There are many firms which transport all types of cargo, ranging from letters to houses to cargo containers. These firms like Parcelforce or FedEx which deliver fast and sometimes same day deliverly services. A good example of road cargo is supermarket stock, as these require deliveries every day to keep the shelves stacked with goods for sale. Retailers of all kinds rely upon delivery trucks, be they full size semi trucks or smaller delivery vans.

Freight is a term used to classify the transportation of cargo and is typically a commercial process. Items are usually organized into various shipment categories before they are transported. This is dependent on several factors:

The type of item being carried, i.e. a kettle could fit into the category 'household goods'.

How large the shipment is, both in terms of item size and quantity.

How long the item for delivery will be in transit.

Shipments are typically categorized as household goods, express, parcel, and freight shipments.

Furniture, art, or similar items are usually classified as “household goods” (HHG).

Very small business or personal items like envelopes are considered “overnight express” or “express letter” shipments. These shipments are rarely over a few pounds, and almost always travel in the carrier’s own packaging. Service levels are variable, depending on the shipper’s choice. Express shipments almost always travel some distance by air. An envelope may go USA coast to USA coast overnight or it may take several days, depending on the service options and prices chosen.

Larger items like small boxes are considered “parcel” or “ground” shipments. These shipments are rarely over 100 pounds, with no single piece of the shipment weighing more than about 70 pounds. Parcel shipments are always boxed, sometimes in the shipper’s packaging and sometimes in carrier-provided packaging. Service levels are again variable; but most “ground” shipments will move about 500-700 miles per day, going coast to coast in about four days depending on origin. Parcel shipments rarely travel by air, and typically move via road and rail. Parcels represent the majority of business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments.

Beyond HHG, express, and parcel shipments, movements are termed “freight shipments.”