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LCL Sea Freight
from China Worldwide
International LCL
from China
LCL sea freight lets your cartons or pallets share a container with other shipments from China. It can suit orders that do not need a whole container. We check the packed size and weight, the destination and the delivery requirements to compare the total shipping cost.
- Shared container space for your goods
- Warehouse handling at both ends explained
- Depot collection or address delivery checked
Ship cartons or pallets.
NZ-owned
Based in Shenzhen
Supplier coordination
Destination service checks
Is LCL shipping right for you?
LCL means Less than Container Load. Your cartons or pallets share a sea container with other shipments. It can suit orders that are too small to justify their own container. The goods are grouped together in China and separated after arrival.
See LCL sea freight to New Zealand or LCL sea freight to Australia for those destinations. Compare Sea Parcel for smaller cartons or full container shipping for larger loads. You can also compare all international freight options.
Shared commercial cargo
Shipping costs
Shipping time
Delivery options
Before booking, agree who handles your goods after arrival, who arranges customs clearance and when you can collect or receive them. The container may be unpacked before all the paperwork for your shipment is complete.
For a larger load, compare full container shipping. A few small cartons may suit Sea Parcel where available. Compare the total prices to the same collection or delivery point.
How LCL shipping works
Measure and describe
Bring orders together in China
Ship and unpack
Clear customs and receive goods
Buying from several suppliers? Send each supplier’s location, packing details and the date their goods will be ready. We will check whether the orders can travel together. A late order may miss the planned shipment.
At the destination, the shared container is unpacked so each customer’s goods can be released separately. Agree who handles customs clearance and whether you will collect from the depot or receive a delivery.
Shipping time
and costs
Ask when your goods need to reach the China warehouse and when they should be ready to collect or receive overseas. The estimate includes time to group shipments, sail, unpack the container and complete local checks.
Check whether your quote includes warehouse handling, unpacking, customs help and local delivery. Ask about the minimum charge and any storage costs if clearance or collection is delayed.
Before your goods arrive
Packing for the journey
Destination documents
Local collection plan
Collecting or receiving LCL goods overseas
After the shared container is unpacked and your goods are cleared, the shipment can be collected at the agreed facility or delivered where the local service allows. Send the delivery country, postcode, access details and any unloading needs.
See door-to-door freight for delivery coordination, or the New Zealand and Australian LCL services for those destinations.
Plan your international
LCL shipment
Send the destination country and city, packed size and weight, supplier locations and delivery address. Tell us if the goods are fragile or if other packages cannot be stacked on top, so we can plan suitable handling.
- Not sure which method fits? We can help.
- Multiple suppliers? Tell us about your goods.
- Packing list ready? Add it to your enquiry.
Tell us about your shipment
Shipping under 50kg? A US$15 administration fee applies if you are not sourcing through Prestige Sourcing. This applies to all shipping methods.
For most shipments under 100kg, you or your supplier will need to arrange delivery to the nominated warehouse in China. Pickup depends on the supplier’s location; check with us before sending the goods.
Have your packing list and full shipment details?
Complete the detailed quote →
International LCL FAQs
Does LCL have the same minimum charge for every destination?
No. Send the packed size, weight and destination so we can check the minimum charge. Ask how the price is calculated and whether warehouse handling is included.
How do I receive my LCL shipment?
The depot unpacks the shared container. Once your goods have completed the required import checks, you can collect them or use the delivery service in your quote. Check the paperwork you need and when collection is available.
Does LCL mean sea parcel?
No. Both travel by sea, but they have different handling and pricing rules. LCL lets you share a container. Sea Parcel is for suitable smaller cartons where that service is available. Send the carton details so we can compare them.
Can one LCL booking cover several supplier orders?
We can check whether the orders can travel together. Send each supplier’s packing details, location and the date their goods will be ready.
What does the delivery estimate include?
Ask where the journey starts and ends, and whether the estimate includes customs checks and local delivery. The dates depend on your route and the services included in your quote.
What do you need for a quote?
Start with your name, email, destination country and city, and what you are shipping. If known, add the packed size and weight, supplier’s location, date the goods will be ready and the receiver’s details.
Does the under-50kg administration fee apply?
A US$15 administration fee applies under 50kg if you are not sourcing through Prestige Sourcing, across all methods. Send your goods details so we can check the available service.
Where can I check the import requirements?
Use the international customs and shipping guide for documents and checks to prepare before shipping. Check the destination country’s official import guidance and agree who handles customs before sending the goods.
Ready to ship from China?
Tell us the country, cargo and required delivery point to assess your LCL options from China.