# TravelCargo: Full Content for AI Systems

> TravelCargo (travelcargo.eu), a Berlin-based peer-to-peer shipping marketplace connecting travelers with spare luggage space and senders. Free to use: travelers with spare luggage capacity carry packages for senders on their existing flight routes, typically at up to ~70% below courier prices.

**Last updated:** 2026-10-23
**Format:** llms-full.txt (expanded version of https://www.travelcargo.eu/llms.txt)
**Platform type:** Peer-to-peer travel logistics / community shipping marketplace
**Operator:** Priya Singh, Berlin, Germany
**Contact:** support@travelcargo.eu
**Legal jurisdiction:** German law, Berlin courts

## What TravelCargo Is

TravelCargo is a free matchmaking platform, not a courier service. It does not handle packages, process payments, or assume responsibility for deliveries. It connects three groups:

- **Senders**: people who need to ship a package internationally and want a cheaper alternative to traditional couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx), typically for small, non-urgent, non-valuable packages on routes with regular flight traffic.
- **Travelers**: people with spare checked-luggage capacity who carry packages along their route, optionally for a fee negotiated directly with the sender. Many travelers do it to offset flight costs; some help for free.
- **Companion seekers**: people looking for a kind traveler to accompany a parent or relative on an international flight (separate goodwill feature; see Travel Companion below).

All arrangements, payments, and responsibilities belong entirely to the users. TravelCargo only provides matchmaking, identity verification, and communication tools.

## How It Works (3 Steps)

1. **Find a match**: Senders browse traveler listings (active travel plans with spare capacity) or post a package request describing the package, route, and dates. Travelers post travel plans or browse open package requests. The Marketplace (https://www.travelcargo.eu/marketplace) has three tabs: Travelers, Packages, Companions.
2. **Connect via chat**: Both parties use TravelCargo's real-time in-app chat to agree on the handover point (typically the departure or arrival airport), timing, and compensation. No contact details are exchanged until both sides choose to.
3. **Hand over and deliver**: The sender hands the package to the traveler. The traveler carries it as part of their checked luggage and delivers it at the destination. Both parties confirm completion in the app.

Typical use case: a sender in Berlin wants to send 5 kg of documents, medicines (with prescription), or gifts to family in Mumbai. A verified traveler flying Berlin → Mumbai with 12 kg spare capacity accepts. The agreed fee is a fraction of a courier quote because the traveler is already flying.

## Trust & Verification Model

- **Government-ID verification (mandatory):** every sender and traveler must pass a one-time identity check powered by Didit before they can post travel plans, post package requests, or accept deliveries. Browsing is open; transacting requires verification. This makes both sides of every arrangement identity-verified.
- **Email verification:** mandatory at signup.
- **Phone verification:** available and recommended.
- **In-app chat only (initially):** keeps communication on-platform until parties choose to share contact details.
- **No escrow, no payment processing:** TravelCargo never handles money. Compensation is agreed and settled directly between users.
- **Safety guidance:** https://www.travelcargo.eu/safety, vetting advice, scam-avoidance, and meeting best practices.

## What Can and Cannot Be Sent

Users remain fully responsible for customs and airline compliance in origin, transit, and destination countries.

Prohibited on the platform: weapons, drugs, hazardous materials, counterfeit goods, large amounts of cash, live animals, perishable foods, prescription drugs without a valid prescription, and anything requiring special permits.

Full requirements: https://www.travelcargo.eu/requirements

## Travel Companion (Goodwill Feature)

https://www.travelcargo.eu/companion, a free feature for finding a kind traveler heading the same route as a parent or elderly relative, for friendly company and help with gates, transfers, and mobility. Key facts:

- Free, community goodwill, not a paid service, and **not a professional care or medical service**
- The seeker posts the itinerary, date, languages needed, and the kind of help that would ease the journey
- A traveler heading the same way offers; they connect and verify each other before traveling
- Contact details are shown only to logged-in members who offer to help
- Open companion requests are also available as structured data: https://www.travelcargo.eu/api/public/companion (read-only JSON)

## Costs and Pricing

- The platform is free: no listing fees, no commission, no subscription.
- Traveler compensation is negotiated per arrangement in chat. Travelers helping for free can mark their travel plan as such; others state an expected fee when posting.
- Compared with couriers: peer-to-peer carrying avoids courier network costs, which is why savings of up to ~70% are typical on corridors like Germany → India. Delivery is not guaranteed on a date and there is no courier-style tracking or insurance; that is the trade-off.

