Difference Between Freight and Cargo Delivery [Complete Guide] - 2022

The two terms, cargo and freight are different but have been used interchangeably for a long time. Although they do share some similarities, it is important to understand that the meaning they convey is very different. 

If you are someone who has just set foot in an import-export business, understanding the meaning and difference between the two becomes important. Here, we will try to clarify the difference between cargo and freight, and help you understand that there is a thin line between them so that the next time you converse with some professional regarding your shipment, you do not end up making a fool of yourself. 

Let's understand the step-by-step meaning of the two so that the meaning of both becomes clear to one and all.

What is Freight?

There may be times when you will stumble across the question, " What is freight ?" Let's have a deeper understanding of the word. Freight refers to the goods that are transported by train or truck. That is why we refer to vehicles as freight trucks and freight trains. The word freight may be used to denote product, payable amount, merchandise, or the total chargeable money. 

You may also refer to transported cargo as freight if you are referring to the goods as well as the money charged simultaneously.  Freight cargo shipping requires less amount of money as compared to cargo shipping. 

What is Cargo?

Now that you know what freight is, you must wonder what is a cargo, and here you will get a perfect idea about it. The word cargo is used to denote the goods that are transported via ship or plane. This is the reason why we have vehicles termed cargo planes and cargo ships. You can also term mail as cargo. The term cargo will not include the payment or any information about the money. You may use large-sized cargo containers for the transportation of cargo. 

Freight vs Cargo

There may be times you must have used the two terms freight and cargo in place of one another. But do you know there is a world of difference between the two? The two terms, however, used interchangeably, have some important differences between them that make them different, and hence, you should never use these terms interchangeably. 

Let's understand the difference between freight vs cargo and get a deeper knowledge about the two terms. One of the major difference between cargo and freight is that the freight term includes fees or money charged by the carrier while cargo does not include any kind of fees. Cargo only refers to the goods transported. 

Another important difference between cargo and freight is that when using the term freight, we often refer to small vehicles such as trucks, while cargo would refer to larger vehicles such as ships or planes. 

Freight

Definition: When you use the term freight, you may refer to money that may be levied by the transporter. Freight also refers to the goods transported by smaller vehicles.  

Relation: Freight relates to goods as well as charges of transportation.

Use of vehicle : Freight involves using small vehicles such as trains and truck

Scope : You cannot consider freight as a mail.

Cargo

Definition: When you use the term cargo, you refer to the materials transferred via large vehicles such as ships and planes. 

Relation: Cargo only refers to the goods to be transported via large shipments. 

Use of vehicle : Cargo involves large vehicles such as ships and planes 

Scope : Cargo can be considered as mail. 

As you must have understood the basic difference between freight and cargo, here are some other points of difference that may help you get a better understanding.

1. The charges levied over freight will be comparatively less than the charges levied on cargo. 
2. In freight, you include the goods to be transported through small vehicles while cargo refers to bulky transport through large vehicles. 
3. Goods transferred through the mail are not included in the freight. 
4. When you talk about freight, you may include the charges of transportation and other expenses. When you talk about cargo, you only talk about the goods to be transported. 

Conclusion

Going through the article would have cleared your mind and you must have understood the basic difference between freight and cargo. Even if there are situations in which these two words are used interchangeably and are often mistaken with one another, you need to have a solid knowledge of the meaning that each of them carries in order to have a better and more distinct comprehension of the two. 

Freight is transportation through small vehicles while cargo is transported through large vehicles. Other differences may include the involvement of money and mail. There are apps and websites that can help you with freight forwarding services such as SOBEL Network Shipping Co. Inc.