If you’ve ever needed to move goods across Australia or send a shipment overseas, you’ve probably come across the term “general freight” – but what does it actually mean? And more importantly, how do you find general freight solutions that work for your business needs?
This guide answers your questions and walks you through everything you need to know.
What is General Freight?
In simple terms, general freight refers to the transportation of standard goods that don’t require specialist handling. Think palletised stock, retail goods, packaged raw materials, furniture, machinery parts, and commercial equipment.
General freight is the backbone of Australian trade – moving billions of dollars’ worth of goods every year, both domestically and internationally. If your cargo isn’t temperature-sensitive, hazardous, or oversized, it almost certainly falls under the general freight category.
What is Considered General Freight?
A question we hear often is: what is considered general freight? As a rule of thumb, goods that are safely packaged, non-perishable, and don’t require special permits or handling conditions will qualify. Common examples include:
- Packaged retail goods and consumer products
- Raw materials and manufacturing components
- Furniture and homewares
- Commercial and industrial equipment
- Palletised stock of all kinds
What isn’t considered general freight? Dangerous goods, perishables, live animals, and out-of-gauge or oversized cargo typically fall into specialist categories and require different handling arrangements. If you’re unsure, the safest bet is to check with our team before booking.
Your General Freight Solutions: What Are the Options?
When it comes to general freight solutions, the right choice depends on the size of your shipment, your destination, and your timeline.
| Sea Freight | For larger international shipments, sea freight is usually the most cost-effective route. You can choose between Less Than Container Load (LCL) – where your goods share a container with others – or Full Container Load (FCL) if you have enough volume to fill a container on your own. Sea freight is ideal for non-urgent, high-volume cargo. |
| Air Freight | When speed matters, air freight gets your goods there fast. It comes at a higher cost, but for time-sensitive or high-value cargo, it’s often the right call. |
| Road and Rail | For domestic freight within Australia, road and rail are also an option. |
Tips for Affordable Freight Shipping
Finding affordable freight shipping doesn’t mean cutting corners – it’s about smart planning. Here’s how to keep your costs down:
Pack efficiently
Maximise your space to avoid paying for unused volume
Book ahead
Last-minute arrangements almost always attract higher rates
Bulk
Consolidate shipments where possible to take advantage of bulk pricing
Compare routes
The cheapest isn’t always the fastest, so weigh up cost against delivery time
Overall, the best thing you can do is work with a freight forwarder who has access to competitive carrier rates.The single biggest factor in affordable freight shipping is lead time. The earlier you engage your freight provider, the more flexibility they have to find you the best rate.
Why Work With a Freight Specialist?
Navigating freight – especially international freight – involves more than just booking a truck or a container. You’ll need to consider customs clearance, documentation, insurance, and port handling. Getting any of these wrong can cause costly delays.
That’s where a freight specialist like Jacanna comes in. We handle the complexity so you don’t have to, whether you’re sending a small LCL shipment or managing a full container load from a major Australian port.
Ready to Ship?
Whether you’re new to freight or looking for better general freight solutions for your business, our team is here to help. Get in touch today for a free quote and let’s get your goods moving.