What Is The Over Dimensional Cargo (odc)?

By Author: Karan Kapoor
Total Articles: 38
Comment this article

As far as what you are transporting is not proportional to the vehicle transporting it, you are dealing with an over dimensional cargo (odc). Don’t make the mistake of assuming that it is business as usual when it comes to odc cargo transportation. On the contrary, it has many limits and requires you to consider some factors that can be pretty overwhelming. That’s why it is essential to know what’s expected of you lest you go against the laid down rules and regulations. Fortunately, this article sheds light on this topic, making it worth your time. Check it out!
What is an over dimensional cargo?
As the name suggests, an over dimensional cargo (odc) is a cargo that’s not proportional to the loading deck of the vehicle it is being transported on. Whether you use a vehicle with a cargo deck of 20 inches or 40 inches, as long as the shipment is longer than it is, that’s a case of odc, no doubt. Besides oversized cargo, there are other names used to define it. They ...
... include heavy transport, high-altitude cargo, and off-gauge cargo.
Types of over dimensional cargo
What comes into your mind when odc is mentioned is most likely something quite big. Your guess is right, given the nature of this cargo. They are larger than the regular freight, explaining why not many project cargo freight forwarders have such services. These examples will give you a rough idea of what this transportation is usually about.

Construction materials ranging from steel rods to profiles
Automobiles
Tractors
Extensive pipes
Boats
Industrial machinery

Facts about over dimensional cargo
As far as odc cargo transportation is concerned, there are some facts that you need to know about. Check them out!

You will have to visit a local RTO office to get the permission needed to carry out this transportation
An odc wider or higher than 13 feet means going to the local RTO office
The process of gaining the permission takes between 3 and 5 days
If the odc is wider or higher than 13 to 15 feet, you will have to go to the ministry instead
For such permission, you may have to wait for up to 15 days for it to be granted
On the other hand, an odc that goes beyond 15 feet requires you to get permission from the Ministry of Road Transport Highways
Under such circumstances, the permission is usually granted after 30 days to 45 days
Don’t forget that you can’t get the odc permission if you don’t have an agent
Equally important, a local officer has the right to fine you despite having an odc permission

Conclusion
Clearly, over dimensional cargo is not the regular shipment transported on ordinary occasions. That’s why you can’t afford to treat it as if it is normal. Since it can be overwhelming, remember that project freight forwarding is always an option. The facts should guide you on what’s expected of you and the corresponding waiting times, which depends on the width and height of the cargo.