Groupage & Part Load Transport (LTL)
Share a trailer and pay only for the space your pallets use
From a single pallet, on regular departures between the UK and Europe, with customs handled.
- From one pallet
- Per pallet or loading metre
- 2–4 days to France and Benelux
What is Groupage & Part Load Transport (LTL)?
Groupage means sharing a trailer. Your pallets travel with other customers’ freight on the same vehicle, so you pay only for the space your goods use rather than for a whole lorry.
Freight is collected, taken to a depot, consolidated with other consignments heading the same way, then trunked across to a partner depot near the destination for final delivery. Part loads (LTL) work in a similar way, but larger consignments are often loaded direct, with fewer depot stops.
Groupage suits anything from a single pallet up to a few loading metres, for UK distribution and for exports and imports to and from Europe.
Request Groupage Transport
Get a quote for part load and groupage shipments based on your volume, route, and delivery schedule.
Groupage at a glance
Watch out for: groupage freight is handled at depots and stacked on the trailer. Pallets must be wrapped and stable, and anything that cannot be stacked must be declared at booking, because it takes up the full height of the trailer and is charged accordingly.
Benefits of Groupage & LTL Transport
Lower cost for smaller loads
You pay per pallet or per loading metre, not for an empty trailer.
No minimum volume
Send one pallet or several, as often as you need.
Regular departures
Set departure days on the main European routes make delivery dates easier to plan.
Customs in one place
Export and import declarations are handled by us, so your goods move through the border with the rest of the trailer.
Lower carbon per pallet
Sharing vehicle space means fewer part-empty lorries on the road.
Why Choose Qube Cargo for Groupage & LTL Transport
We are a UK freight forwarder, not a call centre. You deal with the same small team from booking to delivery.
Honest advice on load type
If your shipment would be cheaper or faster as a part load or a dedicated vehicle, we will tell you.
UK and European coverage
Groupage within the UK and to and from Europe, with links into our road freight network.
Customs handled
Export declarations, transit documents and import clearance arranged for every consignment.
Tail-lift and timed deliveries
For sites without a forklift or with booking-in slots.
Talk to a person
Call us on 07544 381501.
Groupage & LTL Transport Solutions We Provide
- Palletised Freight Transport
Cost-effective movement of palletised goods across domestic and international routes. - Part Load (LTL) Shipping
Flexible solutions for shipments that do not require full vehicle capacity. - Shared European Transport
Groupage services across major UK–Europe trade routes. - Regular Scheduled Departures
Frequent transport options for consistent and repeat shipments. - Cross-Border Groupage
Managed international deliveries with full customs coordination.
Preparing pallets for groupage
Well-prepared pallets travel faster, get damaged less and are priced correctly. Here is what to check.
Typical pallet limits
Full pallet
Up to 1,000 kg and 2.2 m high, including the pallet.
Half pallet
Up to 500 kg and 1.1 m high.
Quarter pallet
Up to 250 kg and 0.8 m high.
Pallet checklist
No overhang
Goods should sit within the edges of the pallet, so they are not crushed by neighbouring freight.
Wrapped and strapped
Stretch-wrap the load to the pallet base and strap heavy items, so the pallet can be moved by forklift without shifting.
Labelled on two sides
Show the delivery address and consignment reference on at least two sides of every pallet.
Sound pallets
Use undamaged pallets. For exports outside the EU and UK, wooden pallets usually need to be ISPM 15 heat treated.
Paperwork ready
For international groupage, send the commercial invoice with commodity codes before collection so customs data can be filed in time.
When to switch
Once a shipment passes around six to eight pallets, a part load or full load is often quicker and better value.
How We Deliver Groupage & LTL Transport
1. Quote
Tell us the number of pallets, their size and weight, whether they can be stacked, and the collection and delivery addresses.
2. Collection
We collect from your site, with tail-lift vehicles available if you have no forklift or loading bay.
3. Consolidation
Your pallets are checked, weighed and loaded at the depot alongside other freight heading the same way.
4. Customs and transit
For international shipments we submit the export declaration and border data before the trailer departs, and track it across.
5. Delivery
The partner depot clears and delivers your goods, with timed or booked-in delivery where needed.
Groupage
Next Day
Hazardous
Drop Shipping
Freight Insurance
Customs Clearance
Rail Freight
Container Haulage
eCommerce
Global Groupage & LTL Transport Coverage
We provide groupage and part load transport solutions across key domestic and international trade routes.
UK & Europe
Established groupage networks across major cities, industrial regions, and cross-border routes.
Asia & Middle East
Part load and consolidated freight solutions across key trade corridors.
North & South America
Groupage solutions across major logistics hubs and inland destinations.
Africa
Consolidated transport to ports, industrial sites, and inland locations.
Australasia & Oceania
Freight consolidation services across Australia, New Zealand, and regional markets.
Case Study – Groupage Delivery from the UK to Germany
A UK-based supplier required cost-effective transport for palletised goods to multiple delivery points in Germany.
A groupage solution was arranged, consolidating the shipment with compatible freight and coordinating delivery through an established European network.
The shipment was delivered on schedule, reducing transport costs while maintaining reliable delivery times.
Groupage Transport FAQs
Yes. UK businesses exporting to the EU need a GB EORI number for the export declaration, and the importer in the EU needs an EU EORI number for import clearance. We can advise if either party does not have one yet.
Many groupage services accept dangerous goods in limited quantities or under ADR, but not all routes and depots can take every class. Tell us the UN number and quantity at booking and we will confirm the best option.
Pallets are checked at the depot. If the size or weight differs from the booking, the shipment is re-charged on the actual figures, and unsafe or unstable pallets may be held until they are re-wrapped.
Usually by one to three days, because freight goes through depots and waits for set departure days. For urgent freight, a dedicated van or truck goes direct from collection to delivery.
Yes. We can book a tail-lift vehicle and pump truck for collection or delivery, or arrange a timed or booked-in delivery slot. Let us know at booking so it can be included in the quote.
Carriers have limited liability. For international road freight under the CMR Convention it is 8.33 SDR per kilo of gross weight, which is often less than the value of the goods. We recommend separate cargo insurance for anything of value.