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.