LCL Shipping Services

Q: How are LCL shipping rates calculated?

The cost of LCL shipping is primarily based on the volume (CBM) and weight of your cargo. Additional factors that affect shipping costs include the route, destination port, and required services like pickup, documentation, or customs clearance.

Q: How does LCL compare to FCL?

In general, LCL is more cost-efficient for small shipments, while FCL offers better control, fewer handling risks, and potentially faster transit for larger volumes. Both LCL and FCL offer advantages to different logistics needs.

Q: What documentation we need to book your LCL shipment?

Standard documents include a commercial invoice , packing list , and bill of lading . Our expert team will guide you through every step to ensure full compliance with customs regulations.

Flexible, Affordable, and Reliable Less Than Container Load Solutions

When you don’t need a full container, LCL shipping (Less than Container Load) offers a cost-effective and flexible way to move smaller cargo volumes internationally. At Latin American Cargo, we specialize in LCL consolidation services, allowing you to ship your freight alongside compatible cargo bound for the same destination — without paying for unused space.

Whether you’re shipping from the U.S. or Canada to Latin America or the Caribbean, our team ensures your cargo is handled with the utmost care, transparency, and efficiency.

What is LCL Shipping?

Less-than-container load (LCL) shipping, a type of container shipping, is ideal when your cargo doesn’t fill a standard 20ft or 40ft container. Instead, your freight is consolidated with other shipments, which helps reduce costs and makes international shipping more accessible for businesses with smaller loads.

By using this shipping option, you benefit from:

Cost Savings: You only pay for the volume your cargo occupies by sharing container space, leading to lower costs compared to booking a full container.
Flexibility for Small Shipments: Avoids the need to fill or pay for an entire container when you only have a small amount of freight.
Accessible International Shipping: Provides a practical practical solution even with smaller volumes, opening up global markets.

For small businesses that prefer LCL or need to ship smaller quantities frequently, this method offers significant cost savings and flexibility compared to FCL, making international trade more attainable.

How Does LCL Shipping Work?

LCL shipping involves a step-by-step process where your cargo is combined with other shipments heading to the same destination.

Here’s how a typical LCL service works:

Cargo Pickup or Drop-off
You can arrange to drop your goods at our designated warehouse, or we can coordinate pickup from your location.
Cargo Inspection and Documentation
We inspect your shipment for proper packaging and labeling, assist with necessary paperwork (like the bill of lading), and ensure it’s prepared for consolidation, ideally on pallets or skids.
Consolidation at Origin Warehouse
Your cargo is combined with other shipments going to the same destination (consolidation), allowing you to share container space and reduce costs.
International Shipping
The consolidated container is loaded onto an ocean vessel and shipped to the destination port. This typically holds palletized cargo from multiple shippers, which helps maximize container space and minimize shipping costs.
Deconsolidation at Destination Port
Upon arrival, the container is unpacked at a bonded warehouse, and each shipment is separated.
Final Delivery or Pickup
Depending on your Incoterms or shipping agreement, the cargo is either delivered to your door or made available for pickup.

This process is overseen by your dedicated LCL specialist at LAC, ensuring that every step runs smoothly.

When to Choose LCL Shipping vs FCL?

If your cargo volume is under 10 cubic meters (CBM), LCL shipping is often the smarter and more affordable option. Here’s when LCL provides the most value:

Smaller shipment sizes that don’t justify a full container
Budget-conscious shipping where cost per CBM is key
Non-urgent freight that can align with weekly consolidation schedules
Flexible timelines with access to regular sailing frequencies

By contrast, if your cargo volume exceeds 10 CBM or you require exclusivity, FCL (Full Container Load) may be more suitable.

Learn more about FCL shipping services here.

Benefits of Our LCL Consolidation Services

At Latin American Cargo, we provide LCL freight forwarding solutions tailored to your cargo’s dimensions, weight, destination, and urgency.

✅ Competitive LCL Shipping Rates

We leverage a vast network of ocean carriers to offer cost-effective rates to and from Latin America, the Caribbean, the U.S., and Canada.

✅ Expert Handling & Secure Packaging

We recommend professional packaging for LCL shipments to protect against the increased handling typical of consolidated cargo. Using pallets or skids for proper stacking and protection not only reduces damage risk but also helps speed up loading and unloading during consolidation. Cargo insurance is also available for peace of mind.

✅ Strategic Routing & Fast Transit Times

Thanks to our global network of carriers and strong presence across major ports, we offer optimized routing and streamlined customs clearance to minimize delays.

✅ End-to-End Visibility

From pickup to delivery, our logistics experts provide clear communication and shipment updates throughout the entire process.

Ship With Confidence, Ship with LAC

Our team of logistics experts is ready to optimize your supply chain and deliver seamless shipping solutions.

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Industries We Serve with LCL Logistics Services

No matter the size or type of your freight, our LCL logistics specialists are here to provide seamless shipping solutions for your business.

Frequently Asked Questions in LCL Logistics

What is LCL shipping and how does it work?

LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping is a method where your cargo shares container space with other shipments. It’s ideal for smaller volumes and managed through a process called LCL consolidation, where compatible shipments are grouped for export.

How are LCL shipping rates calculated?

The cost of LCL shipping is primarily based on the volume (CBM) and weight of your cargo. Additional factors that affect shipping costs include the route, destination port, and required services like pickup, documentation, or customs clearance.

How does LCL compare to FCL?

In general, LCL is more cost-efficient for small shipments, while FCL offers better control, fewer handling risks, and potentially faster transit for larger volumes. Both LCL and FCL offer advantages to different logistics needs.

What documentation we need to book your LCL shipment?

Standard documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. Our expert team will guide you through every step to ensure full compliance with customs regulations.

What kind of transportation solutions do you offer?

We provide seamless shipping solutions for all types of freight, including oversized, urgent, and high-value cargo. From booking to customs clearance, our cargo shipping specialists handle every detail to ensure efficient, on-time delivery.

Partner with a Trusted LCL Freight Forwarder For Seamless Global Logistics

With over 25 years of experience in containerized shipping, LAC is your dedicated LCL freight forwarder for Latin America and beyond. We simplify international logistics for importers and exporters, ensuring reliability, security, and transparency at every step.

Contact us today to speak with an LCL shipping expert:

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