Consignment refers to the carriage of goods on previously planned journeys. This efficiently utilizes unused cargo space to save costs and resources.
Consignment is a practical and cost-effective solution for low-volume transports. It is often used by freight forwarders to fill free loading space. This is particularly worthwhile for longer distances, such as between cities or international moves. For customers, this means lower prices if they are flexible with the delivery date. And for transport companies, it means greater efficiency and utilization.
The principle is simple: If you only have a few pieces of furniture or boxes to transport, you don't have to book the entire cargo space of a van. Instead, the items are loaded together with other shipments. This significantly reduces the price compared to individual bookings. Consignment is also a means for companies to make logistics sustainable.
Typical applications include furniture transport, household clearances, or the shipping of individual pallets. Even bulky items like sofas or refrigerators can be shipped cost-effectively as part loads. It's important that the shipment isn't time-critical. Flexibility regarding pickup and delivery times is key to successful part loads.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when booking a part load. The packaging of the shipment should be sturdy and safe for transport. An exact description of the size and weight helps the freight forwarder with planning. Sufficient lead time should also be allowed, as pickup can't always be arranged immediately.
