What is Partial Load Freight?
Partial load — also called groupage or part load — means loading cargo from multiple customers into the same trailer. It is the most cost-effective option when your shipment is too small to fill a trailer on its own. Typically anything from a single pallet to a few pallets per shipment.
Part Load vs. Full Truck Load
Full truck load (FTL) means a trailer dedicated to a single customer's cargo. The whole trailer is yours, with direct loading and direct delivery — but you pay for the full trailer. Part load is the shared model — the unit cost is lower, the operator handles the loading plan.
| Criterion | Part Load | Full Load | |---|---|---| | Unit cost | Low | High | | Flexibility | Scheduled line | Departs when ready | | Cargo size | 1 pallet – a few pallets | A full trailer | | Transit time | Consolidation time added | Shorter, direct |
How a Turkey–UK Part Load Operation Works
The flow on the Turkey–UK corridor:
- Pickup: On the Turkish side, the cargo is brought to our consolidation hub in Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir or Ankara.
- Consolidation: Part loads heading to the same direction are packed inside a trailer. Loading is planned by m³, weight and the delivery route.
- Border crossing: The trailer leaves via the European road route. Bulgaria / Serbia / Hungary transit routes are common.
- UK customs: A customs declaration is filed at Dover or another UK port. Our 24/7 office at Dover is directly involved at this stage.
- UK distribution: Cargo is delivered to its final address inside the UK via pallet courier or our own distribution line.
Suitable Cargo Types
- Textile and apparel (hanging or boxed)
- Automotive aftermarket parts
- Furniture and home textiles
- Industrial machinery spare parts
- Non-food packaged consumer goods
- ADR-compliant hazardous cargo (with appropriate trailer)
Realistic Transit Time Expectations
A realistic average for Turkey–UK part load is 7–10 working days. Once consolidation and customs handling are added, that's the genuine line-service time. Need it faster? Our Speedy Van service can move cargo UK ↔ Turkey within 72 hours.
What We Need for a Quote
- Cargo description (what is being shipped)
- Total weight and volume (m³ or pallet count)
- Dimensions (especially if not on pallets)
- Pick-up address (country + city)
- Delivery address
- Target delivery date
Send these via the contact form and our operations team will reply with a quote the same day.