Minimum LCL Shipment Volume
LCL starts from a minimum of 1 m³. A detailed guide to LCL billing rules, cost structure and LCL vs FCL selection.
LCL Basics
Understand LCL minimum volume, billing and use cases
Minimum Volume
LCL starts from a minimum of 1 m³; cargo under 1 m³ is billed as 1 m³. If weight exceeds 1 ton/m³ (heavy goods like steel/stone), billing is by actual gross tonnage.
Billing Standard
LCL is billed by "W/M" (weight or measurement, whichever is greater). Chargeable ton = MAX(gross tons, cubic meters). E.g. 2.5 CBM / 1.8 t → 2.5 chargeable tons; 1.2 CBM / 2.5 t → 2.5 chargeable tons.
LCL Sailing Schedule
Fixed weekly LCL sailings from Shanghai; daily loading for SE Asia/Japan/Korea and 1–3 weekly for Europe/America. Ships 3–5 business days after loading.
Cargo Suited to LCL
Samples, small orders (1–20 m³), e-commerce cargo (daily goods/clothing/appliances/parts/tools) and seasonal trial sales. Not suited: dangerous goods (separate declaration), over-long/over-heavy items (>3 t or >5 m) and temperature-controlled cargo.
LCL Cost Structure
| Cost Item | Billing Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Freight | Per chargeable ton (W/M) | Freight from origin to destination port |
| CFS Charge | Per chargeable ton | Loading/deconsolidation/tallying service fee |
| Customs Declaration Fee | Per shipment | Export declaration fee |
| DOC Fee | Per shipment | Bill of lading/swap/document handling |
| Destination CFS Charge | Per chargeable ton | Destination deconsolidation and distribution |
| ENS/AMS Filing Fee | Per shipment | EU ENS / US AMS security filing (if applicable) |
LCL vs FCL — How to Choose?
| Item | LCL | FCL |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable Volume | 1–15 m³ | 16 m³ and above |
| Per-shipment Cost | Cheaper for small volumes | Lower unit cost for large volumes |
| Loading Flexibility | Send and consolidate, fixed sailings | Self-scheduled loading, more flexible |
| Damage Risk | Multiple shipments, more transfers | One shipment per container, safer |
| Transit Time | May wait for consolidation, 1–2 weeks delay | Book and ship immediately |
