Freight Guide
LTL vs FTL: which one fits your shipment?
The short answer
Choose FTL (full truckload) when your cargo fills most of a trailer, is urgent, fragile or high-value. Choose LTL (less-than-truckload / groupage) when you ship 1–10 pallets and cost matters more than speed.
The one-table comparison
| FTL | LTL | |
|---|---|---|
| Best volume | 12–24 t / 33 pallets | 1–10 pallets |
| Price logic | Per truck, fixed | Per pallet / per 100 kg |
| Transit BE → DE | Direct, 1 day | 1–3 days (via hub) |
| Handling risk | Loaded once, sealed | Transhipped 1–2× |
| Typical saving vs FTL | — | 40–60% |
Three questions that decide it
- "Does it fill at least 60% of a trailer?" Above ~14 t or ~20 pallets, FTL is usually cheaper per unit.
- "Is it fragile, high-value or temperature-sensitive?" Every LTL transhipment is a handling event. Direct FTL means your goods are loaded and sealed once.
- "When must it arrive?" FTL leaves when you say. LTL follows fixed departure schedules — great for regular flows, wrong for emergencies.
The hybrid most shippers forget
For recurring flows of 6–14 pallets, dedicated LTL departures combine both worlds: you share the trailer with one or two compatible shippers on a fixed weekly schedule. You get near-FTL transit at 60–70% of the FTL price. Ask us about consolidation on your lane — it is our most popular setup for Benelux–Germany flows.
Compare both options instantly
Select your lane and cargo type in the calculator — it prices FTL and LTL side by side.
Compare FTL vs LTL prices