Logistics terms · Logistics terms

What does PTL / LTL (part truckload) mean in logistics?

Short answer

A shipment too small to fill a truck, moved together with other shippers’ cargo through a carrier’s network of branches and hubs, and priced per kilogram or per chargeable weight with minimum charges.

Indian PTL networks use hub-and-spoke linehaul with LR-based booking, often with To-Pay, Paid or TBB payment. Transit times are longer than FTL and handling is higher, but cost is lower for small loads. Ask our desk how this applies to your consignment.

Period: General definition. Data as of 29 Sep 2026. How we count

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The numbers behind this answer

Also called
PTL, LTL, less than truckload, part load
Category
Road
Related terms
FTL (full truckload), Hub-and-spoke, Chargeable weight, Consolidation

Sources

  1. SSL logistics glossary

Period: General definition. Data as of 29 Sep 2026.

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