What is a Less than container load (LCL)?

A less than container load (LCL) is when a buyer has goods to be shipped that don’t fill a standard 20 or 40 foot container and must be consolidated with the shipments of other buyers. This is a common option among smaller retailers who do not hold a great deal of stock. 

While a full container load is more cost-effective than a less than container load, most eBay sellers and online retailers simply don't buy in large enough bulk to fill an entire container. 

Related Terms

• Full Container Load (FCL)