Glossary term
LCL
Less than container load: a shipment too small to fill a container, consolidated with others.
Cargo occupying part of a container, combined with other shippers’ goods to fill it. Priced by volume or weight rather than by the unit.
LCL carries costs that full loads avoid: CFS charges at both ends, extra handling and therefore more damage exposure, and longer transit while cargo is assembled and later separated. Past a certain volume a full container is often cheaper as well as faster.