Freight and cargo shipping are an integral part of the supply chain and logistics. Both the terms are essentially related to goods transportation. Therefore, many people use them interchangeably. Though their purpose is the same, the two terms are different in many aspects. Online sellers dealing in shipping and delivering products must know this difference to make an informed business choice.
This blog will explore the difference between cargo shipping and freight shipping. You can learn about the shipping methods to choose the best-suited one for as per business needs.
What is Cargo Shipping?
Cargo generally refers to goods transported by ship or aircraft. It is often used in the context of international trade, where goods are moved across borders. Cargo can include anything from mails to large containers filled with products.
Similarly, the mailing services offered to transport parcels may also be called cargo.
Thus, cargo shipping refers to the transportation of goods via ships or planes.
Types of Cargo
General Cargo: This includes goods that are packaged and can be easily loaded and unloaded, such as electronics, clothing, and household items.
Bulk Cargo: This includes large quantities of unpackaged goods, such as grains, coal, and oil. Bulk cargo is typically transported in specialized containers or vessels.Break Bulk Cargo This includes goods that are too large to fit into standard containers, such as machinery, vehicles, and construction materials.
What is Freight Shipping?
Typically, freight is used for goods transported by train or truck. Freight trucks or freight trains are used for such transportation. However, goods can also be transported via air, i.e., air freight. Additionally, freight can also mean a cargo (product) is being transported via truck, train, air, or ship. However, freight is only associated with commercial goods. Thus, mail can’t be called freight.
Freight can be considered many things – product, merchandise, or payment/money. Unlike cargo, the term freight is related to payment as well. Therefore, you can say freight charges – the charges for transporting a good.
Freight can include a wide range of items, from raw materials and manufactured products to consumer goods.Thus, freight shipping refers to cargo transported via train, truck, or air.
Types of Freight
Full Truckload (FTL): This involves transporting a full truckload of goods from one point to another. It is cost-effective for large shipments that can fill an entire truck.
Less Than Truckload (LTL): This involves shipping smaller quantities of goods that do not require a full truck. Multiple shipments are combined into one truck, which is more economical for smaller loads.
Intermodal Freight: This involves using multiple modes of transportation, such as trucks, trains, and ships, to move goods. It is efficient for long-distance and international shipments.
Cargo VS Freight
The main difference between cargo and freight is the fees associated with freight. Cargo is the goods carried by larger vehicles, like cargo ships and cargo planes. At the same time, the freight is the goods carried by trucks. Cargo does not refer to money charged for transportation. But it only means the product being transported from one place to another. On the other hand, freight also refers to the goods transported from one place to another. But it can also be called the process of transporting.
Earlier, both the terms can’t be used for importing and exporting goods since cargo is transported via ship or plane and freight exclusively via truck or train. Now, you can use both the terms for importing and exporting goods as the difference between the two terms is narrowing down in modern times.
Key Differences Between Freight and Cargo
1. Mode of Transportation
Freight: Can be transported by truck, train, ship, or aircraft.
Cargo: Typically transported by ship or aircraft.
2. Usage Context
Freight: Often used in the context of domestic or commercial shipments.
Cargo: Commonly used in the context of international trade and transportation.
3. Volume and Packaging
Freight: Usually refers to goods transported in bulk, often requiring special handling and packaging.
Cargo: Can include both bulk and smaller, packaged goods.
Final Words
While cargo and freight have a lot in common, they do have minimal differences as well. Both terms refer to transporting goods, but freight also has financial connotations. Finally, cargo shipping or freight shipping depends on the mode you are using for shipping products. For example, you can ship heavy machinery material via ship cargo. Or you can deliver birthday or anniversary gifts via train or truck (freight service).
