Less Than Container Load Ocean Freight
LCL Shipping From Canada
Share a Container and Pay Only for the Space You Use
From One Pallet Up
One pallet, a few crates or a room full of boxes
Pay for the Space Used
LCL freight is priced by volume or weight, so you never pay for an empty container.
Consolidated Sailings
Your cargo is combined with other shipments in a shared container to the same region.
International Pallet Shipping
Ship pallets and crates to ports across Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas.
Port or Door Delivery
Collect at the destination warehouse, or have us arrange delivery to the door.
How LCL Shipping Works
LCL stands for less than container load. When your shipment is too small to fill a container, it is grouped with other cargo going the same way and shipped in a shared container.
1
Get an LCL Quote
Send us the number of pallets or pieces, their dimensions and weight, and the destination. We will quote the ocean freight and the costs at both ends.
2
Delivery to the Consolidation Warehouse
Your cargo is delivered or picked up and brought to a container freight station, where it is checked and prepared for loading.
3
Consolidation and Sailing
Your shipment is loaded into a shared container with other cargo and sails to the destination port.
4
Deconsolidation and Delivery
At destination the container is unloaded, your cargo is released for pickup or delivery.
Ready to start? A quote takes about two minutes.
LCL or FCL: When Does a Shared Container Make Sense?
As a rough guide, LCL is usually the better value for shipments up to about 13 to 15 cubic metres. Beyond that, a full 20ft container (FCL), which holds around 33 cubic metres, often costs about the same and moves faster because it skips consolidation.
Learn more about container shipping and our ocean freight services.
How LCL Shipping Costs Are Calculated
LCL ocean freight is charged per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever is greater. For most cargo the volume decides the price. For example, a pallet measuring 120 by 100 by 150 centimetres takes up 1.8 cubic metres.
A complete LCL quote includes the origin handling and export documents, the ocean freight, and destination charges such as deconsolidation. Most LCL rates have a minimum of one cubic metre.
Online LCL shipping cost calculators can give a rough idea, but every route is different. Fill in the form for an accurate LCL price.
How to Prepare Cargo for LCL Shipping
Because LCL shipping puts your cargo in a shared container, good packing matters. Your freight is handled at the consolidation warehouse at both ends, so it needs to stack safely and stay together.
Export documents depend on what you ship and its value; the CBSA export guide explains when a declaration is needed, and we prepare it for you.
Machinery and Commercial Cargo
LCL isn't only for household moves. We consolidate machinery parts, commercial goods and palletized inventory for businesses, from one pallet up.
Filling a whole container? See FCL shipping.
Ocean Freight Experts You Can Trust
With more than 35 years of combined experience in ocean freight, World Cargo ships LCL consolidations, pallets and full containers from Canada to destinations worldwide. We work with leading ocean carriers and handle the paperwork, so your small shipment gets the same care as a large one.
Learn More About Ocean Freight
Guides, shipping tips and updates from the ports and routes we ship on, written by our team to help you plan your next shipment.
-
5 Critical Global Cargo Shipping Disruptions Caused by Iran Tensions
Global supply chains rely on stable shipping routes to move cargo across continents. When…
Read more
-
Shipping Oversized Loads with Flat Rack Containers
When a shipment is too large or awkwardly shaped for a regular container, flat…
Read more
-
Understanding Port Cutoffs, ERDs, and Sailing Schedules
In the world of international shipping, every day, and often every hour, counts. Freight…
Read more
-
Need a Freight Forwarder For Personal Belongings?
You will need to work with a freight forwarder for personal belongings if you…
Read more
Looking for something specific? Every guide and update is on the blog.
LCL Shipping Questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. Open a question for the short answer.
Still have questions?
Talk to a real person. Our Vancouver team answers the phone and replies to every enquiry.
What does LCL mean in shipping?
LCL means less than container load. Your cargo shares a container with other shipments heading to the same destination, so you only pay for the space you use.
How is LCL freight priced?
LCL is charged per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever is greater, plus origin and destination handling. Most rates have a one cubic metre minimum.
How long does LCL shipping take?
LCL usually takes a little longer than a full container because cargo is consolidated at origin and deconsolidated at destination. Allow several weeks depending on the route.
Is LCL cheaper than FCL?
For smaller shipments, yes. Once your cargo reaches about 13 to 15 cubic metres, a full 20ft container is often similar in price.
Can I ship personal belongings by LCL?
Yes. Many people ship boxes and household items as LCL. See our personal effects shipping page for details.
Where do you ship LCL to?
We ship LCL from Canada to ports in Asia, Europe, Oceania, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, with delivery to the door where needed.
Can you pick up my LCL cargo?
Yes. We arrange pickup from your business or home and delivery to the consolidation warehouse.
Do I need insurance for LCL shipping?
Cargo insurance is recommended because carriers' liability is limited. Ask us to include it in your quote.
Have more questions?