GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 25, 2026
LCL Consolidation Services
A shipper has six cubic metres of cargo bound for Rotterdam—too little for a dedicated container, too costly for air freight.
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Source: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/glossary/lcl.html
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Definition & Explanation
A shipper has six cubic metres of cargo bound for Rotterdam—too little for a dedicated container, too costly for air freight. LCL consolidation services address exactly this gap: the freight forwarder groups the consignment with those of other shippers into a single 20 ft or 40 ft container. LCL stands for less than container load and refers to ocean freight shipments that do not fill an entire container. The consolidator handles cargo intake, marking, grouping, and timely departure; at the destination port, a deconsolidation agent breaks down the load for individual delivery to each consignee. On busy trade lanes, sailings typically run on weekly cycles. LCL should not be confused with LTL (less than truckload), the equivalent arrangement in road freight.
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