LCL stands for Less than Container Load, and it refers to a shipping arrangement in which multiple shippers consolidate their cargo in a single container. In an LCL shipment, a shipper who does not have enough goods to fill an entire container can arrange with a consolidator to book their cargo for transportation. The consolidator will arrange for a full container (FCL) with a main shipping carrier, and will consolidate the shipments of multiple shippers into a single container. The consolidator is responsible for sorting the cargo at the destination or at transshipment points, and releasing the goods to the appropriate consignees. This allows shippers who do not have enough goods to fill an entire container to still benefit from the cost savings and convenience of containerized shipping.