LCL Shipping: Less than Container Load
What is LCL?
Less than Container Load (LCL) refers to the transporting smaller ocean freight shipments that will not take up a full container. Another name given to the term is consolidated container.
Benefits of LCL
LCL (Less than Container Load) offers great flexibility for those who can't fill up a whole container making it a cost-effect method of transporting smaller shipments across the world. Another advantage is the ability to send your goods as soon as they're ready rather than having to wait for a container to be fully loaded.
How does LCL work?
There are six steps involved when LCL shipping:
You'll need to select which company to use to ship your Less than Container Load
The sea freight company will be collecting your good for the shipment
The shipment is sent to the port to go through customs
The items are loaded into a container. As this is LCL (Less than Container Load) you'll have to share the container with other shippers.
On arrival at the destination country, it'll undergo another process through customs before being released.
The shipped items are then delivered.
How much does LCL cost?
The cost of LCL depends on a few factors; the country your shipment is coming from and going to, the size of your load and how busy the shipping season is at the time but Logistically you can be sure that you’re paying the correct amount and getting the best rates on the market.