Less than Container Load (LCL) Shipment

How does LCL transports work?

Packaging of the shipment

The consignor should provide a professional packaging for the LCL cargo. The rail, truck and sea freight should, after the packaging, be able to endure the handling without suffering any damage. LCL shipments are often packed in euro pallets or wooden boxes and protective film. The chances of getting your LCL sea freight, rail freight, or truck freight from A to B is highly dependent on the quality of packaging.

Customs clearance of LCL transports

Cargo leaving the European Community (EC) has to be declared to the Customs Administration. To do that, you will need to create the Export Accompanying Document (EAD), for which you will only need the Proforma Invoice and the packing list. Make sure to take care of this, preferably before your LCL sea freight, rail freight, or truck freight is being picked up.

Freightfinders offers you the opportunity to engage of our exclusive customs broker, who will handle these affairs easily and beforehand.

LCL freight pickup

As soon as your LCL sea freight, rail freight, or truck freight is properly packed and cleared, they will be picked up. This happens usually by lorry (up to 7,5 tons) and a hydraulic lift. Bigger cargos will be picked up by an articulated lorry (40t). Usually, the pick-up dates cannot be fixed to an exact time. This is why periods of time are used, i.e.: Date – 8 a.m. – 12 a.m.

Handling of your goods at the port or container terminal

After being picked up, your LCL cargo will be brought to the respective port or container terminal. In the warehouses at the port, the freight will be packed very carefully in the appropriate LCL container to avoid any damage during the shipping. Tags on your cargo will ensure that they will be handled properly and fast.

Container shipment

Once the LCL container is fully loaded, it will be brought to the correct seaport or container terminal. From there, it will be loaded onto the ship, train, or truck that has been booked for your LCL shipment. The container will have a number, which gives you the opportunity to trace your cargo. 
The responsibility of the exporter for your LCL sea freight, rail freight, or truck freight is usually ending at this point, depending on whether it is a CIF or CFR transport. If, however, the consignor has agreed upon another Incoterm, the responsibility carries on.

Arrival of the container at the place of destination

After the arrival of the LCL container at the place of destination, it will be transported to a storage place. There, the cargo will be discharged from the sea container in order that the consignee can receive his/her sea freight, rail freight, or truck freight. Before the arrival of the cargo, the consignee receives an “Advance Shipping Notice” (ASN). This notification contains information, such as the amount of the goods, item number, weight and volume of the LCL cargo and the exact time of goods input. It also functions as a shipment tracking device. Moreover, the information on this ASN can be used for customs clearance.

Customs clearance of LCL cargo

Equally to the export, the import of a shipment must be declared at the local Customs Administration. It is not until then that the cargo can be picked up. Dependant on the incoterms which were agreed upon beforehand, the customs clearance has to be paid by either the consigner (Incoterm DDP) or the recipient (Incoterm DDU).

Delivery of LCL transports

After the successful customs clearance, the LCL sea freight, rail freight, or truck freight will be delivered to the consignee. Provided that the goods were properly packed, the LCL shipment should arrive without any damage.

Optional: Insurance of LCL sea freight, rail freight and truck freight transports

Usually, carriers have a limited liability. Hence, the customer assumes liability for most of the damages. This does not only apply to damages done to your LCL sea freight, rail freight, or truck freight, but also damages on the sea container, ship, train, or truck. Most people do not want to take that high of a risk, as the costs can be immense in contrast to the relatively low prices of an insurance. You can cover insurance for your LCL shipment straight from our platform to be on the safe side.