LCL Shipping: Less-than-Container Load Services
Introduction to LCL (Less-than-Container Load) Shipping
LCL shipping, or Less-than-Container Load services, allows businesses to ship their goods in a shared container alongside other shipments. This solution is ideal for companies whose cargo volume doesn’t require booking a full container. By consolidating shipments, LCL shipping helps reduce transportation costs while also improving delivery speed and efficiency.
Why Choose LCL Shipping
LCL (Less-than-Container Load) shipping enables you to adapt quickly to changing market demands and customer needs, especially when you need to ship smaller consignments more frequently. With this method, you can send your boxes and pallets based on your business requirements without waiting to fill an entire container.
By choosing LCL shipping services, you only pay for the container space your cargo occupies. Since the container is shared with other shipments, the overall transportation cost is divided, making it a cost-effective solution. Compared to air freight, LCL shipping is significantly more economical, allowing you to ship smaller volumes more frequently while also reducing storage and warehousing costs.
Difference Between LCL and FCL Shipping
When choosing a sea freight method, you typically have two main options: Less-than-Container Load (LCL) and Full-Container Load (FCL). Here’s a simple comparison to help you understand the key differences:
With FCL shipping, you book and pay for an entire container, and there’s only one shipper involved. This means no additional handling is required at the destination since your container is sealed immediately after loading and remains untouched until delivery. As a result, there’s minimal cargo handling, reducing risks during transit.
In contrast, LCL shipping involves sharing a container with other shippers. Smaller shipments that don’t justify booking a full container are consolidated into one container. This method allows you to ship based on your exact needs, ensuring that even smaller consignments can have a big impact on your business operations.
When Should You Use LCL Shipping
If you’re planning to ship small boxes or pallets that can fit into 20ft or 40ft containers but don’t have enough cargo to fill an entire container, LCL shipping is the perfect solution. This method works best for stackable goods, but we can also handle non-stackable boxes and pallets efficiently.
LCL shipping is an ideal choice for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may not have sufficient cargo to book a full container. It’s also highly suitable for large and mid-sized enterprises (LMEs) facing fluctuating market demands or those testing new markets.
Industries such as fashion and apparel, lifestyle products, automotive, technology, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) can benefit significantly from LCL shipping services.
How LCL Shipping Works
Our LCL (Less-than-Container Load) shipping services are specifically designed to simplify your logistics process, managing every step of your shipment from start to finish.
With Amaria Business Group, you can easily book your LCL shipment online. Simply access our LCL platform and enter your shipment details in just a few steps. Within 4 hours, you’ll receive an instant quote and booking confirmation. After that, you can either deliver your boxes or pallets directly to our warehouse, or we can collect them from your facility.
Your shipment is then consolidated with other cargo, loaded into a container at our freight station, and sealed for maximum security. After completing the customs clearance process, your cargo is shipped to its final destination. If you prefer, our customs experts can also handle clearance on your behalf.
Once the container reaches its destination, your goods are unloaded and either delivered directly to you or transferred to our warehouse for convenient pickup.
How Much Does LCL Shipping Cost
The cost of LCL (Less-than-Container Load) shipping depends on several factors, primarily the space your cargo occupies in the container, the weight of your shipment, and the shipping route. The volume is measured in cubic meters (CBM), while weight is calculated in kilograms (kg).
At Amaria Cargo, the minimum volume requirement is 1 CBM, while the maximum weight per package is 3,000 kg and the maximum volume per package is 29 CBM. For each booking, the overall limit is 20,000 kg and 60 CBM.
When you book your LCL shipment through our digital platform, you’ll have full visibility of rates, options, and delivery speed. Plus, you’ll receive an instant quote and booking confirmation within just 4 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you have an urgent question about LCL (Less-than-Container Load) shipping, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions section
For any additional inquiries, feel free to contact us — our team will be happy to assist you
The cost of LCL vs. FCL shipping entirely depends on the size and volume of your cargo.
If you’re planning to ship small boxes or palletized shipments, LCL (Less-than-Container Load) is usually the more cost-effective option.
However, if your cargo occupies most of the container space, choosing FCL (Full-Container Load) is generally more economical.
Wondering whether LCL (Less-than-Container Load) or FCL (Full-Container Load) is the better shipping option for your cargo?
Explore the differences, benefits, and key considerations of both shipping methods to choose the best solution based on your logistics needs.
For LCL (Less-than-Container Load) shipping, the maximum allowed for a single package is 3,000 kg and 29 CBM.
The overall booking limit is 20,000 kg and 60 CBM per shipment.
Yes, you can add export and import customs clearance services to your LCL (Less-than-Container Load) shipment bookings.
For your convenience, customs clearance can be easily added through the Maersk.com platform or via the Maersk mobile app when reserving your LCL shipment.
Yes, you can easily get an instant LCL (Less-than-Container Load) shipping quote and place your booking directly via the Maersk.com website or the Maersk mobile app.
Simply log in to our LCL booking portal or download the Maersk app to access real-time pricing and secure your reservation within minutes.
Yes, you can track your LCL (Less-than-Container Load) shipment easily through our LCL tracking page.
Stay updated on your shipment status and monitor every stage of the shipping process in real time.
In our LCL booking portal, you can easily use the online volume calculator to determine your shipment’s CBM (Cubic Meter) based on its height, weight, length, and width.
This helps you accurately estimate shipping costs and book your LCL shipment with confidence.
If your LCL (Less-than-Container Load) shipment exceeds the maximum limit — either 3,000 kg and 29 CBM per single package or the total booking limit of 20,000 kg and 60 CBM — please contact our LCL specialists for assistance and alternative shipping solutions.