Full truckload (FTL) freight means a whole trailer is dedicated to your cargo, which travels without transhipment from the loading point to the consignee's door. Royan Logistic, headquartered in Tehran, Iran, plans FTL trucking from origins such as Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, Mashhad or Bandar Abbas to Turkey and Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Russia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, in one truck and on your schedule.
What we handle on a full truckload
With a dedicated trailer, your loading date and delivery expectation sit at the centre of the plan. We run an FTL shipment in these steps:
- Understand the cargo and target: product, packaging, pallet count, dimensions, weight, temperature needs and the consignee's delivery expectation.
- Choose the trailer: will weight or volume run out first, is the cargo stackable, is temperature control needed? We choose between curtainsider, reefer, mega or special trailers on that basis. Trailer types are summarised on our road freight page.
- Plan route and border crossing: exit borders such as Bazargan, Sarakhs, Astara or Haji Omaran, transit countries, ferry links, border congestion and season. Conditions on the shipping date are confirmed at planning.
- Book the loading slot: arrival time, ramp, loading equipment and load plan agreed with the shipper. After loading the trailer is sealed and the cargo and sealed doors are photographed.
- Match the documents: invoice, packing list with HS codes, export declaration, CMR and, depending on the route, TIR carnet or transit documents are checked before departure.
- Follow the journey: loading, border exit, transit and estimated delivery appear on your tracking link; unloading is coordinated with the consignee.
The definition, benefits and capacity logic of FTL are explained in what is full truckload (FTL); this page focuses on how we plan full truckloads.
When a full truck is the right choice
A dedicated trailer looks more expensive in total, but as cargo grows the cost per pallet falls and transhipment risk disappears. We give FTL priority when:
- The cargo uses more than half of the trailer, or most of its weight capacity, as with bagged polymers, cement, tiles or steel.
- The delivery date is fixed, for example tied to a production line, site or store opening.
- The goods are fragile, high value or should not share space with other cargo.
- Temperature control is needed; one product and one set point reduce risk.
- The cargo is non-stackable and would take most of the floor even as groupage.
- The lane is long with many borders; one truck and one document set keep things simple.
Full truck versus groupage
| Question | Full truck | Groupage |
|---|---|---|
| Who sets the loading date? | You | The consolidation schedule |
| How often is the cargo handled? | Only at loading and unloading | Possibly at consolidation and distribution hubs |
| Predictability of delivery | Higher | Depends on consolidation and distribution |
| Document dependency | Only your documents | Other shippers' papers can delay the truck |
| Temperature-controlled and sensitive cargo | Fully suitable | Limited |
| Pricing basis | Per truck | Space, volume or weight share |
Near the threshold we price both options. For smaller lots see groupage (LTL).
Main FTL lanes from Iran
- Turkey and Europe: via Bazargan–Gürbulak, Razi–Kapıköy or Sero–Esendere into Turkey, and on through Turkey transit to Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Germany, Italy and other European countries under TIR carnet and CMR. See Iran–Turkey road freight and road freight to Europe.
- Central Asia: via Sarakhs and Lotfabad into Turkmenistan, then Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. On these multi-border lanes a full truck keeps documents and tracking simplest. See Central Asia freight.
- Caucasus and Russia: Azerbaijan via Astara and Bileh Savar, Nakhchivan via Jolfa, Armenia via Norduz–Agarak, and Russia through Azerbaijan on the road leg of the North–South Corridor. See Caucasus freight and Russia freight.
- Iraq: the Kurdistan Region via Haji Omaran, Bashmaq and Parviz Khan; central and southern Iraq via Mehran and Shalamcheh. See Iraq freight.
- Afghanistan and Pakistan: via Dogharoun and Milak to Afghanistan, and via Mirjaveh–Taftan to Pakistan.
Transit times are approximate and vary with the route, border congestion and season; for example, a full truck from Tehran to Istanbul usually takes about 5–7 days. Every quote includes an estimated window based on conditions at the shipping date.
Planning long multi-border lanes
On lanes such as Europe and Central Asia, preparation before loading day makes the difference. We add the following to the plan:
- Checking transit permits and driver visa requirements for the shipping date.
- Building ferry connections and possible port waiting into the schedule where a ferry is used.
- Setting an alternative border or corridor for winter mountain passes and border congestion.
- Agreeing early who handles each customs step at destination, the consignee or their agent.
With FTL, waiting costs fall directly on you, so this planning pays back to you.
Preparing for loading
- Loading area, forklift or ramp and staff ready when the truck arrives.
- Heavy pallets arranged so they can be spread evenly; axle weights are checked at borders.
- Cargo packed so it can be secured with straps, edge protectors or blocking.
- Packing list quantities and weights matching what goes into the truck.
- For reefer loads, goods pre-cooled to the required temperature.
Documents checklist
- Commercial invoice and packing list with HS codes
- Export customs declaration in Iran
- CMR consignment note
- TIR carnet or transit declaration, depending on the route
- Certificate of origin
- Conformity, phytosanitary, veterinary or health certificates where required
For CMR and the TIR carnet see CMR and the TIR carnet. Document, payment and customs requirements are reviewed per shipment against current rules. As CMR carrier liability may not cover the full value of the goods, separate cargo insurance is worth considering.
What drives the price
FTL is priced per truck; the route and number of transit countries, trailer type, ferry and toll costs, season, backhaul availability and waiting time at loading, at the border and at unloading shape the quote. We quote on conditions at the shipping date, with the scope clearly written.
Typical full truckloads from Iran
Full trucks are most often chosen by exporters shipping large lots: bagged polymers and petrochemicals, building materials such as cement, tiles and stone, steel products, dried fruit and pistachios, dates, fresh produce and dairy in reefers, and carpets. Companies sending machinery to their plants and buyers who need goods in the warehouse on a fixed date also prefer a dedicated truck.
Why Royan Logistic
- Planning first: no truck is proposed before we understand the cargo and delivery expectation.
- Multimodal view: road, sea, rail and combined options assessed together.
- Tracking link: stages, location, estimated delivery and shared documents in one place.
- One folder: CMR, invoice, packing list and loading photos kept together.
- Five languages: Persian, English, Russian, Turkish and Chinese.
What we need for an FTL quote
Pickup and delivery addresses, cargo type, packaging, number of pieces or pallets, dimensions, total weight, target loading date, preferred trailer type if known, and any temperature or special handling needs. You receive a tracking code (for example RYN-…) on submission, and our team follows up to agree the trailer, route and loading day.
Frequently asked questions
How much cargo do I need for a full truck?
There is no fixed minimum. A dedicated truck usually makes sense when cargo uses more than half of the trailer, is heavy, or has a critical delivery date. Near the threshold we price both FTL and groupage.
How many pallets and tonnes does a standard truck take?
A 13.6 m standard trailer takes around 33 euro pallets (120 × 80 cm) in one layer, with a payload typically around 24 tonnes. Heavy goods such as polymers, cement or steel may reach the weight limit before the floor is full.
Do I choose the loading date?
Yes. With FTL the trailer is dedicated to you, so loading follows your schedule. Truck availability tightens in peak season, so sharing the target date early helps.
How long does a full truck from Iran take?
It depends on the corridor, border congestion and season. As an approximate example, Tehran to Istanbul usually takes about 5–7 days; for European and Central Asian destinations we give an estimated window in the quote based on conditions at the shipping date.
Can a full truck make several pickups or drops?
Yes, additional loading or unloading points can be planned. Loading order follows the drop sequence and documents are prepared per stop. Extra stops affect time and cost, so please mention them when requesting a quote.
