Frachtgut
Also: Fracht, Transportgut, Ladung, Frachtware, Cargo, Gut, Güter, Versandgut
AI-generated
Freight refers to the goods or consignment transported as part of a shipping order. Characteristics such as weight, volume, packaging, and hazardous goods classification determine the respective transport requirements.
Key facts
- Freight encompasses all physical goods transported as part of a shipping order and is to be distinguished from the logistical unit known as a 'shipment'.
- Weight, volume, type of packaging, and hazardous goods classification are the key attributes that determine transport requirements and tariffing.
- Accurate classification of freight is a prerequisite for valid carrier tenders, compliant documentation, and effective claims management.
- For hazardous goods, separate regulations apply depending on the mode of transport, and compliance with these is legally mandatory.
What is freight?
Freight is the umbrella term for all goods and commodities transported from a sender to a recipient as part of a shipping order. The term is established in transport and forwarding law and forms the basis for tariffing, documentation, and liability. An important distinction exists between freight and shipment: a shipment describes the logistical unit of an order — everything a client dispatches within a single order. Freight, by contrast, refers to the physical content — the goods themselves with all their characteristics.
Types and classification
Freight can be categorized according to various criteria that directly influence handling, route selection, and costs:
- General cargo: Individual, discrete packages transported together with other shipments.
- Groupage: Multiple shipments from different clients are consolidated into a single load.
- Full truck load (FTL): A vehicle is loaded exclusively for one client.
- Hazardous goods: Goods carrying special risks that are subject to separate regulations — such as ADR for road transport.
- Heavy and bulky goods: Goods that require special vehicles or permits due to their dimensions or weight.
In addition, physical characteristics such as temperature sensitivity, fragility, or special handling instructions play a central role in classification.
Practical significance
For warehouse planning and logistics management, the accurate recording and classification of freight is critical, as it feeds directly into several operational areas. In carrier selection and tendering, freight data — particularly weight, volume, and hazardous goods classification — forms the basis for valid rate inquiries. Inaccurate or incomplete information leads to additional charges, transport delays, or liability gaps.
Clean freight documentation is also essential for claims processing: packaging requirements, labeling obligations, and accompanying documents such as the bill of lading or hazardous goods labels must be fully available in order to assert claims in the event of damage. Within WMS and TMS systems, freight attributes feed into picking and packing rules as well as freight cost calculation.
What to consider when classifying freight
The classification of freight is not always straightforward and may be assessed differently depending on the mode of transport, destination region, and carrier. For hazardous goods in particular, regular training of the responsible personnel is recommended, as regulations can change. For cross-border transport, customs requirements are added, requiring an exact description of goods and tariff numbers. Early coordination with the freight forwarder regarding special handling requirements avoids surprises at the point of collection.
Related terms
- Absatzlogistik
Distribution logistics encompasses all logistical processes that ensure the flow of goods from the company to the end customer. It includes warehousing, transportation, order fulfillment, and service level management in the outbound area.
- Auftragsabwicklung
Order fulfillment refers to the complete process from receiving a customer order through to its successful delivery and invoicing. It encompasses all operational and administrative steps required to fulfill an order on time and without errors.
- Avisierung
Pre-advice refers to the advance notification of a delivery by the supplier to the recipient before the goods arrive. It enables the warehouse to plan staffing, dock capacity, and put-away processes in a timely manner.
- Cargo Handling
Cargo Handling refers to the physical processing of freight at transshipment points such as ports, terminals, hubs, or warehouses. It encompasses all operational activities from loading and unloading through sorting to cargo securing.
- Carrier
A carrier is a transport service provider that physically moves goods from a point of origin to a destination. It assumes operational responsibility for the actual transport – as opposed to freight forwarders or logistics service providers, who often only coordinate.
- Colli
Colli refers to a single package within a shipment – such as a carton, a crate, or a bundle. The number of colli represents the package count in shipping documents and serves as the basis for labeling, loading, and freight billing.
- Cross-Docking
Cross-docking is a logistics method in which goods are transferred directly from inbound to outbound transport at a transshipment point, without going through conventional put-away and storage.
- Cross-Docking
Cross-docking refers to a goods handling process in which items are transferred directly from inbound receiving to outbound shipping without interim storage. The goal is to reduce throughput times and avoid warehousing costs.
- Direktbelieferung
Direct delivery refers to the shipment of goods directly from the vendor to the end customer or production facility, bypassing any intermediate warehouse.
- Distributionslogistik
Distribution logistics encompasses all processes that move goods from the manufacturer or warehouse to the end customer – from network planning through storage and transportation to order fulfillment.
- Gefahrgut
Dangerous goods refers to substances and objects that pose a risk to people, the environment, or property during transport and are therefore subject to strict legal regulations.