LCL cost is calculated primarily by volume, usually in cubic meters (CBM). The more space you need, the more you pay.
Weight is also taken into account when determining LCL shipping costs, but because container ships can handle huge amounts of weight, volume usually matters more to overall costs.
LCL price quotes from freight forwarders include the following:
Pickup: The cost of picking up your shipment from the warehouse or factory.
Origin: LCL shipments need to be loaded onto containers along with other shipments, or consolidated, at a Container Freight Station, or CFS. This is sometimes referred to as container stuffing.
Main leg: The cost of the sea journey. Although this is the main leg of the shipment, it may not be the most expensive part. In certain instances, charges at the CFS can be very significant because they require significant machine and manpower.
Destination: Upon arrival in the destination country, LCL shipments need to stop at a CFS for deconsolidation, or unstuffing.
Delivery: The cost of trucking your goods to the destination warehouse.
