Modes and equipment
FTL / LTL (full and part truckload)
FTL means one shipper hires a whole truck; LTL means the cargo shares a truck with other shippers' goods.
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On land routes the logic is the same as FCL and LCL at sea. With FTL the truck is dedicated to your cargo, goes directly from loading point to delivery point, and is priced per truck. With LTL you pay for the space or weight you use, and the truck may stop to load or deliver other consignments. A standard curtain-side trailer is about 13.6 m long and carries roughly 82 to 90 CBM, depending on the cargo. Within the GCC, trucks often move goods onward after sea arrival. Example: after a container is cleared in Dubai, a distributor sends eight pallets to a customer in Muscat by LTL, and a full load of building materials for Oman goes FTL in transit through the Hatta border, with typical road time of 1 to 3 days.
Questions
When should I choose FTL instead of LTL?
FTL suits large, urgent or fragile loads that should not be handled at stops. LTL is usually more economical for a few pallets.
Can a truck carry goods through the UAE to Oman without paying UAE duty?
Yes, under a transit declaration with a sealed truck and a deposit or guarantee. Duty and VAT are then paid in Oman.