Every logistics chain exists to move something of value. Cargo is the goods carried by a vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or pipeline from one point to another.

The term covers manufactured products, raw materials, foodstuffs, and project equipment. Classification by physical characteristics—weight, volume, hazard class, temperature needs—determines packaging, mode selection, and handling methods. Legal responsibility for cargo shifts according to the terms of the contract of carriage.

Accurate cargo descriptions on shipping documents prevent delays and claims. Damage, shortage, or misdeclaration can trigger insurance disputes and regulatory penalties. From a single parcel to a full vessel load, cargo remains the central object of logistics activity.

• Goods transported by any mode
• Classified by physical and regulatory characteristics
• Subject to contracts of carriage and liability rules
• Core focus of logistics operations