# Minimum freight

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> Minimum freight is the floor charge a carrier applies to any shipment whose actual weight or volume falls below the threshold at which standard rates would cover basic costs.

Minimum freight is the floor charge a carrier applies to any shipment whose actual weight or volume falls below the threshold at which standard rates would cover basic costs. Instead of rating the consignment on its real tonnage or cubic measurement, the carrier substitutes this fixed minimum to recover handling, administrative, and transport expenses. The concept spans all modes: a per-bill-of-lading minimum in ocean freight, the minimum charge (M) in IATA air freight tariffs, and a small-shipment surcharge in road transport. Shippers moving low-volume consignments regularly encounter a substantially higher effective cost per kilogram as a result. Minimum freight is not the same as the base rate, which applies to all shipments regardless of size.

**Source:** [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frachtkosten](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frachtkosten)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Minimum freight |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 115 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frachtkosten |

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