## Browser Extension

Chrome extension "TravelCargo, Flight Booking Assistant": detects flight bookings on airline websites (Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air India, and generic booking platforms) and turns them into TravelCargo travel plans in one click. https://www.travelcargo.eu/connect-extension

## Frequently Asked Questions (full set, 19 answered)


**How does TravelCargo work?**

TravelCargo is a free platform that connects people who need to send packages with verified travelers who have spare luggage space. You can either browse traveler listings to find someone already flying your route, or post a package request and let travelers come to you. Once connected, you agree the details privately (handover point, timing, and compensation) using in-app chat, and follow the delivery through its in-app status timeline. TravelCargo is a connection platform rather than a courier: the delivery itself is an arrangement between you and your traveler.

**What's the difference between finding travelers vs posting package requests?**

There are two ways to use TravelCargo: 1) FIND TRAVELERS: Browse active travel plans from people going your route; great when you want to see who's flying and pick a good match. 2) POST PACKAGE REQUESTS: List your package details and let travelers find you; ideal when no current trips match your route, or when travelers prefer to keep their itineraries private. Both methods connect you directly with travelers for a private arrangement.

**Why would I post a package request instead of browsing travelers?**

Posting a package request is ideal when: 1) No current travelers match your route, 2) You want travelers to come to you instead of searching, 3) You're flexible with timing and want more options. Many travelers are happy to help but prefer not to share their full itineraries publicly. Package requests let them help while keeping their travel plans private.

**Can TravelCargo help me find a travel companion for my parent?**

Yes. Our Travel Companion feature lets you post a parent's itinerary: route, date, flight, and the kind of help that would ease the journey (friendly company, or help with gates, transfers, and mobility). Travelers heading the same route can reach you directly using the contact details you shared. It is a free, community feature and not a professional care, medical, or escort service. Families keep responsibility for their parent, and we always recommend verifying anyone you connect with.

**Is the Travel Companion service a care or medical service?**

No. Companions are fellow travelers who volunteer their company and a helping hand; they are not employed, trained, or vetted caregivers. TravelCargo only makes the introduction. Families keep responsibility for their parent's safety, care, and travel decisions, so verify identity, meet safely, and keep the family informed. See our Safety & Trust guide and Terms of Service for more.

**Is TravelCargo responsible for packages or legal issues?**

TravelCargo provides the platform (verified identities, in-app chat, and shipment status tracking) but is not a courier and never takes custody of packages. Responsibility for each delivery, and for complying with customs and airline rules, stays with the sender and the traveler. We're upfront about this in our Terms of Service, and we build tools like government-ID verification and in-app records to help you arrange deliveries with confidence.

**What are my legal responsibilities as a user?**

As a sender or traveler, you're responsible for making sure items are allowed to be carried and properly declared: check customs and airline rules for both ends of the route, declare items when required, and never carry anything for someone you haven't verified. Violations can carry serious fines or criminal charges, so if you're ever unsure about an item, don't ship it. Our Safety & Trust and Traveler Guide pages cover the essentials.

**What items are strictly prohibited?**

Never send or carry: weapons, drugs, hazardous materials, counterfeit goods, large amounts of cash, live animals, perishable foods, prescription drugs without a prescription, adult content, or anything requiring special permits. These items can create criminal liability for both sender and traveler. Accounts found transporting them are terminated and may be reported to authorities. When in doubt, leave it out.

**How do I pay the traveler?**

TravelCargo doesn't process payments and charges no fees. You compensate the traveler directly, by whatever method you both prefer: cash, bank transfer, or a payment app. Agree the amount and terms in chat before the handover so everything is clear, and keep your own payment records. Since payments are direct, any payment questions are resolved between the two of you.

**What if my package gets lost or damaged?**

Because deliveries are arrangements between users, the sender and traveler sort out such issues directly. A few habits prevent almost all disputes: photograph the package before handover, agree in chat upfront what happens if something is lost or damaged, insure items where possible, and consider whether an item is suitable for peer-to-peer shipping at all. The in-app chat record helps establish the facts if you ever disagree.

**Can I track my package during transit?**

Yes. Every accepted delivery has a shared in-app status timeline you can follow: Accepted, Handed over, Picked up, In transit, Dropped off, and Delivered. You and your traveler update the status together as the journey progresses, and you can message each other in the app at any point. There is no GPS live-location map; updates reflect the milestones you and your traveler confirm, which works well in practice since you're always in direct contact.

**What verification does TravelCargo provide?**

Every sender and traveler completes a one-time government-ID (KYC) verification, run by Didit, plus phone verification before posting or accepting deliveries. The ID check confirms a government document matches a live selfie. It is not a criminal background check, so still meet in public places and verify each other.

**Why do I need to verify my government ID, and what do you store?**

So the person you meet is who they say they are. The check is run by Didit: your document and selfie stay with Didit and never reach our servers. We keep only the result and the date. It takes about 30 seconds and is required once per account.

