What is a Small Shipment?
What is a Small Shipment?
A small shipment is a batch of cargo transported under a single waybill. This type of shipment has its own weight and volume limitations, as well as specific categories. More details on this are provided in the article.
Small Shipment of Cargo
However, "small" does not always mean a tiny quantity. In this case, the benchmark is a railway car. If the shipment occupies a third or half of the car, and there is still free space to place additional cargo, it is considered a small shipment. Such cargo is referred to as consolidated shipments, which are beneficial for carriers.
So, small shipments are defined as cargo:
- Smaller than the size of a railway car;
- Weighing no less than 20 kg and no more than 20 tons;
- Transported under a single waybill.
Depending on the nature and size of the cargo, small shipments can be transported in both open and closed railway cars of various capacities.
Most often, consumer goods that do not require specific transportation conditions are transported this way.
Limitations on Small Shipments
This method cannot be used to transport goods that may pose a danger to people and the environment:
- Poisons;
- Weapons;
- Explosives.
It is also not recommended to transport fragile goods or medicines this way.
Can a Small Shipment Exceed 20 Tons?
Yes, but not in all cases. The issue is that small shipments are often transported to cities where unloading infrastructure is not designed for such weights. This is a crucial point that logistics specialists must consider.
Small-sized and lightweight shipments, as well as particularly valuable or fragile goods, are transported in packages. Large and heavy batches of goods are delivered via container shipments. There is a wide variety of container types, and they are also used for transporting specialized cargo.
