← Dictionary

Cargo

What is Cargo?

Cargo, also known as freight, refers to goods or produce being transported from one place to another – by water, air or land. Originally, the term "cargo" referred to goods being loaded onboard a vessel. These days, however, cargo is used for all types of goods, including those carried by rail, van, truck, or intermodal container.

Though cargo means all goods onboard a transport vehicle, it does not include items such as personnel bags, goods in the storage, equipment or products to support the transport carried onboard. Cargo transport is mainly for commercial purpose for which an air waybill, bill of lading or other receipt is issued by the carrier.