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Less-than-container loads (LCLs) are a cost-effective and reliable way to transport small quantities of goods. Our services for LCL will provide cost reductions, while offering you the flexibility, cost-efficiency and reliability you need. Our tailor-made solutions guarantee a smooth and stress-free process.
LCL enables you to scale your business without the constraints of full-container loads. Whether you are a small, medium-sized or multinational company, LCL allows you to sell and ship smaller quantities, and adapt to market demand. In addition, we offer you the convenience of goods collection and delivery throughout our Rhenus road network, along with additional warehousing services – all seamlessly provided without reliance on third-party providers.
Reliable transit times and punctual delivery to any location worldwide thanks to optimized processes and stable schedules.
We maintain control over the entire supply chain with available space, pickups and schedules.
Full openness about our service with no hidden costs as well as visibility of your shipment in the supply chain. With our web portal, you are able to track deliveries in real time and directly reduce the risk of potential problems.
Whether you’re shipping regularly or require extra services to meet your specific needs, we’ve got you covered with our personalized products and customized transport solutions.
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Our LCL consolidation service enables you to reduce your emissions by up to 50% compared to diesel vehicles on routes between Germany and China, at no additional cost. Rhenus offers special rates and support for every sustainable journey.
Get in touch with our experts for comprehensive advice.
LCL stands for “less-than-container load” and describes sea freight shipments that do not completely fill a container. Several shipments from different customers are consolidated into one load, which enables cost advantages. This allows shippers with smaller volumes of freight to take advantage of container shipments without having to fill an entire container.
In contrast to LCL, FCL stands for “full-container load”, when a shipper has enough freight to fill an entire container and use it exclusively. The shipper rents the entire space in the container for its own goods, which means exclusive use of the container regardless of the cargo space used.
LCL prioritizes direct transport and an optimal route with as few stops as possible. The estimated transit time is influenced by various factors such as overcrowded ports, container shortages, truck driver shortages or detours due to unforeseen events. Nevertheless, LCL shipping is considered very reliable thanks to preferential treatment by transport companies.
There is no size limit for general cargo as long as it fits into a standard container. FCL may, however, prove to be the cheaper option if the shipment exceeds a certain freight volume. In addition, not all goods can be shipped via LCL, e.g. perishable goods, live animals and plants, valuables (jewelry and raw materials such as gold or platinum) as well as personal items, foreign exchange and securities, tobacco and cigarettes, vehicles, weapons, ammunition and specific classes of dangerous goods. If you are uncertain what your best option is, please don’t hesitate to contact us for further clarification.
The state-of-the-art gateway consists of 13,000 square meters of warehouse space for container and truck handling, full CCTV surveillance and geo-tracking capabilities, and offers more than 60 direct and indirect services to 27 EU countries and full transparency for you. Located in the heart of European industry, with quicker transit times from exporters and to importers and within easy reach the industrial regions of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Rep, Slovakia, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, the gateway dovetails with our extensive European trucking network that reaches even further.
We aim to meet your requirements as efficiently as possible.