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LTL: Truck transport for partial loads

LTL (less-than-truck load) is ideal for smaller consignments. Our trucks collect your goods and deliver them to several destinations. By applying smart route planning, we ensure optimal use of available space, delivering transport solutions that are both efficient and cost-effective, even when your shipment only takes up a portion of the load capacity. 

Customized solutions for smaller shipments via LTL

LTL trucking allows transport of nearly all types of goods, independent of weight, size or unique requirements. You pay solely for the truck space used by your shipment. With LTL shipping, the consolidated shipments are sent straight to each respective recipient without temporary storage at the Rhenus hub. 

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Your benefits with less-than-truck loads

Freight consolidation provides more favourable shipping rates and reduces overall costs as partial shipments are consolidated in a single truck and transported directly to the point of use.

Benefit from shorter delivery times because you are not solely responsible for utilising the entire truck capacity.

LTL offers you a high level of flexibility to meet your individual requirements, while also allowing you to respond flexibly to your customers’ needs.

Sharing a truck lowers your environmental impact along the supply chain.

Why choose Rhenus as your partner for LTL 

  • With our global partner network and daily truck services, your shipments are delivered in a fast and reliable manner. 
  • You can benefit from our one-stop services, covering consulting through to customs services, allowing you to save time and money. 
  • Drawing on years of experience in transporting goods with special requirements, including temperature-controlled or time-sensitive shipments, we handle these operations smoothly. 
  • Our customer service and online tracking system keep you updated on your shipment – at every point and at any time. 

Your value-added services for LTL trucking

Customs officer

Customs clearance

Wherever your shipment is going, we support you in navigating each country’s regulations. Supported by the global Rhenus Group and our close cooperation with local authorities, we ensure your shipment complies with all customs requirements and clears customs efficiently. Our services cover customs and fiscal services, bonded warehousing, foreign trade consulting and AEO certification.

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Tons with dangerous goods

Dangerous goods

Across our business sites, our dedicated dangerous goods officers provide training for our teams to manage hazardous items securely, supervise transport activities and maintain compliance with all national and international safety regulations. Our offerings include handling dangerous goods (ADR), limited quantities (LQ), excepted quantities (EQ) and temperature-controlled transport.

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Temperature control system

Temperature-controlled transport

Temperature-sensitive goods such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, paint and lacquer, adhesives and foils are transported through our specialized solutions. The Rhenus Group deploys thermal vehicles equipped with multiple advantages, including swap bodies with integrated air conditioning, cooling and heating systems driven by diesel or electricity, along with advanced technology for recording and monitoring to maintain consistent temperatures across the transport process.

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Transport insurance

For international shipments, freight forwarders carry limited liability, which means compensation for damage or loss is often considerably less than the goods’ actual value. To protect yourself from possible costs, we recommend obtaining additional insurance coverage. Solutions like all-risks insurance, tailor-made transport insurance policies or long-term shipping insurance can help secure both financial coverage and confidence.

Rhenus Truck getting filled at a warehouse

Express shipment

With our express services, solutions are adapted to suit all your shipping needs. Regardless of weight or size, we make sure your shipment reaches your selected destination on time. Our services include courier services, direct deliveries and special solutions for both full and partial loads.

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Digital services

Our online tools enable you to retrieve your shipment information at any time. Through our Track & Trace function, you can track the entire shipment journey step by step, with insight into the truck, shipment and package-level details. Our user-friendly Rhenus WebOrder tool allows you to arrange shipments at any time while benefiting from multiple additional service options.

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Reduce your transport costs for your goods

Our LTL trucking experts are available with just one click. Together, we will identify the best solution for your needs.

Frequently asked questions

Groupage is defined as the combination of multiple LTL shipments from various companies into a single truck, whereas LTL applies when goods from one company only partially occupy the truck capacity and are consolidated to improve shipping rates and lower costs.

LTL refers to less-than-truck load. It is suitable when you cannot fill a complete truck with your goods and want to share available space to increase efficiency and minimize waiting times. With LTL shipping, you save on costs and maintain the flexibility required for your operations.

FTL requires you to pay for the entire truck space, making it important to have enough goods prepared for shipment when booking this service, as the capacity is dedicated only to your cargo. In contrast, LTL delivers a higher level of flexibility aligned with your needs. Through LTL, time-sensitive shipments can be handled without the need to wait until your goods alone fill a complete truck.

Compared to FTL, transit time may be increased since shipments can include several stops. Furthermore, LTL loads may be subject to repeated handling throughout transit.

LTL trucking costs are largely based on the route and the quantity being shipped. Other aspects, including express shipping options, also influence pricing