What is a part load?
With a part load (groupage), your items travel in the same vehicle as other shipments heading the same way, and you only pay for your net volume in m³. Ideal for students, a few pieces of furniture, items for relatives or belongings sent after the main move.
How a part load works
With a part load – also called groupage or shared load – your goods share the load space with shipments from other customers travelling in the same direction. We collect your boxes and furniture from your address, consolidate the shipments and start the tour once the vehicle is sufficiently full. At the destination we deliver each shipment individually to the door. You only pay for the volume you actually use.
Who is a part load suitable for?
- Students moving to Germany, Austria or the Netherlands to study, taking books, clothes and a few pieces of furniture.
- Professionals who start out in furnished accommodation and only need personal belongings.
- Families with a second home moving individual items between Turkey and Europe.
- Returnees with a small household who have sold most of their furniture.
- Heirlooms and single items – a grandparent’s wardrobe, a piano, a rug or a box of family photos.
As a rule of thumb, a part load is worthwhile up to around 10–15 m³. Above that, a dedicated vehicle is often more economical, especially when the date is fixed.
Pros and cons at a glance
Advantages
- Much cheaper than an exclusive vehicle for small volumes.
- Door-to-door collection and delivery – no need to take anything to a warehouse.
- Professional packing and insurance, just like a full move.
- Customs clearance by our own team.
Disadvantages
- More flexible schedule: the departure date depends on the load.
- Several stops along the way, so longer transit than direct transport.
- Packing needs to be sturdier because goods are stacked with other shipments.
Packing correctly for groupage
Because your boxes travel with other customers’ shipments, sturdy packing is especially important. Use double-walled removal boxes and fill them completely so they do not collapse when stacked. Heavy items such as books go in small boxes, light items such as bedding in large ones. Every box gets your name, the delivery address and a running number. We wrap furniture in bubble wrap and stretch film and protect the edges. On request we take care of all the packing – more on our insured packing page.
Transit time and planning
A part load takes longer than direct transport, because the vehicle must first be full and then calls at several addresses. On frequently served routes between Turkey and Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Austria there are regular departures. For less frequently served destinations, waiting times can be longer. We give you a realistic time window when you book and let you know as soon as the tour is confirmed. Tip: if you have to move by a specific date, book early and pack the essentials for the first weeks in your luggage.
Customs for small shipments
Even small shipments need customs clearance when they cross the border between Turkey and the EU. You will need an inventory list, a copy of your passport and, depending on the case, proof of change of residence. Household goods may be imported free of duties under certain conditions; gifts and new goods are subject to different rules. Our customs team explains which option applies to your shipment.
What does a part load cost?
The price depends mainly on volume, route, packing service and access at the collection and delivery addresses. A minimum volume ensures that collection and delivery are viable. Use the m³ calculator to estimate your volume, send us a few photos on WhatsApp, and you will quickly receive a written quote.
Typical shipments we carry as part loads
- Starting university in Germany: books, clothes, bedding, a desk chair and a small shelf – about 2–3 m³ in total.
- Starting a job in the Netherlands: personal belongings, kitchen equipment and a bicycle – around 4–6 m³.
- Trousseau (çeyiz) for a wedding: textiles, porcelain, household goods and decorations sent from Turkey to family in Europe.
- Heirlooms from Turkey: a chest, a rug or an antique wardrobe travelling safely packed to Europe.
- Partial return: families keeping a home in Europe and taking some furniture to their summer house in Turkey.
Flexible collection and delivery
We collect your shipment directly from your home. If your boxes are already packed, collection often takes only half an hour. On request we dismantle and pack furniture on site. For delivery we agree a date when you or an authorised person will be at home. If your new home is not ready yet, the shipment can be stored with our sister brand FlexiDepo in Istanbul.
Insurance for small shipments too
A small shipment is no less valuable to you than a whole household. That is why part loads also travel with transport insurance, and cover can be increased for particularly valuable items. Proper packing and an accurate inventory list are important for insurance cover – we can take care of both. Photos of items before packing make claims easier if anything happens.
Part load or parcel service?
For one or two small parcels, an international courier may be enough. As soon as furniture, many boxes or fragile items are involved, parcel services reach their limits: weight and size restrictions, no furniture packing, repeated handling in sorting centres and separate customs paperwork for every parcel. With a part load your shipment is cleared as household goods with one inventory list, packed by professionals and delivered into your home. From around five boxes, a part load is often the better – and frequently cheaper – solution.
What does not belong in a part load
To get your shipment through customs without delay and avoid endangering other customers’ goods, clear rules apply. Not allowed: flammable or explosive substances such as gas bottles, paint, solvents, petrol and fireworks; large quantities of batteries; weapons and ammunition; drugs; perishable food; plants and soil; and live animals. Always carry cash, jewellery, important documents and data storage devices yourself. Import rules for foods such as olive oil, spices, tea or sweets are strict in both the EU and Turkey – often only small quantities for personal use are allowed, and some products are banned entirely. If in doubt, leave them out or ask us first.
The inventory list for a part load
The inventory list matters even more with a part load, because several shipments are cleared together. Number every box consecutively and describe the contents in simple words, for example “books and folders”, “winter clothes”, “plates and glasses” or “bedding and towels”. List furniture individually, such as “desk, dismantled, 3 parts”, and give electrical appliances their own line with brand and quantity. Avoid catch-all terms like “miscellaneous” or “personal items”, which often lead to questions during inspections. We provide a template and check the finished list before collection. Numbers are matched to boxes at collection and again at delivery, so you can see at a glance that everything has arrived.
Part loads within Europe
Besides the route between Turkey and Europe, we also carry part loads between European countries – for example from Germany to the Netherlands or from Austria to Belgium – when the route fits our tours. Within the EU there is no customs clearance, but an inventory list is still useful for checking everything quickly on delivery. Ask us about current tours; a small shipment can often travel along at a good price.
A further tip: photograph the contents of particularly valuable boxes before closing them and note the box number on the photo. These pictures help not only with any insurance question but also with unpacking, when you need to find certain things quickly in your new home. Mark boxes with things you need in the first days – bedding, towels, a pan, tools, chargers – with “open first”, so that on your first evening you find everything without opening every box at once.
Our promise for small shipments
Even if your shipment is just a few boxes, you get the same service as with a full move: a dedicated contact person, a written quote, careful packing, insurance cover and customs clearance by our own team. We keep you informed at every step so you always know where your shipment is – from collection through customs to the moment it arrives at your door.
Five steps to your part load
- Estimate your volume with the m³ calculator or send photos on WhatsApp.
- Receive a written quote with price and expected time window.
- Pack your boxes or book our packing service and prepare the inventory list.
- Collection from your address and customs clearance by our team.
- Delivery to your door and check against the list.
How it works
We agree the volume, schedule loading to the shipping calendar, pack and label every item and prepare a separate customs file for each shipment. Delivery to your door. Check your volume with the m³ calculator.
