general cargo

general cargo (countable and uncountable, plural general cargoes or general cargos)

1. (shipping) Goods that are stowed in a ship in individually counted units and recorded on different bills of lading, and distinct from bulk cargo or cargo in containers; now largely superseded by containerisation of goods.
   • 1945 January and February, T. F. Cameron, “Dock Working”, in Railway Magazine, page 11:

     So far as general cargo is concerned, the quay equipment has to be decided in the light of the kind of cargo to be dealt with. […] Almost all modern cranes are electrically operated and a quick-acting type of 30 cwt. capacity is suitable for general cargo, but not powerful enough to operate grabs for discharge of bulk cargoes.