Preparing an LTL Road Freight Shipment: Pallets, LDM and CMR

If you do not have enough cargo to fill a whole truck, groupage or LTL (less than truckload) road freight is the most practical way to share the cost with other shippers. Because many customers’ goods travel on the same vehicle, however, your shipment has to be prepared to a proper standard. This guide explains how to prepare an LTL road shipment, covering pallets, stackability, loading meters (LDM), the CMR consignment note, labelling and insurance.

What is LTL (groupage) road freight?

In LTL road freight, your cargo travels on one vehicle together with other loads heading the same way. Typically the cargo is collected at a cross-dock warehouse, the truck departs once it is full, and the loads are distributed in the destination country. The upside is that you pay only for the space you use; the downside is that transit times can be longer and less predictable than with a full truckload (FTL).

LTL usually makes sense when:

Your shipment is a few pallets
You ship regularly but in small volumes
You have a few days of flexibility on the delivery date

If your cargo fills a large part of the truck, a full truckload may be cheaper and faster. See our road freight page to compare the options.

Pallet standards: Euro pallets and others

In LTL, palletised cargo is almost always expected. Pallets can be handled quickly and safely by forklift and sit neatly in the trailer.

Euro pallet (EPAL / EUR): 1200 × 800 mm, the most common standard in Europe. It fits the trailer width efficiently.
Industrial pallet: 1200 × 1000 mm, used for heavier and wider loads.
Non-standard pallets: Odd sizes can leave dead space in the trailer and may be charged for more space than they physically occupy.

When palletising:

Do not let cartons overhang the pallet edge; overhang increases both the risk of damage and the measured size.
Put heavy cartons at the bottom and lighter ones on top.
Secure the load with stretch film and, if needed, strapping; use corner boards.
Never use damaged or broken pallets.
For wooden pallets, make sure they carry the ISPM 15 mark if the destination requires it.

Stackability: can something go on top?

Stackability tells the carrier whether another pallet can be placed on top of yours, and it has a direct effect on price. A stackable load uses the trailer’s height, so it takes up less floor space. A non-stackable load wastes the space above it, which is why carriers usually charge more for it.

If your cargo is stackable, say so clearly when booking.
If it is not, put a “Do not stack” label on the pallet. Covering the top with a cone or sloped cap helps prevent accidental stacking.
Height matters too: tall pallets that cannot be stacked reduce how efficiently the trailer can be used.

What is LDM and how is it calculated?

LDM (loading meter) is the length of trailer floor your cargo occupies. A standard trailer is about 13.6 metres long and 2.4 metres wide, so one LDM means one metre of trailer length across its full width.

The commonly used formula is:

LDM = Length (m) × Width (m) ÷ 2.4

Examples:

One Euro pallet: 1.2 × 0.8 ÷ 2.4 = 0.4 LDM
One industrial pallet: 1.2 × 1.0 ÷ 2.4 = 0.5 LDM
Five non-stackable Euro pallets: about 2 LDM

LTL prices are generally based on whichever of LDM, weight or volume gives the higher chargeable value. The conversion ratio between LDM and weight varies from carrier to carrier, so ask about it when you request a quote. Use our freight calculator for a quick estimate and our load planner to see how your pallets will sit in the trailer.

CMR: the road consignment note

CMR is short for the Geneva convention that governs international road carriage, and the consignment note issued under it is commonly called “the CMR”. Turkey is a party to the convention.

The CMR note shows that the goods were handed to the carrier and sets out the terms of carriage. Under the convention, it is made out in three originals: one stays with the sender, one travels with the goods to the consignee, and one stays with the carrier. It typically includes:

Sender, consignee and carrier details
Place and date of loading, and place of delivery
Number of packages or pallets, type of packaging, description of goods and gross weight
Any special instructions and dangerous goods information

What to watch for:

If the carrier makes reservations about the packaging or the goods at loading, they are written on the CMR. Read them.
If there is visible damage on delivery, the consignee should note it on the CMR at the time of delivery.
For damage that is not apparent, written notice must be given quickly (the CMR allows 7 days, excluding Sundays and public holidays).

The CMR limits the carrier’s liability to 8.33 SDR (the IMF’s Special Drawing Right unit) per kilogram of gross weight. For valuable, lightweight goods, the carrier’s payout can therefore be far below the real value of the cargo.

The CMR is a transport document, not a customs document. For road exports from Turkey, the export declaration, a transit document (such as a TIR carnet or an NCTS transit declaration) and, where relevant, an A.TR movement certificate or certificate of origin are prepared separately.

Labelling

Because an LTL truck carries many shippers’ goods, labels make sure your pallets come off at the right stop. Each pallet should show:

Shipper and consignee names and the delivery address
Pallet number and total pallet count (e.g. “Pallet 2/4”)
Any reference or order number
Handling marks: “This way up”, “Fragile”, “Do not stack”
ADR-compliant labels and marks for dangerous goods

Labelling at least two sides of each pallet makes it easier to read in the warehouse and in the trailer.

Insurance: why it matters

LTL cargo is loaded and unloaded several times at cross-dock hubs, so the risk of handling damage is higher than with a full truckload. On top of that, as noted above, the carrier’s legal liability is limited, and in some situations the carrier may be relieved of liability altogether.

Cargo insurance covers your goods based on their value and lets you claim without having to prove the carrier was at fault. Cover and exclusions depend on the policy, so confirm the details with your insurance adviser.

Frequently asked questions

How is the price of an LTL shipment calculated?

LDM, weight and volume are usually considered together, and whichever gives the higher chargeable value is used. Stackability also has a direct effect on the price.

Can loose, non-palletised cargo go LTL?

Sometimes, but handling is harder and the risk of damage is higher. Most carriers require palletised and secured cargo.

How many LDM is one Euro pallet?

Placed without stacking, one Euro pallet takes up about 0.4 LDM.

Does the CMR replace insurance?

No. The CMR sets and limits the carrier’s liability. To protect the real value of your goods, separate cargo insurance is recommended.

Medius plans your LTL road shipments with you, from palletising advice and LDM calculations to documents and insurance. For example, we can review routes and delivery options for road freight to Germany together.