How is LCL freight charged?

Per revenue tonne (W/M): the greater of cubic metres and tonnes, usually with a minimum of 1 revenue tonne, plus origin and destination CFS charges.

CFS charges are often per W/M as well, so small shipments pay the minimum on several lines. Above roughly 12 to 20 cbm, depending on the lane, a 20' container is often cheaper even half empty.

Full guide: How to calculate an LCL quote.

A worked example

A shipment of 3 pallets, 2.4 cubic metres and 850 kg. Weight in tonnes is 0.85; volume is 2.4. The greater is 2.4, so it is charged as 2.4 revenue tonnes (W/M). At an ocean rate of USD 45 per W/M, freight is USD 108, but if the minimum is 1 W/M at USD 75, small shipments below 1.67 W/M pay the minimum.

The charges that make up an LCL quote

• Origin: CFS receiving, documentation, export clearance if it applies.
• Freight: ocean rate per W/M, often with BAF and other surcharges per W/M.
• Destination: CFS unpack (deconsolidation), terminal and documentation fees, often with their own per-W/M rates and minimums.
• Delivery: by zone or postcode, sometimes with a tail-lift charge for pallets.

Most LCL quoting mistakes come from missing minimums or forgetting that destination charges are also per W/M.