LTL Freight Europe
LTL freight in Europe for multi-pallet part loads from 1,000 kg, consolidated with other loads, tracked and covered by a CMR waybill.
Less than truckload (LTL) freight allows a consignment to share vehicle space with other part loads on the same route. The cost of the vehicle is shared across multiple shipments — making LTL a practical option for loads that exceed standard pallet delivery capacity but do not justify a full dedicated truck. Go Trans arranges LTL freight across European routes through trusted carrier partners including DSV, DHL, DPD, UPS, and FedEx.
What LTL Freight Means
LTL freight — also referred to as groupage freight or part load freight in European road logistics — describes the same consolidation model. Multiple partial loads from different senders are combined at a consolidation point and dispatched together on a shared vehicle toward the destination corridor. The same consolidation principle applies to groupage transport from Belgium, where several shippers' goods share one trailer.
The indicative load range for LTL typically falls between larger pallet delivery thresholds and full truckload volumes. As a general reference, LTL often suits consignments from around 1,000 kg up to loads approaching but not filling a full vehicle. Larger part loads that need fewer stops than consolidated LTL are often booked as a PTL shipment, which skips hub transfers and reduces handling. These thresholds are indicative only — the right service is confirmed based on actual load dimensions, weight, route, and carrier partner availability at the time of booking.
Every LTL shipment arranged through the service includes a tracking reference issued on confirmation, with visibility from collection to final delivery through the assigned carrier partner's system.
How LTL Compares to FTL and Pallet Delivery
Understanding where LTL sits between pallet delivery and full truckload freight helps identify the right service before booking.
LTL vs FTL: LTL shares vehicle space and involves consolidation stops — transit is typically longer than FTL as a result. FTL reserves an entire vehicle and travels direct from origin to destination with no shared stops. For loads that justify a full vehicle, full truckload transport offers faster, more direct routing. The right choice depends on total load volume, timeline, and cost considerations confirmed at booking. Those three factors are the basis for choosing FTL or LTL on any cross-border lane.
LTL vs pallet delivery: Pallet delivery suits single or small pallet loads handled through courier-range services. LTL suits larger part loads requiring road freight consolidation — typically from around 3–4 pallets upward where standard pallet courier handling is no longer appropriate. For lighter single pallet consignments, pallet delivery is the more suitable way to send a pallet in Europe.
Load and Service Reference
Use the table below as a guide before requesting a quote. All thresholds are indicative — the right service is confirmed based on actual load dimensions, weight, route, and carrier partner availability.
| Load type | Typical volume | Recommended service |
|---|---|---|
| Single or small pallets | 1–3 pallets | Pallet Delivery |
| Part load — multiple pallets | Several pallets, shared truck space | LTL Freight |
| Large load — near or full truck | 10+ pallets or high-weight consignment | FTL Freight |
| Oversized or dedicated load | Bespoke vehicle requirement | Van Delivery |
What Loads LTL Covers
LTL freight suits a range of cross-border consignment types on European routes:
- Palletized goods — standard euro pallets and industrial pallets moving between facilities
- Small machinery and equipment requiring road freight handling rather than courier services
- Wholesale goods moving between European distribution points on a regular basis
- Manufacturing components and assemblies on recurring cross-border routes
- Retail stock for distribution centres across European corridors
Specialist load requirements — including fragile, high-value, or temperature-sensitive goods — are confirmed at the time of booking based on carrier partner capability and route availability. Not every carrier partner handles every load type or every European route.
Who Uses LTL Freight
LTL freight is suited to businesses with part load volumes that exceed standard pallet delivery capacity but do not consistently fill a full truck. Common use cases include:
- Manufacturers moving components or finished goods between European facilities on a regular or scheduled basis
- Wholesale businesses shipping recurring part loads to distribution customers across European borders
- Automotive and industrial suppliers with multi-pallet loads that do not justify a dedicated vehicle
- Businesses with one-off or irregular cross-border part load requirements across European routes
For businesses with recurring LTL needs, ongoing collection arrangements can be discussed through the same contact point — removing the need to rebook individually for each shipment.
How LTL Freight Is Arranged
The service operates through a logistics arranger model. Go Trans does not own freight vehicles — it connects customers with suitable carrier partners based on load profile, route, and required delivery timeline. LTL is one of the load options within the European freight brokerage that Go Trans operates, alongside FTL and groupage.
The process works in 4 steps:
- Submit your load details. Provide the collection address, delivery address, load dimensions, total weight, and required timeline through the quote page.
- A suitable carrier partner is identified. From its network including DSV, DHL, DPD, UPS, and FedEx, the most appropriate carrier for the route and load profile is confirmed. Partner availability varies by route and load type — the right match is confirmed before the shipment is finalized.
- Consolidation and collection are arranged. The load is combined with other part loads at a consolidation point before dispatch. Forklift access and loading dock availability at both the collection and delivery address should be confirmed at the time of booking — requirements vary by carrier and route.
- Tracking and documentation are provided. A tracking reference is issued on confirmation. A CMR waybill covers the shipment as standard cross-border road freight documentation. Part loads entering the United Kingdom cross a customs border after Brexit, so freight to the UK from Europe adds commercial invoice and EORI support to the CMR.
Submit your load details and availability will be confirmed for your route and load profile.