If you plan a small freight shipment, and your goods cannot take up the space of one container, LCL shipping is what you need.
- Definition of LCL
- Cost of Shipping LCL
- Advantages of shipping LCL
- Is LCL Right for you?
Definition of LCL
LCL stands for less than a container load and describes sea shipping for cargo loads not large enough to fill a full 20ft or 40ft shipping container
Since LCL shipments fill less than a full 20ft or 40ft shipping container, these are grouped with other cargo. FCL and LCL are 2 main forms in sea freight shipping. As the names suggest, LCL means that the merchandise takes up less than entire space of a full container. FCL means having an entire container for yourself
Cost of Shipping LCL
The cost of an LCL shipment is calculated based on the actual volume or the space that the shipment occupies in a shared shipping container, which is usually at a minimum of 1 CBM. If the total volume of the load is less than the minimum, then the charges will be considered as 1 CBM. That being said, even if your goods take far less space than the minimal requirement, you will still be obligated to pay the cost for the minimum volume.
If ocean freight is calculated based on the actual volume, air freight charges either by the gross weight or the volume weight, whichever is higher. For example, a 0.8 CBM shipment with a gross weight of 50kg will have a volume weight of 160kg when shipped using Air express. If sent using LCL, the cost will be based on the ocean freight’s minimum of 1 CBM.
Advantages of shipping LCL
Save cost: You can ship your products by LCL as soon as they come off the production line without breaking your budget.
Truncated shipping times: It ensures that your customers get the product they need, when they need it. Also save on inventory and warehousing costs.
Flexible: Consolidation providers consolidate shipments from several customers to fill an entire container, and you will only pay for the space you use. You can choose a reliable freight forwarder if you need LCL service. TJ China freight is your optimal choice if you need China freight forwarding service.
Is LCL Right for you?
If you’re not sure which one to choose, LCL or LCL? Feel free to contact our expert forwarder team of TJ China freight. We’ll run you through making the best decision for your shipment.
