What LCL groupage is
Less than container load means your cargo travels in a shared box with other UK exporters heading to the same port. You pay for the cubic metres you occupy rather than for a whole container, which makes it the natural choice for part-home removals, trade samples, e-commerce replenishment, spare parts and personal effects.
Pricing guide
LCL Groupage Pricing Guide
Shared container space — pallets, cases, crates and part loads
| LCL freightMinimum 2 m³ chargeable | from £95 per m³ |
| Single standard pallet1.2 × 1.0 × 1.6 m | from £210 |
| Five pallets | from £790 |
| Half container part load | from £1,050 |
| Palletising, wrapping & labelling | from £35 per pallet |
| Warehouse receipt & handling | from £45 per consignment |
| UK export customs entry | £45 per entry |
Indicative rates only, excluding VAT where applicable. Final pricing depends on dimensions, weight, sailing schedule and destination charges.
How it is priced
Freight is charged on weight or measurement — one tonne or one cubic metre, whichever is greater — with a two cubic metre minimum charge. Below about five cubic metres groupage is comfortably cheaper than a 20ft container. Between five and twelve the two converge, and above twelve a full container usually wins once destination de-consolidation is counted. We run that comparison on every quotation.
Packing for a shared container
Because your goods travel alongside somebody else's, presentation matters. We palletise, shrink wrap, corner-protect and label every consignment before it enters the consolidation, and all timber packaging is ISPM15 heat treated and stamped — something customs authorities check routinely.
How groupage cargo moves
Quote & booking
Rates, sailing or flight options confirmed in writing.
UK collection
Nationwide collection or delivery into our Tilbury depot.
Loading & packing
Lashing, crating, palletising and photographic record.
Customs & export
Export entry, NES clearance and documentation released.
Transit & delivery
Tracking updates until the cargo lands with your consignee.
Transit expectations
Allow the port-to-port sailing plus roughly seven to ten days either side for consolidation in the UK and de-consolidation at the arrival container freight station. Destination charges are set by the CFS operator and payable locally; we show them as a separate estimated line so nothing is a surprise.