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Groupage, or less-than-truckload (LTL), is transport where your goods share the trailer with other companies and you pay only for the space you actually use. At OTSL we handle LTL from a single pallet, with consolidation through Poland and regular departures on the EU-UK lane.
When LTL makes sense
- You have from one pallet to a few, but not enough for a full trailer.
- Cost matters more to you than the fastest possible transit.
- You ship smaller batches to the same destination regularly.
How do we measure space?
The LTL price depends on the number of pallets, their dimensions, whether they can be stacked and their weight. The reference point is those roughly 13.6 loading metres of a standard trailer: your load takes a slice of it and you pay for that slice. Light but tall goods cannot be loaded over, so space is what counts. That is why we ask about dimensions and stackability. It lets us quote honestly, with no surprises on the invoice.
FTL, groupage or an express van
Groupage is one of three ways to ship. Before you choose, compare it with a full trailer and with an express van: each option wins in a different situation.
| Criterion | FTL (full trailer) | LTL (groupage) | Express van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit time | Short, direct route | Longest, consolidation and milk runs | Shortest for small batches, the van leaves right away |
| Relative cost | You pay for the whole vehicle, pays off for large batches | Lowest for small volumes, you pay for the space you use | Higher per pallet, you pay for a dedicated vehicle and pace |
| Handling | None | At least one transshipment at a consolidation depot | None |
| Best for | Large batches, cargo sensitive to handling, hard deadlines | One to a few pallets, flexible schedule | Urgent smaller shipments, samples, production line parts |
How we do it at OTSL
We consolidate shipments through Poland, including loads that do not start in Poland, for example a batch from the Czech Republic to the UK for a German forwarder. We run curtain-siders, extra-height mega trailers and platforms, and on the UK lane full customs and the Dunkirk-Dover crossing. Every order is run by one responsible contact, available 24/7. You know who really carries your goods, because one forwarder leads and controls every shipment.
See groupage and LTL, FTL road transport, the FTL or LTL comparison and the full list of services.
Step by step
- Defining cargo parameters. You provide the weight, dimensions, number of pallets and state whether the goods are stackable.
- Space calculation. We convert the required space into loading metres (LDM) and determine the transport rate.
- Collection and consolidation. Your goods are collected and taken to a hub in Kielce or Milton Keynes.
- Main transit. The shipment travels in a consolidation vehicle on routes between Poland, the UK or rest of Europe.
- Final delivery. After clearance and sorting, goods are delivered directly to the destination address.
Definitions
- LTL (Less Than Truckload): groupage transport where your goods share trailer space with shipments from other companies.
- LDM (Loading Meter): a standard unit measuring cargo space equal to one metre of trailer length across its full width.
- Consolidation: the process of combining smaller shipments from various senders into one joint transport load.
- Curtain-sider trailer: a standard freight trailer with sliding side curtains offering roughly 13.6 loading metres of space.
The OTSL role
At OTSL, we organise regular groupage departures and pallet transport using our facilities in Kielce and Milton Keynes. If you plan to ship smaller consignments, explore our Groupage (LTL) service. To choose the right transport solution for your business, read our article on FTL vs LTL transport.
