Special rates for bulk shipments: pallets, LTL, FTL, and container loads. Contact us for a custom quote based on your regular volume.
Bulk freight pricing applies when you are shipping large quantities of goods — multiple pallets, a partial truckload (LTL), a full truckload (FTL), or a full sea container (FCL). At these volumes, carrier rates drop significantly because the carrier's cost per unit falls. Cargosender negotiates dedicated contracts with haulage companies, groupage operators, and shipping lines to pass these savings to you.
Bulk shipments attract 30–60% discounts vs. per-parcel retail rates. The more you move, the lower the unit cost.
FTL (Full Truck Load) means your goods don't mix with others — faster, more secure, and fewer handling touchpoints.
Need pallets picked, wrapped, and staged before dispatch? Our warehouse partners in Lisbon and Porto handle this.
All bulk shipments can be covered under our open cargo insurance policy for goods in transit.
Enter total weight, dimensions, pallet count, and any special requirements.
Tell us if this is a one-off or regular shipment — volume pricing unlocks at monthly commitment.
Our freight team sends you a detailed quote within 2–4 hours.
Confirm the booking. Collection arranged within your requested window.
Indicative rates for common bulk shipment types. Actual rates depend on route, volume, and carrier availability.
| Service / Route | Economy | Express | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pallet (100 kg) — Domestic Portugal | from €45 | from €80 | Includes collection |
| Pallet (100 kg) — EU road | from €75 | from €140 | 3–7 days EU |
| LTL (500 kg, 2 pallets) — Iberia | from €180 | from €320 | 2–4 days |
| FTL (24 tonnes) — Portugal to Germany | from €1,800 | from €2,800 | Door-to-door |
| FCL 20ft — Portugal to Brazil | from €1,200 | — | 20–30 days sea |
| FCL 40ft — Portugal to USA | from €2,200 | — | 12–20 days sea |
Rates are indicative and subject to market fluctuations. Request a custom bulk quote via the form above.
FTL rates are typically per vehicle per route. LTL rates are per tonne or per pallet. Lower per-unit costs as volume increases.
Longer routes have higher absolute costs but lower costs per km. Major EU corridors (Portugal–Spain–France–Germany) are very competitive.
General cargo (palletised boxes) has standard rates. Hazardous materials, temperature-controlled, oversized or abnormal loads carry surcharges.
Road freight carriers apply a diesel surcharge (typically 15–25% of base rate) updated monthly. Sea freight applies bunker surcharges.
Groupage (LTL) shipments with flexible collection/delivery windows get better rates than urgent or rigid scheduling requirements.
If goods need palletising, stretch wrapping, or fumigation certificates before dispatch, these services add to the overall cost.
Commit to a regular weekly or monthly load on the same route and carrier, and benefit from standing order rates 20–35% below spot.
Groupage operators fill trucks from multiple shippers. Being flexible with your collection date (e.g., ±1 day) gets you a lower rate.
Pallets stacked to standard height (max 220 cm including pallet), properly stretch-wrapped, avoid rebooking fees and handling surcharges.
Road freight hauliers in Portugal and across Europe apply a diesel surcharge based on published fuel prices. The most common reference is the weekly diesel price published by ENSE (Entidade Nacional para o Setor Energético) in Portugal or the OILX index. Surcharges typically range from 15–30% of the base haulage rate. For regular bulk shipping customers, Cargosender can negotiate a fixed quarterly surcharge rate to remove uncertainty from your cost planning.
LTL (Less than Truck Load) means your cargo shares truck space with other shippers — you pay only for the space you use. FTL (Full Truck Load) means you hire the entire truck — faster, more secure, and often cheaper per tonne at high volumes.
Standard European pallets (EUR 120×80 cm) are typically limited to 1,000–1,500 kg in road transport. Heavy-load pallets can carry up to 2,000 kg depending on the carrier and vehicle type.
Yes. Refrigerated trucks (reefers) are available for temperature-sensitive bulk cargo. Cargosender works with specialist cold-chain carriers for +2°C to +8°C, -18°C frozen, and ambient-controlled loads.
Regular shippers can open a standing FCL booking agreement with a preferred shipping line, which often reduces rates by 15–25% vs. spot market bookings. Contact our freight team to discuss a regular sailing program.
Yes, but ADR certification is required for road transport of dangerous goods, and IMDG classification applies for sea. Additional documentation and specialist carriers are needed. Please contact us for a DG cargo quote.
Tell us your route, cargo details, and frequency — we'll send you a competitive rate within hours.