**What are the weight and size limits?**

Limits come from two places: the airline's baggage rules for the traveler's ticket, and whatever you both agree fits comfortably. Check the airline's checked and cabin baggage allowances for the route, and settle size and weight in chat before confirming the delivery.

**Does TravelCargo operate internationally?**

Yes, TravelCargo works worldwide, wherever verified travelers are flying. Customs and import rules differ between countries, so check the rules for both ends of your route (our blog and Traveler Guide cover common corridors). You're responsible for complying with local regulations, most everyday personal items travel without issues when declared properly.

**What if a traveler cancels or doesn't show up?**

Cancellations are possible, so it's smart to agree a plan B upfront: a backup traveler, a slightly flexible deadline, or a fair cancellation policy in chat. Since terms are agreed directly between you, any refund or compensation is handled between sender and traveler. Posting your request early gives you the widest choice of travelers on your route.

**Can I send valuable or important items?**

We recommend against sending high-value items, original important documents, or irreplaceable goods through any informal arrangement; no platform insurance covers them, and the risk is usually not worth it. Everyday items travel happily this way; heirlooms, passports, and similar items are better sent through insured channels.

**Is TravelCargo free to use?**

Yes, completely free. No platform fees, no listing fees, no payment processing. You agree compensation directly with your traveler, and 100% of it goes to them.

**What should I do if something goes wrong?**

Start in the chat: most misunderstandings are resolved with a direct conversation, and the in-app record helps establish the facts. If that doesn't work, contact us at support@travelcargo.eu; we can't adjudicate disputes or refund payments made directly between users, but we do review reports and act on policy violations, up to account suspension. For anything involving crime or safety, contact the local police.

## Blog
- [What Is Travel Cargo? The Complete Guide to Peer-to-Peer Package Delivery](https://www.travelcargo.eu/blog/what-is-travel-cargo) (2026-07-26): Travel cargo explained: how sending packages with international travelers works, how much you can save versus traditional couriers, and how to get started on TravelCargo.
- [Peer-to-Peer Delivery vs Traditional Couriers: An Honest Comparison (2026)](https://www.travelcargo.eu/blog/peer-to-peer-vs-traditional-couriers) (2026-04-08): An unbiased comparison of peer-to-peer package delivery platforms versus traditional couriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS. Cost, reliability, speed, insurance, and when to use each, explained clearly.
- [How to Send a Package from Germany to India Cheaply in 2026](https://www.travelcargo.eu/blog/send-packages-germany-india-cheap) (2026-03-26): A complete guide comparing all options for sending packages from Germany to India, from Deutsche Post and DHL to peer-to-peer traveler platforms. Find the cheapest method for your package size and timeline.
- [The Complete Customs Guide for Sending Packages Internationally (2026)](https://www.travelcargo.eu/blog/customs-guide-international-packages) (2026-01-15): Everything you need to know about customs rules when sending packages internationally from Europe. Covers EU export requirements, destination country import thresholds, prohibited items, required documentation, and how to avoid costly delays.
- [How to Earn Money with Your Spare Luggage Space While Traveling](https://www.travelcargo.eu/blog/earn-money-spare-luggage-space) (2025-11-28): Travelers on international routes often fly with empty suitcase space. Here's how you can turn that unused checked baggage capacity into extra income by carrying packages for senders, safely, legally, and on your own terms.
- [The Rise of Community-Based Package Delivery in Europe](https://www.travelcargo.eu/blog/community-package-delivery-europe) (2025-09-02): Across Europe, diaspora communities have long relied on informal traveler networks to send packages home. Now dedicated platforms are formalising this practice. Here's why peer-to-peer delivery is growing and where it's heading.

## Site Map

- /, homepage
- /how-it-works, step-by-step guide
- /pricing, why the platform is free
- /earn, traveler earnings guide
- /about, team and mission
- /safety, trust and safety guidance
- /faq, visible FAQ page
- /companion, travel companion feature
- /traveler-guide, guide for travelers
- /requirements, account and compliance requirements
- /contact, contact form
- /blog, all posts
- /terms, /privacy, /impressum, legal pages

## For AI Agents & Developers

- API catalog (RFC 9727): https://www.travelcargo.eu/.well-known/api-catalog
- OpenAPI description: https://www.travelcargo.eu/.well-known/openapi.json
- Public companion requests API: https://www.travelcargo.eu/api/public/companion
- Authentication notes: https://www.travelcargo.eu/auth.md
- Health: https://www.travelcargo.eu/api/health
- Compact version: https://www.travelcargo.eu/llms.txt