LCL

It is an abbreviation for ‘Less than Container Load’. The quantity of freight which is less than that required for the application of a container load rate.Under an LCL cargo, where in a shipper does not have enough goods to accommodate in one full container, he books cargo with a consolidator to console his goods along with goods of other shippers.

This type of shipment is called LCL shipment. The said consolidator arranges a fully loaded container (FCL), and consoles the shipments of other shippers and deliver each shipment to final destination by separating each shipment at final destination.

If you’re a stakeholder of a retail, distribution or manufacturing company, you’re constantly keeping an eye on the costs and logistical expenditures related to shipping your goods. It’s important to consider all logistics options that are cost effective and still deliver products on a timely basis. Therefore, when your load is below the minimum threshold for transporting goods via a standard shipping container, you need to explore less-than-container load (LCL) shipping options.

  • The abbreviation LCL formerly applied to “less than (railway) car load
  • It is grouped with other consignments for the same destination in a container at a container freight station

How LCL Shipping Can Benefit Your Company

There are several advantages to shipping qualifying cargo under LCL methods:

  • When shipping a LCL load, you’ll be paying a much lower rate as compared to a full container. You’re only charged for the space you’re using based on volume as opposed to weight. The cargo is placed with the loads of other import/export companies that are also transporting smaller shipments.
  • You have the ability to pick up and drop off your cargo directly from the warehouse where the containers are loaded and unloaded. As such, you’re not relying on a middle man to ensure your cargo finds its way to its final destination.
  • he actual time in transit of your cargo will be the same as if you were shipping a full container. This is true whether you’re shipping domestically or internationally.