Less than Container Load (LCL) shipping is one of the most flexible and cost effective methods of moving goods by sea. For many UK businesses, it is the ideal solution for managing international freight without the commitment or cost, of a full container.
At Far East Shipping (UK) Ltd, LCL ocean freight is a core part of our day to day business. We provide fully managed LCL shipments for both imports into the UK and exports to international markets, with particular expertise on the UK – Far East trade lane. Our experienced team handles every aspect of the LCL process on your behalf. From arranging collection at origin, through to delivery at your door – ensuring your cargo moves reliably, efficiently and at a competitive price.
LCL shipping – also known as groupage or consolidation freight – is a method of sea freight where your goods share a container with cargo from other shippers. Rather than paying for a whole container, you pay only for the space your goods actually occupy within the shared container. This makes LCL an excellent option for businesses that do not have sufficient volume to justify a full container, but still want to benefit from the cost advantages of ocean freight over air freight.
Your goods are collected at origin, transported to a consolidation facility and loaded into a shared container alongside cargo from other shippers. Upon arrival at the destination port, the container is devanned, cargo customs cleared and then each shipment is separated and delivered to the Consignee.
LCL is available on a wide range of trade lanes and sailing schedules, making it a versatile solution for businesses of all sizes – whether you are shipping regularly or managing occasional one off consignments.
LCL shipping is particularly well suited to the following situations:
If your volumes are growing and you are beginning to consider whether FCL may be a more cost effective, our team is happy to advise on the crossover point between LCL and FCL for your specific trade lane and cargo type.
Take a look at our FCL Ocean Freight page for more information.
Our LCL import service provides UK businesses with a straightforward, cost efficient and fully managed way to bring goods into the country from overseas suppliers.
We work with a trusted network of consolidation partners across the Far East, ensuring your cargo is handled with care and shipped on scheduled services into the ports of Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway.
We manage the entire import process on your behalf, from the moment your goods are collected at origin through to delivery at your UK premises.
Our LCL import service includes:
We discharge LCL imports into the following UK ports, selecting the most appropriate gateway based on your location and delivery requirements:
London Gateway – ideal for businesses in London, the South East and the Midlands.
Felixstowe – the UK’s largest container port, with extensive nationwide haulage connections.
Southampton – well suited for businesses across the South and South West of England.
LCL is suitable for a wide range of cargo types, including consumer goods, clothing and textiles, electronics, homewares, manufacturing components, raw materials and many more. If you are unsure whether your cargo is suitable for LCL shipping, our team is happy to advise.
For UK businesses exporting goods overseas, our LCL export service provides a flexible and cost effective way to ship cargo overseas without having to outlay for a full container. Whether you are supplying overseas customers with regular orders, exploring new export markets, or managing a variable export programme, LCL gives you the ability to ship competitively at any volume.
We manage the full export process from UK collection through to delivery at the destination address. Our LCL export services include:
Our LCL export service covers key trade lanes to the Far East and beyond, such as China, Hong Kong and Singapore. With regular sailings from the UK’s leading container ports, ensure your goods reach their destination on schedule.
One of the most valuable applications of LCL shipping is the ability to consolidate cargo from multiple suppliers into a single shipment. If you are sourcing goods from several factories or suppliers across different locations – particularly across China or the broader Far East – we can coordinate the collection of the cargo from each supplier and bring everything together at a consolidation point prior to shipment.
This multi-supplier consolidation service simplifies your supply chain, reduces your overall freight costs and minimises the administrative burden of managing multiple individual shipments. All of your goods travel together as a single LCL consignment, with one set of documentation and one point of contact managing the entire process.
We offer regular LCL consolidation services from all major origin ports across the Far East and South Asia. Consolidation frequency varies by port, but our principal LCL origins offer weekly departures to the UK, ensuring your cargo does not have to wait long for the next available sailing.
LCL freight shipments are priced by volume – specifically by cubic metre (CBM). The charge for the actual ocean freight will be quoted on a per CBM basis, with additional charges for origin and destination handling, customs clearance, documentation and collection and delivery calculated separately and presented clearly in your all inclusive quotation.
There is typically a minimum charge equivalent to 1 CBM, even if your cargo is smaller – but for most shipments above this threshold, LCL represents excellent value for consignments that do not justify the cost of a full container.
Remember we always provide a transparent quotation – there are no hidden charges!
