At a Glance
- Sensible up to
- approx. 15 m3 of loading volume
- Additional transit time vs FCL
- 2–7 days
- Charging basis
- m3 or tonne (whichever is higher)
How does LCL work?
At the port of departure, consignments from various shippers are brought together at a consolidation warehouse (CFS – container freight station) and loaded into a container. At the port of destination the container is opened at the CFS, deconsolidated and the individual consignments forwarded to their consignees. This process adds 2–7 days compared with FCL.
LCL vs FCL: when to use which
LCL: cheaper below around 15 m3 of loading volume; more handling, longer transit times. FCL: more economical from around 15–20 m3, more direct, less risk of damage. Anyone importing high volumes regularly usually benefits from FCL. For occasional, smaller imports, LCL is more flexible.
LCL costs
LCL costs are made up of: the freight charge (per m3 or tonne), CFS fees at the port of departure and destination, documentation fees and, where applicable, waiting time. Important: LCL is always charged on the higher of weight and volumetric weight (1 m3 = 1,000 kg).
