Legal Definitions - general cargo

General cargo refers to goods transported individually or in smaller, non-uniform units, rather than as a single, undifferentiated mass (like bulk cargo) or exclusively within standardized shipping containers designed for a specific, uniform commodity. It typically encompasses a wide variety of packaged items, such as boxes, crates, barrels, or items secured on pallets, that require individual handling during loading, transport, and unloading.

• Scenario: A freight forwarder arranges for the shipment of various consumer goods from an overseas factory to a department store chain. This shipment includes cartons of shoes, palletized boxes of kitchenware, and crated furniture pieces, all consolidated onto a single vessel.
  Explanation: These items are diverse, individually packaged, and require separate handling due to their varied sizes and forms, distinguishing them from bulk commodities like oil or grain. This variety and individual packaging make them general cargo.
• Scenario: A construction company orders a delivery of specialized equipment and materials for a new project. The delivery consists of several large, individually crated machinery components, bundles of steel pipes, and drums of industrial lubricants, all loaded onto a flatbed truck.
  Explanation: Each item, despite its size, is a distinct, individually handled unit, not a uniform bulk material. The varied nature and packaging of these goods classify them as general cargo.
• Scenario: A small business imports artisanal food products from different regions. A single shipment arrives containing wooden crates of specialty cheeses, jars of preserves packed in cardboard boxes, and sacks of unique spices, all requiring careful, individual handling.
  Explanation: These are distinct, packaged goods, not raw agricultural bulk commodities. Their varied packaging and need for individual attention during transport exemplify general cargo.