FTL or LTL: when a full load pays and when groupage is the better buy
Where the break-even actually sits, why the answer at six pallets differs by cargo type, and where volumetric weight comes from, the figure that can double an invoice.
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The difference in one sentence
FTL is a whole vehicle taken for one consignment: it runs direct from A to B. LTL is groupage: your pallets travel with other people’s, through transhipment terminals, and you pay only for the space you occupy.
Where the break-even sits
| Consignment size | Usually better | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1–6 pallets | LTL | you pay for occupied space, not for an empty vehicle |
| 7–12 pallets | it depends | compare both quotes, the gap is often small |
| 13 pallets and up | FTL | cost per pallet drops, plus speed and no transhipment |
But a break-even counted in pallets is a simplification. Three cases where FTL wins even at two pallets:
- Fragile goods. Every handling is a fresh chance of damage; a groupage consignment usually passes through two to four terminals.
- A hard deadline. LTL waits for the load to fill; FTL leaves immediately.
- Non-standard freight - out-of-gauge, ADR in quantity, temperature-controlled. A groupage terminal often will not accept it at all.
Volumetric weight, where the second price comes from
On LTL you pay for the greater of two figures: actual weight or volumetric weight. The second comes from the space occupied, because a trailer fills up by volume long before it reaches its tonnage limit.
In practice: a pallet of cushions weighing 80 kg takes the same floor space as a pallet of tiles weighing 900 kg, and will be charged as though it were far heavier than the scales say. Light, bulky freight therefore loses the LTL advantage sooner than most people expect.
Stackability changes the bill
A pallet under 180 cm can usually be double-stacked, which means it occupies half a space. Above that, a full space. One line on the order - “pallets stackable” - can change the rate by half. Worth settling before the goods are built to 190 cm.
What to compare between quotes
- Transit time, not just price. Twenty per cent cheaper and four days slower is not always a saving.
- Number of handlings on the route, more handlings, more damage risk.
- Whether booking and unloading at the consignee are included.
- The liability ceiling - the CMR convention and 8.33 SDR per kilogram apply either way. For valuable goods see cargo insurance.
Services: FTL and LTL groupage.
Frequently asked
Is LTL always slower?
Usually by two to five days, because consolidation and terminal handling are added.
Can I send a single pallet on FTL?
You can, but you pay for the whole vehicle. It makes sense only for urgent, fragile or non-standard freight.
What details does a quote need?
Dimensions, weight, pallet count and stackability, the rest is in our guide to sending freight.