Logistics terms · Logistics terms

What does LCL (less than container load) mean in logistics?

Short answer

Sea freight in which a shipper’s cargo shares a container with other shippers’ cargo, consolidated by a forwarder or NVOCC. It is charged per CBM or per tonne, whichever is higher, plus origin and destination charges.

LCL exports from India are consolidated at a CFS or ICD. It suits shipments too small for a full container but adds handling and time at both ends. Ask our desk how this applies to your consignment.

Period: General definition. Data as of 29 Sep 2026. How we count

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The numbers behind this answer

Also called
LCL
Category
Air, sea & rail
Related terms
FCL (full container load), Consolidation, CBM (cubic metre), Container freight station (CFS)

Sources

  1. SSL logistics glossary

Period: General definition. Data as of 29 Sep 2026.

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