- Location: Philippines
LCL SEA FREIGHT · CHINA TO THE PHILIPPINES
Not enough cargo to fill a container? With Less-than-Container-Load (LCL) shipping, you share container space with other importers and pay only for the volume your goods take up, from any major port in China to Manila, Cebu, Davao and beyond.
Rates, inclusions and exclusions are confirmed in writing before you book.
WHAT IS LCL SHIPPING?
LCL (Less-than-Container-Load) is a sea freight service where cargo from several shippers is consolidated into one shared container. Your goods are delivered to our consolidation warehouse in China, loaded with other cargo, shipped to the Philippines, then separated and released to you. You pay only for the space you use, measured in cubic metres (CBM) or weight, whichever is greater.
Shipping 1–15 CBM at a time? LCL lets you import without paying for a container you can’t fill.
Bring in trial quantities or new SKUs without tying up cash in a full container of stock.
Buying from several Chinese factories? We consolidate their cargo into one shipment to the Philippines.
As a rule of thumb, LCL is usually the most cost-effective option for shipments under about 15 CBM. Send us your volume and we’ll tell you honestly whether LCL or FCL is better.
LCL VS FCL
FCL (Full Container Load) makes sense when you can fill most of a 20ft or 40ft container. For smaller, more frequent orders, LCL gives you flexibility without the fixed cost of a whole box.
Charged per CBM, so small shipments don’t carry the cost of an empty container.
Order smaller quantities more often and keep less money tied up in inventory.
Frequent consolidations from major Chinese ports mean you don’t wait to fill a box.
Combine goods from several factories into one shipment and one set of import documents.
Factor
LCL (Shared Container)
FCL (Full Container)
Best for
Shipments under ~15 CBM
Shipments of ~15 CBM and above
How you pay
Per CBM or per tonne (whichever is greater)
Flat rate per 20ft / 40ft container
Transit time
A few extra days for consolidation and deconsolidation
Usually faster, direct port to port
Cargo handling
Shared space, handled at both warehouses
Sealed at origin, exclusive use
Order flexibility
Small, frequent orders from multiple suppliers
Large, steady volumes
HOW LCL WORKS
You always know where your cargo is, what it costs and who is responsible at each stage, from the factory gate in China to your warehouse in the Philippines.
Share your product, supplier location, carton count, CBM and weight. We confirm the rate, inclusions and estimated transit time in writing.
Your supplier delivers to our consolidation warehouse, or we arrange pickup. Cargo is checked, measured and labelled.
Your goods are loaded into a shared container, export-cleared in China and shipped on the next scheduled sailing.
At the Philippine port the container is deconsolidated, import clearance is filed by a licensed customs broker, and your cargo is released for pickup or door delivery.
CARGO REQUIREMENTS
Most delays in LCL happen before the ship even sails. Check these points with your supplier before cargo leaves the factory.
Export-grade cartons or pallets that can be stacked, each marked with your shipping marks and carton numbers.
Correct dimensions and gross weight per carton. LCL is billed on the greater of volume or weight.
Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, with descriptions and values that match each other.
Food, beverages, cosmetics and similar products may need Philippine permits (e.g. FDA or BPI) before shipping.
Batteries, liquids, chemicals and flammables must be declared in advance; some cannot travel LCL.
Single items that are very heavy or long may need special handling. Tell us at quote stage.
Tell us what you’re shipping and we’ll point out documents or permits to prepare before your supplier ships.
ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS
Regular LCL consolidations from China’s main export hubs, with port release or door delivery across Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Origin Ports In China
Yantian & Shekou
Nansha & Huangpu
Yangshan
Including Yiwu cargo
Fujian province
Northern China
Destination Ports In The Philippines
MICP & South Harbor
Visayas hub
Mindanao hub
Northern Mindanao
CALABARZON
Western Visayas
Shipping from another city or to another island? Ask us, as inland pickup and onward delivery can usually be arranged.
LCL FAQS
Quick answers to what importers usually ask before their first LCL shipment. Still unsure? Send a short message and we’ll reply, no sales pitch.
Most consolidators charge a minimum of 1 CBM per shipment, so even very small cargo is billed as 1 CBM. Above that, you pay for the actual volume or weight, whichever is greater.
LCL is priced per “revenue ton”: the greater of the cargo’s volume in CBM or its weight in tonnes (1,000 kg = 1 CBM equivalent). Origin charges, destination charges and duties are listed separately in your quote.
Sea time from southern China to Manila is short, but LCL adds time for consolidation and deconsolidation. Your quote will include an estimated door-to-door or port-to-port timeline for your specific route.
Once you regularly ship around 15 CBM or more, a 20ft container is often cheaper overall. Send us your volumes and we’ll compare both options for you.
Import declarations are filed by a licensed customs broker, either your own broker or one we coordinate with. We make sure your documents are ready and everyone knows who handles what.
Yes, as long as your products have the required Philippine permits and are packed to withstand shared handling. Temperature-controlled goods usually need a different solution, so ask us first.
READY TO SHIP?
Tell us your product, supplier city, CBM and weight. We’ll send an itemised LCL quote with no hidden charges.
