FAQ
LCL Shipping Questions Answered
Clear answers to common questions about shipping less than container load cargo from China.
What is LCL shipping from China?
LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping lets you move cargo that doesn't fill an entire container. TENCO consolidates your goods with other shipments at a Container Freight Station (CFS) in China, then ships them together in a shared container — reducing cost compared to booking a full container (FCL).
LCL vs FCL: Which One Should You Choose?
Choose LCL when your shipment is roughly under 15 CBM (about half a 20-foot container) or when you ship from multiple suppliers and want to share container costs. LCL is ideal for SMEs, e-commerce sellers, and businesses testing new product lines — you pay only for the space you use. Choose FCL when your volume consistently fills most or all of a container (typically 15–28 CBM for a 20ft, 55–65 CBM for a 40ft). FCL offers faster transit (no CFS consolidation wait), exclusive container use, and lower per-unit cost at scale. Rule of thumb: if your cargo exceeds 15 CBM or weighs over 10 tons, request both LCL and FCL quotes — FCL often becomes more economical. TENCO offers both services and can recommend the best option based on your volume, frequency, and destination.
Which Chinese ports does TENCO operate from?
TENCO provides LCL consolidation services from Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, and Tianjin — covering China's primary export manufacturing hubs and busiest seaports.
How long does LCL shipping from China to the US take?
Typical transit time from China to US West Coast ports (Los Angeles, Long Beach) is 18–25 days port-to-port, plus 3–7 days for customs clearance and inland delivery. Total door-to-door time is usually 25–35 days depending on origin city and final destination.
What documents are needed for China export shipping?
Standard export documentation includes commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, export customs declaration, and certificate of origin (if applicable). TENCO's team prepares and verifies all documentation to ensure compliance with Chinese export regulations and destination country import requirements.
How is LCL freight cost calculated?
LCL rates are typically calculated per cubic meter (CBM) or per metric ton (W/M — weight or measurement, whichever is greater). The final quote includes origin charges (pickup, CFS, CUS, DOC, AMS/ENS/ICS2/AFR, VGM, H/C, TLX, Overzise surcharge), ocean freight, and destination charges (deconsolidation, warehouse, customs, delivery). TENCO provides all-inclusive quotes with no hidden fees.
Does TENCO offer door-to-door LCL delivery?
Yes. TENCO manages the complete logistics chain: supplier pickup in China, CFS consolidation, export customs, ocean freight, import customs at destination, and final delivery to your warehouse or door. You receive a single point of contact and unified tracking throughout.
Can TENCO arrange LCL shipping from countries other than China?
Yes. While China remains our core market, TENCO also arranges LCL shipments between other countries through our worldwide partner network. We can manage door-to-door LCL freight on routes such as South Korea to Canada, Vietnam to Malaysia, and many other origin–destination pairs across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Services include origin pickup, CFS consolidation, ocean freight, export and import customs clearance, and final delivery. Share your origin, destination, and cargo details — our team will provide a competitive quote for your specific trade lane.