedicated trailer for your cargo, moving directly from collection to delivery. Fastest and most secure for larger volumes.
Part load and groupage (LTL)
Your pallets share a trailer with other shipments and are charged by loading metre or pallet place. Economical from a single pallet upwards.
Cross-border transport
International carriage under the CMR Convention, including transit documents and export and import formalities where borders require them.
Specialised equipment
Curtain-siders, box trailers, mega trailers for high-volume cargo and tail-lifts for deliveries without a loading dock.
| Equipment | Loading length | Euro pallets (120 × 80 cm) | Typical payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard semi-trailer | 13.6 m | 33 | up to about 24,000 kg |
| Mega trailer (higher internal height) | 13.6 m | 33 | up to about 24,000 kg |
| Rigid truck | 7–8 m | 15–18 | up to about 10,000 kg |
When to choose road freight
An honest comparison with sea and air.
Where a land route exists, road is often the default. But not always.
Road freight usually makes sense when
- Origin and destination are connected by land within a few days' drive
- You want door-to-door delivery without transhipment or port handling
- Collection and delivery need specific times or appointments
- Volumes vary, from single pallets to full trailers
Consider another mode when
- The distance is very long and the deadline is relaxed: sea freight may be cheaper, even with road legs at each end
- The goods are needed within a day or two over a long distance: air freight may be the only option
- Border waiting times on the route are long or unpredictable at the time of shipping
How a road shipment runs
From booking to delivery.
Booking
We confirm the haulier, equipment, collection window and expected delivery date, and the documents needed for any borders on the route.
Collection
The driver collects at the agreed time. The CMR note is signed at loading, recording the condition and quantity of the goods.
Transit and borders
We confirm departure and follow the vehicle. Where the route crosses a customs border, transit or export documents travel with the load.
Delivery
Delivery at the agreed time. The consignee signs the CMR note, noting any visible damage or shortfall.
Close-out
We send you the signed CMR as proof of delivery, with a final invoice that matches the quote.
Documents
What a road shipment needs.
We send a checklist with every booking. These are the documents most international road shipments require. Read more in documents for international road freight.
- CMR consignment note
- The contract of carriage under the CMR Convention, signed by shipper, carrier and consignee. It is the key evidence if goods arrive damaged. See CMR.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Describe the goods, their value, the Incoterm and the pieces and weights loaded.
- Export declaration and transit document
- Where the route leaves a customs territory, an export declaration and usually a transit document, such as a T1 or a TIR carnet, travel with the goods.
- Certificates and licences
- Where required, for example certificates of origin, or ATA carnets for goods travelling temporarily.
- ADR documents
- For dangerous goods by road, transport documents under the ADR agreement, correct labelling and suitably equipped vehicles.
Transit guidance
How long it typically takes.
Road transit depends on distance, driving-time regulations, the number of borders and the load type. Every quote states the expected collection and delivery dates for the specific load.
- Driving and rest times are regulated, which limits daily distance for a single driver
- Groupage adds time for consolidation at a hub and onward distribution
- Customs borders, weekend driving bans and holidays can add a day or more
- Ferry crossings follow fixed schedules
Indicative only
| Distance | Indicative door-to-door (FTL) |
|---|---|
| Up to 500 km | 1 day |
| 500–1,000 km | 1–2 days |
| 1,000–2,000 km | 2–4 days |
| Over 2,000 km | 4–6 days |
Indicative door-to-door transit for a full truck load within mainland Europe. Not a commitment: actual times depend on route, borders and season.
Road freight FAQ
Common questions.
What is a loading metre?
One metre of trailer length, used across the full width of the trailer. Part loads are often charged by loading metre, because a pallet that cannot be stacked occupies floor space regardless of its weight. A standard trailer has 13.6 loading metres. See loading metre.
What happens if goods arrive damaged?
Note the damage on the CMR note at delivery, with photos, before signing. Then tell us immediately. Under the CMR Convention, the haulier's liability is limited to 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight, and visible damage must be reserved at delivery. We manage the claim with the haulier on your behalf.
Should I choose FTL or groupage?
Groupage is usually cheaper for a few pallets but takes longer and involves more handling. Once a shipment fills around a third to half of a trailer, a part or full load is often competitive, and faster. We quote both when it is close.
Can you transport dangerous goods by road?
Dangerous goods by road travel under the ADR agreement, with trained drivers, equipped vehicles and correct documents. {{TODO: confirm whether Cargo Captain arranges ADR transport}}
Moving goods by road?
Tell us the pallets or loading metres, collection and delivery points and dates. You will receive an itemised road freight quote within {{TODO: quote response time}}.
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