GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Sep 14, 2026
On-carriage
On-carriage is the movement of a shipment from the final transhipment point of the main carriage to the consignee - from the rail terminal, seaport or airport to the customer's door.
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Source: Frachtportal-News «ChinaâLaos-Bahn ĂŒberschreitet 90 Millionen Tonnen Gesamtfracht» (14.09.2026); GegenstĂŒck zum bestehenden Eintrag «Vorlauf» (60286)
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Definition & Explanation
On-carriage is the movement of a shipment from the final transhipment point of the main carriage to the consignee - from the rail terminal, seaport or airport to the customer's door. It is the counterpart to pre-carriage on the dispatch side and is normally performed by truck, or by rail or barge where a suitable connection exists. Although on-carriage covers only a small share of the total distance, it often decides whether the shipment arrives on time and at what cost: chassis and driver availability, terminal free time, delivery windows at the consignee and the return of the empty container all converge here. A forwarder's quotation must therefore state clearly whether on-carriage is included or whether the shipment is only carried as far as the terminal. Not to be confused with last-mile delivery in the parcel business, which follows different processes and cost structures.
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