What Is Partial Freight (Groupage), and Who Is It For?
Partial freight — known internationally as "groupage" — is the practice of consolidating shipments from several exporters onto a single vehicle. For companies sending small or medium loads from Turkey to the UK on a regular basis, groupage offers a faster alternative to sea freight and a far more economical option than air cargo.
Typical features of partial freight:
- Accepts volumes starting from a single pallet (around 800–1,000 kg)
- Your cargo travels alongside other exporters' loads on the same vehicle
- You only pay for the m³ or loading-metre (ldm) you actually use
- Regular weekly departures deliver in 5–7 working days
The Turkey - UK Partial Freight Process
1. Share Your Shipment Details
Prepare the following details: number of cartons/pallets, gross and net weight, dimensions (W × L × H), cargo type (textiles, food, machinery, etc.), collection city in Turkey and delivery address in the UK.
2. Document Preparation
International road freight requires the following documents:
- Commercial invoice — shows cargo value and detail
- Packing list — package count, weight and contents
- CMR waybill — international road transport contract
- EORI numbers — for both shipper and consignee (mandatory for UK importer)
- Certificate of origin (where applicable) — for preferential duty treatment
3. Collection and Turkey Export Clearance
Your cargo is delivered to our Turkey warehouse or collected by our pickup service for an additional fee. Turkey export customs is completed and the truck departs.
4. European Transit and UK Arrival
The cargo moves through Europe under a T1 transit document and arrives at Dover or another UK port. With our own 24/7 customs clearance facility at Dover, your cargo is processed without delay.
5. UK Customs Clearance and Delivery
The import declaration is filed via CDS (Customs Declaration Service), duty and VAT are settled and the goods are released. Final UK delivery follows.
Cost Factors
Your partial freight rate is driven by several variables:
- Volume (m³) and weight (kg) — whichever is higher is charged
- Collection point — hub cities like Istanbul, Bursa and Izmir offer the best rates
- Delivery address — London and southern England tariffs are more favourable
- Cargo type — hazardous, cold-chain and high-value cargo carries supplementary tariffs
- Customs complexity — restricted or licensed goods attract additional handling fees
Practical Tips
- Stretch-wrap cargo on standard Euro pallets (80×120 cm) or UK pallets (100×120 cm) to reduce handling damage.
- If a single trailer carries cargo destined for multiple countries, mark UK-bound pallets clearly.
- Accurate HS codes on the commercial invoice keep duty calculations clean.
- For cargo valued above £1,000 consider topping up the standard CMR insurance with an all-risk policy.
Conclusion
Partial freight from Turkey to the UK is the natural choice for small and medium-volume exports. Regular weekly departures, shared costs and rapid customs clearance at Dover put your goods at the receiver's door in 5–7 working days. If you are planning your first partial shipment, the right paperwork and the right packing are the two most critical steps.