LCLOcean Freight & Shipping

Less than Container Load

Definition: An ocean shipment mode where multiple shippers' smaller cargo consignments are consolidated into a shared container.

Detailed Freight Guide & Operational Context

Less than Container Load (LCL) is the standard ocean freight method for cargo consignments that do not have sufficient volume or weight to justify booking an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container.

A freight consolidator or NVOCC combines multiple shippers' goods at a Container Freight Station (CFS). Shippers only pay for the specific volume (CBM) or weight (metric ton) their cargo occupies, based on the 'Weight or Measurement' (W/M) rating rule.

While economical for small shipments (typically 1 to 14 CBM), LCL involves additional transit days due to consolidation at origin and customs deconsolidation at destination.

Real-World Example in Practice

An artisan exporter sending 4 CBM of ceramics from Lisbon to Singapore books LCL freight, sharing a 40ft container with five other European exporters.