What is the Difference Between Freight and Shipping?

If you’re moving goods across the UK or internationally, you’ll often hear the terms freight and shipping used. While they’re closely related, there are important differences that impact cost, speed, and suitability. For businesses and individuals deciding on the best transport method – and the right container solution – it’s vital to understand these distinctions.

At S Jones Containers, we’ve been supplying shipping containers for hire, sale, and conversion for over 40 years. In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between freight and shipping, when to use each, and how the right container can support your logistics needs.

What is Freight?

Freight refers to the bulk transportation of goods, typically for commercial purposes. Traditionally, freight meant moving goods by sea in large shipping containers. Today, freight can also be transported by road (lorries and trains), air (cargo planes), and sea (container ships).

Key features of freight include:

Large Volumes – Freight is best for moving oversized or bulk goods.
Cost Efficiency – Sending goods in bulk often reduces the cost per item.
Eco-Friendly – Consolidating multiple consignments lowers emissions.
Warehousing – Freight shipments are often broken down at distribution hubs before being delivered to recipients.

Freight is usually slower than standard shipping, but it’s highly reliable and cost-effective for businesses moving large-scale consignments.

What is Shipping?

Shipping originally referred only to sea transport but now covers the movement of goods by land, air, or sea. Unlike freight, shipping often refers to smaller-scale deliveries – from individual parcels to medium-sized consignments.

Key features of shipping include:

Flexibility – Ideal for smaller or varied shipments.
Speed – Typically quicker, especially for air shipments, as goods bypass warehousing facilities.
Direct Delivery – Items are usually sent straight to the end recipient.
Convenience – Well-suited for SMEs, e-commerce businesses, and individuals.

Shipping can be less cost-effective than freight if moving bulk quantities, but it’s the go-to option for speed and convenience.

Freight vs Shipping: Key Differences

Both freight and shipping describe methods of transporting goods by land, air, or sea, but the differences lie in scale, cost, purpose, and delivery process.

Topic	Freight	Shipping
Transport Method	Large containers via lorries, rail freight, ships, or cargo planes	Smaller loads via vans, planes, or small containers
Scale & Volume	Bulk or oversized goods, often consolidated	Small-scale goods, direct to recipient
Purpose	Largely commercial	Commercial and personal use
Cost	Cost-effective for bulk	More expensive per item for bulk
Speed	Slower but reliable	Faster but at higher cost
Destination	Ideal for long distances to warehouses	Best for shorter distances and door-to-door delivery
Equipment	Heavy-duty cranes and handling equipment needed	Minimal equipment, though extra may add costs

In short:

Choose freight for large, heavy, or bulk shipments.
Choose shipping for smaller, flexible, or urgent deliveries.

Which Option is Right for You?

When deciding between freight and shipping, ask yourself:

What type of goods are you transporting?
- Bulk or oversized items → freight.
- Small or single consignments → shipping.
How quickly do you need delivery?
- Freight → slower but cost-effective.
- Shipping → faster but often more expensive.
Where are the goods going?
- Freight → ideal for long-distance bulk deliveries.
- Shipping → better for shorter routes and direct-to-door service.

Why Containers Matter in Freight and Shipping

Whether you choose freight or shipping, the right container solution is crucial. Containers:

Protect goods during transport, reducing risk of damage.
Ensure compliance with international shipping standards (CSC plates).
Provide flexibility – containers can be hired, purchased, or converted for specific needs.
Support sustainability – repurposed and converted containers extend life cycles and reduce waste.

At S Jones Containers, we offer:

Container hire – flexible short or long-term rental.
Container sales – new and used containers to purchase.
Container conversions – bespoke modifications for plant rooms, workshops, energy storage, and more.
Shipping container certification – CSC plates for international freight compliance.

Why Choose S Jones Containers?

With more than four decades in the UK container industry, S Jones is trusted nationwide by businesses across sectors. Whether you’re moving goods internationally, storing equipment on-site, or converting a container for industrial use, our team provides:

Expert advice on container type and size.
Competitive options for hire, purchase, or conversion.
End-to-end support, including transport and logistics advice.

From Birmingham and the West Midlands to clients across the UK, we help businesses find reliable, cost-effective container solutions tailored to their needs.

Summary

Understanding the difference between freight and shipping is essential when choosing the right logistics solution.

Freight: bulk, slower, cost-effective, eco-friendly.
Shipping: smaller consignments, faster, more convenient.

Both require the right shipping containers, and that’s where S Jones Containers comes in.

Get in Touch

Looking for containers for freight or shipping?
At S Jones Containers, we supply high-quality containers for hire, sale, or conversion – and we’ll help you choose the best solution for your needs.

to discuss your requirements and find the right container for your budget.