Ship lcl意思

"LCL" in the context of shipping refers to "Less than Container Load." This term is used to describe shipments that do not fill an entire container and are therefore grouped with other smaller shipments before being loaded into a container. LCL shipping is often used for smaller quantities of goods or when the volume of goods does not justify the cost of a full container load (FCL).

When shipping LCL, the freight forwarder or shipping line consolidates the goods from multiple shippers into one container. Each shipper's goods are assigned a specific volume within the container, and the container is filled with shipments from multiple parties. This is in contrast to FCL (Full Container Load) shipping, where a single shipper uses an entire container for their goods.

LCL shipping can be more cost-effective for small businesses or those with lower volume shipments, as it allows them to share the cost of the container with other shippers. However, it does come with some disadvantages, such as longer transit times due to the consolidation and deconsolidation process, and potential damage to goods if they are not properly packed or if they are handled roughly during the consolidation process.