# unit load

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> A freight forwarder planning a shipment counts not in individual items but in unit loads: goods consolidated onto a common carrier – typically a pallet, cage, or container – handled and transported as a single mechanical unit.

A freight forwarder planning a shipment counts not in individual items but in unit loads: goods consolidated onto a common carrier – typically a pallet, cage, or container – handled and transported as a single mechanical unit. This is the baseline measure throughout freight practice: carriers quote per unit load, warehouse management systems track inventory at this level, and shipping documents reference unit load counts. Standardised carrier formats – such as ISO container dimensions or EUR-pallet footprints – enable automated handling and minimise damage from unnecessary repacking. A unit load should not be confused with a single shipping carton or, in customs terminology, an individual package (colli).

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_load](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_load)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | unit load |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 107 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_load |

## Related Pages

* [Tumaco](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/tumaco-port-cotco)

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