What Cargo International does

Cargo International GmbH is a German digital freight forwarding platform founded in 2008 and headquartered in Villingen-Schwenningen. The company operates an online Spedition (freight forwarding) model, aggregating 20+ transport partners — including Emons Spedition, DHL Express, UPS, FedEx Express, DPD, and Cargo Europa — behind a single web interface. Its core product is the Versandrechner (shipping calculator), a cloud-based tool that generates instant fixed-price quotes across the carrier network, enables online booking, label printing, and shipment tracking. The platform supports parcel, pallet, oversized cargo (Sperrgut), express, direct freight (Direktfahrt), LTL groupage (Stückguttransport), courier, and full freight transport (road, rail, air, sea) services to destinations across Europe, the USA, China, and the UAE, with customs handling for non-EU shipments.

The company serves two primary customer segments: private customers shipping one-off parcels and bulky items internationally, and business customers shipping 10+ shipments per month who qualify for preferential tariffs and access to the Connect shipping software. Connect enables automated order import from online shops and ERP systems, bulk shipping label generation, and additional carrier interfaces at €9/month per interface. The myCargo portal provides self-service order management and tracking. Revenue is generated primarily through margins on negotiated carrier rates (transaction fees), supplemented by €9/month per-interface software subscriptions and optional transport insurance at 0.5% of declared value.

Cargo International is privately held by its three managing directors (Alessandro Mastrantonio, Ralf Wieland, Thorsten Heuser), with no external investors, no funding rounds, and no parent company disclosed. The firm operates with a small team (11–50 employees) and has built its presence organically over 16 years through SEO-driven website traffic, content marketing (country-specific shipping guides), and customer reviews (4.8/5 on Google). The technology stack is digital-first and API-driven but does not employ AI/ML capabilities in any disclosed dimension.

Name

Cargo International

Legal name

Cargo International GmbH

Website

https://cargointernational.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cargo International is a German digital freight forwarder that aggregates 20+ carriers into a single online platform for parcel, pallet, and international shipping, serving private customers and SMB businesses primarily across Europe and selected global destinations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Freight Forwarding / Multi-Carrier Shipping Aggregation

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Ocean Freight Brokerage (FCL/LCL) (TLADAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Customs & Regulatory Filing Documentation (Entry/Exit Summaries, Declarations, ENS/AMS/ACI) (TLACAHAE), International Freight Forwarding (Air/Ocean) for Personal Effects (HSAKACAD), Household Goods Moving & International Shipping (THACALAE), Export/Import Documentation Preparation (Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Shipper’s Letter of Instruction) (TLACAHAD)

Keywords

• Digital freight forwarding
• Multi-carrier shipping platform
• Parcel and pallet shipping
• International logistics services
• B2B shipping software

Headquarters

HQ city

Villingen-schwenningen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Freight Forwarding Fees: Cargo International acts as a digital freight forwarder, organizing transportation of parcels and cargo (pallet, oversized, freight) through a network of 20+ carrier partners. The company earns margins on the difference between negotiated bulk rates with carriers and prices charged to end customers. Services include pickup, customs handling (for non-EU shipments), and shipment tracking.
2. Premium Connect Software Subscriptions: The Connect shipping software is free for Cargo International bookings. Revenue is generated from optional premium interfaces to other shipping partners (9 EUR/month per interface). The software enables automated order import and label generation for high-volume shippers.
3. Transport Insurance: Optional cargo insurance up to 15,000 EUR per shipment for standard freight, with 0.5% premium charged on declared value. Direct shipments (direct routes) can be insured up to 100,000 EUR.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Cargo International is a digital freight forwarder and shipping aggregator that enables customers to compare rates from 20+ carrier partners (Emons, DHL Express, UPS, FedEx Express, DPD, Cargo Europa) through an online Versandrechner (shipping calculator). The company arranges parcel, pallet, oversized cargo, express, courier, and international freight shipments, handling pickup, customs, and tracking. Business customers with 10+ monthly shipments receive preferential tariffs and access to the Connect shipping software for automated order import and label generation.

Product overview

Cargo International is a digital freight forwarding platform (online Spedition) that aggregates multiple carriers and logistics partners into a single online interface. The core offering consists of the Versandrechner (shipping calculator) as the primary customer-facing tool, supported by a portfolio of shipping services including parcel (Paketversand), pallet (Paletteversand), oversized cargo (Sperrgutversand), express, direct freight (Direktfahrt), and courier services, alongside international freight options covering road, air, and sea transport to major global destinations. The platform's value proposition centers on price comparison across multiple carrier partners (Emons, DHL Express, UPS, FedEx Express, DPD, Cargo Europa), a free pickup service, digital label printing, and real-time shipment tracking. Business customers are served through the Connect add-on software for bulk order import and multi-carrier label generation, and the myCargo customer portal for order management. All services are bookable and manageable fully online through the platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• myCargo: Customer portal for managing orders, tracking shipments, and administrative functions.
• Connect
• Connect Schnittstellen

