The cheapest cargo service in India is the right mode on the right lane
PTL or FTL, trunk lane or last mile, pallets or loose cartons — cargo pricing turns on a few decisions. Cargo+ quotes them lane by lane so your B2B and heavy shipments move at the lowest rate, with ePOD and one reconciliation.
Two ways to price a truck
PTL — part truckload
You pay per kg of chargeable weight on a lane, sharing the truck with other shippers. Right from about 20 kg up to a few tonnes, or whenever the shipment does not justify a dedicated vehicle.
- Priced per kg, with a minimum chargeable weight
- Transit 2–7 days depending on lane
- Best for cartons, replenishment, distributor orders
FTL — full truckload
You pay for the whole vehicle on a lane, whatever you load. Cheaper per kg than PTL once you can fill most of a truck, and faster because there is no hub consolidation.
- Priced per truck by size and lane
- Direct, so transit is shortest
- Best for 5+ tonnes or time-critical bulk
Six things that decide what cargo costs
Get these right before comparing transporters; they move the bill more than the headline per-kg rate.
Chargeable weight
Cargo is billed on the higher of actual and volumetric weight. For surface cargo the divisor is lower than parcel courier (commonly L×W×H in cm ÷ 4,000 or by cubic feet), so light, bulky goods are the first thing to optimise.
Lane and distance
Metro-to-metro trunk lanes with return loads are cheapest per kg. Lanes into smaller towns, hills and the North-East cost more because vehicles return empty.
ODA and last mile
Out-of-delivery-area surcharges apply beyond the transporter's branch network. Delivery to a distributor on the highway is cheaper than to a shop in a crowded market.
Loading, unloading and appointments
Labour at either end, waiting time at a warehouse with delivery slots, and floor-level versus dock unloading all appear on the bill if not agreed up front.
Packaging and handling
Palletised, shrink-wrapped cargo moves faster and claims less. Loose cartons attract handling charges and damage.
Documentation
E-way bill for consignments above the threshold, correct invoice and HSN details, and ePOD on delivery keep goods moving and keep your GST input clean.
Lane rates, not a phone call
- Lane-by-lane rates across transporters, so each consignment goes to the cheapest suitable one
- PTL and FTL quoted side by side, so you switch modes when the truck fills
- Chargeable weight calculated at booking, with dimensions captured to contest re-weighs
- Appointment delivery, dock or floor unloading and ePOD included in the quote, not the invoice
- Parcel and cargo in one dashboard with one reconciliation and no platform fee
Parcel or cargo? A quick rule
Under about 20 kg to one address, ship as a parcel and compare couriers on the cheapest courier service. Above that, or for many cartons to one consignee, book PTL. Above roughly 5 tonnes or when a day matters, price FTL. See courier charges per kg for where parcel slabs stop making sense.
Cargo charges in India: common questions
Per kg, FTL on a trunk lane is cheapest if you can fill a truck; otherwise PTL on a lane where the transporter has return loads. No single transporter is cheapest everywhere, so lane-by-lane rates beat a single contract. Cargo+ on RouteOneX quotes the lane and mode that costs least for each consignment.
PTL is priced per kg of chargeable weight by lane, with a minimum weight and surcharges for ODA, loading and fuel. Rates vary widely by lane and volume, which is why Cargo+ gives you lane rates on your own rate card rather than a public tariff.
When a consignment goes to one address and weighs more than roughly 20–30 kg, or has many cartons. Cargo per kg is far lower than parcel slabs at that size, and handling is built for pallets and cartons.
Yes. Appointment deliveries, dock and floor unloading, and electronic proof of delivery are part of the service, and everything reconciles in the same dashboard as your parcel shipments.
No. As with parcel shipping on RouteOneX, there is no platform or setup fee. You get lane rates on a custom rate card and pay for what you ship.
Guides on shipping costs
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