Foreign-trade Glossary + Calculators
Cargo Type
General Cargo
Ordinary goods with no special transport restrictions, accepted on almost all channels with the best rates and transit times.
General Cargo refers to ordinary goods that contain no batteries, magnets, liquids/powders/pastes, brand-infringement risk or dangerous-goods properties, and are not subject to special country-level controls. It is accepted on virtually all air, sea, express and dedicated-line channels and is treated by carriers as the lowest-risk category, usually with the fewest surcharges, the widest routing and the fastest transit. Typical examples include cotton apparel, plastic household items, hardware and battery-free toys.
- 责任/费用边界：因不触发敏感货附加费、危险品申报或合规检测，普货报价最透明、争议最少。
- 常见坑：卖家常误把「内置纽扣电池的小商品」「带磁吸结构的产品」当普货申报，一旦被查验会被改判为敏感货甚至扣货退运；申报前务必核对产品是否含电、含磁、含液或属品牌货。
FAQ
- Is there a big freight gap between general and sensitive cargo?
- Yes—general cargo is usually meaningfully cheaper. Sensitive cargo often carries a sensitive-goods surcharge, is limited to specific channels or flights, and has fewer routing options, whereas general cargo gets the lowest base rate and widest access.
- How do I confirm my goods qualify as general cargo?
- Check each attribute: batteries, magnets, liquid/powder/paste form, branded trademarks, dangerous-goods nature, or destination-country controls. If any applies it is not general cargo—declare it honestly so your forwarder can match the right channel and avoid seizure on inspection.
Sources: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/ · https://www.maersk.com/