Products and services

• Versandrechner (Shipping Calculator) A digital shipping cost calculator that compares quotes from multiple carriers (Emons, DHL Express, UPS, FedEx Express, DPD, Cargo Europa) in real time, allowing customers to calculate fixed prices, select pickup dates, print shipping labels, and book shipments online within minutes.
• Paketversand (Parcel Shipping) Parcel shipping service for packages up to 31.5 kg, with included pickup, integrated tracking, and options for standard or express delivery through multiple carrier partners.
• Paletteversand (Pallet Shipping) Shipping service for palletized cargo including Euro pallets and custom pallets, supporting both LTL (less-than-truckload) and FTL (full truckload) shipments for business customers across partner carriers.
• Sperrgutversand (Oversized Cargo Shipping) Shipping service for non-standard, bulky, or oversized goods that cannot be packaged in standard boxes, including items up to 120 cm edge length, handled through partner carriers.
• Expressversand (Express Shipping) Priority shipping option with guaranteed next-day or short-lead-time delivery, available as an add-on across multiple carrier partners through the platform.
• Direktfahrt (Direct / Full Truckload Transport) Direct transport service providing exclusive use of a vehicle with no transfers or transshipments, available for full truckload (FTL) shipments requiring dedicated routing.
• Reifenversand (Tire Shipping) Specialized shipping service for tires up to 17 inches at maximum 20 kg; tires over 17 inches must be packaged as standard parcels.
• Stückguttransport (Less-than-Truckload / LTL Shipping) Consolidated groupage shipping service for mixed cargo loads that combine multiple smaller shipments on a single vehicle, offering cost efficiency for B2B shippers with national delivery in 2-3 business days and international in 3-5 business days.
• Kurierdienst (Courier Service) On-demand courier service offering overnight, same-day, and international courier deliveries with a range of vehicle types from vans to 40-ton trucks.
• Frachttransport (Freight Transport) Full-range freight transport services covering road, rail, air, and sea freight, with expert guidance on customs, logistics optimization, and transport insurance.
• Connect (Shipping Software) Shipping management software for business customers enabling order imports from online shops and ERP systems, bulk label generation, and connection to multiple carrier interfaces. Free for Cargo International bookings; additional carrier interfaces available for EUR 9/month each.
• myCargo (Customer Portal) Customer portal for managing orders, editing pending shipments, viewing order history, and tracking deliveries; access is included with free registration on the platform.
• Sendungsverfolgung (Shipment Tracking) Real-time digital tracking of shipment status across carrier networks, accessible via the website or the Versandrechner tool.
• Internationaler Versand (International Shipping) Cross-border shipping services to destinations including the USA, China, UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Denmark, and the UAE, with customs clearance support and dedicated international carrier options.
• Transportversicherung (Transport Insurance) Optional cargo insurance covering up to EUR 15,000 per shipment for standard freight at 0.5% premium of declared value, with direct shipments (Direktfahrt routes) insurable up to EUR 100,000.

Quantifiable outcome

• Saves time by providing multiple fixed-price quotes in minutes through the Versandrechner
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Emons SpeditioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmons Spedition is a key carrier partner providing freight forwarding and pallet shipping services. Cargo International acts as a digital sales channel, offering Emons' services alongside other carriers through its comparison platform. Emons handles physical pickup and delivery of freight shipments.
• DHL ExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDHL Express is featured as a carrier partner for international express and parcel shipments. Cargo International offers DHL Express services through its booking platform, enabling customers to compare DHL rates with other carriers.
• UPScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUPS is offered as a carrier option for parcel and express shipments through Cargo International's platform. The partnership enables price comparison between UPS and other carriers for customers booking through the Versandrechner.
• FedEx ExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFedEx Express services are available through Cargo International's booking platform for international express and freight shipments, allowing customers to compare FedEx rates alongside other carrier options.
• DPDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDPD is included as one of the carrier partners on Cargo International's platform, providing parcel delivery services across Europe through the comparison and booking interface.
• Cargo EuropaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCargo Europa serves as an additional carrier partner for freight forwarding services, complementing the main carrier network available on Cargo International's platform.
• 20+ Transport Partners (Carrier Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeyond the named carriers, Cargo International works with a network of over 20 transport partners including regional freight forwarders and specialized carriers for freight (LTL/FTL), courier, and international shipments. This network enables competitive rate negotiations and broad coverage across domestic and international routes.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Timocom: Established European road freight and logistics marketplace connecting shippers with hauliers. Broader incumbent in the European freight exchange space overlapping with Cargo International's pallet and LTL offerings.
• Flexport: Global digital freight forwarder offering ocean, air, trucking, and customs services via a software platform. Operates at broader scale with enterprise focus but competes in adjacent digital forwarding territory.
• Saloodo! (Deutsche Bahn): Digital freight platform launched by Deutsche Bahn offering road, rail, and parcel forwarding with carrier matching. Broader incumbent in European digital freight with similar aggregator functionality.
• Maersk Spot: Digital ocean freight product from Maersk offering instant online booking and fixed pricing. Adjacent incumbent demonstrating how large carriers are themselves moving into digital, transparent pricing territory.

Direct peers

• Parcel2Go: UK-headquartered parcel and pallet comparison marketplace aggregating multiple carrier rates. Operates a similar aggregator model with comparable product offerings and SMB target market.
• uShip: Online shipping marketplace connecting customers with carriers for large, bulky, and unique items including pallets, vehicles, and oversized cargo. Comparable aggregator model for non-standard shipments.
• Eurosender: European digital freight forwarding marketplace offering instant price comparison and booking across multiple carriers for parcels, pallets, and international shipments. Direct head-to-head competitor to Cargo International in the SMB and private customer segment.
• Packlink: Digital shipping comparison platform operating across Europe with multiple carrier integrations and discounted rates for parcel shipments. Competes with Cargo International in the same self-service aggregator model for SMB shippers.
• Pamyra: German-based digital freight comparison and booking platform offering multi-carrier rate comparison for parcel and pallet shipments. Direct competitor in the same German SMB market.

Emerging players

• Freightos: Digital freight marketplace focused primarily on international ocean and air freight forwarding with instant online quoting. Adjacent to Cargo International's international offering but specializes more heavily in ocean freight.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cargo.international.spedition
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cargo-international-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cargo International