GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 25, 2026
LCL Import Customs Clearance Services
LCL import customs clearance services handle all regulatory formalities for less-than-container-load shipments on the importer's behalf: filing the customs entry, classifying goods under the applicable tariff, determining customs value, calculating duties and taxes, and coordinating physical examinations.
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Source: https://www.freightos.com/freight-resources/what-is-lcl
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Definition & Explanation
LCL import customs clearance services handle all regulatory formalities for less-than-container-load shipments on the importer's behalf: filing the customs entry, classifying goods under the applicable tariff, determining customs value, calculating duties and taxes, and coordinating physical examinations. The defining challenge of LCL clearance is that a single consolidated container holds cargo from multiple consignees; after deconsolidation, the customs broker must lodge a separate entry for each party and match the corresponding house bills of lading with individual import declarations. In practice, this additional complexity results in higher per-shipment fees than for comparable FCL cargo. Close coordination between the deconsolidating forwarder and the customs broker is essential to meet release deadlines and avoid unnecessary storage or demurrage charges.
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