In October 2024, Australia imported more than $21 billion worth of goods. And it’s no wonder – the country’s strategic location in the Asia-Pacific region, abundant natural resources, and trade agreements with 30 economies have made it a key player in global commerce.
But you don’t have to have a huge company or large shipments to export to Australia. Shipping LCL is a great option for SMBs working with the Australian market.
Considering LCL shipping to Australia? Read on to learn all about costs, benefits, and mitigating challenges that may arise.
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What is LCL Shipping to Australia?
LCL shipping involves combining smaller shipments from different businesses into one shared container.
Unlike Full Container Load (FCL), where a single shipment fills an entire container, LCL allows for smaller freight shipments. It can be a great choice for smaller companies, or for companies of any size carefully managing inventory levels.
The Benefits of LCL Shipping to Australia
Shipping LCL to Australia offers a number of benefits:
- Lower costs: By sharing container space, businesses pay only for the space they need. (Think you might be ready for a full container? Read all about FCL here).
- Flexibility: LCL shipping accommodates varying shipment sizes. That means you can adjust shipping volumes based on demand without the constraint of needing to fill an entire container.
- Accessibility: LCL services are widely available, offering frequent departures to major Australian ports, which can help keep inventories stocked.

Common Concerns of LCL Shipping to Australia
Every shipping method has its potential challenges. Here are some factors to keep in mind when shipping LCL:
- Longer transit times: Since LCL shipments need to be consolidated with other shipments at the origin port and then deconsolidated at destination, they typically take a little longer than FCL shipments. Budgeting in this extra transit time will help your supply chain management.
- Increased handling risks: Whenever goods are handled more, the chances of damage increase. Invest in the right packaging for your goods and work with freight forwarders you trust to help safeguard your shipments.
- Accurate cargo measurements: According to Freightos data, more than 20% of unexpected freight charges are due to inaccurate measurements. Work with your supplier to get accurate measurements for your goods, and always including packaging and palette dimensions when getting a freight quote.
LCL Shipping from China to Australia
The trade route between China and Australia is extremely popular. Here’s what to expect if you ship along this route:
- Transit times: Typically, shipping from China to Australia by sea takes around 20-30 days.
- Costs: LCL shipping costs from China to Australia vary widely based on cargo dimensions, weight, and volume, in addition to seasonal and other global factors.
LCL Shipping from the USA to Australia
While import values from the USA to Australia are about half those of China to Australia, this trade lane is gaining popularity. Here’s what you can expect:
- Transit times: Ocean freight transit time from the USA to Australia is approximately 30-40 days.
- Costs: Like all LCL shipments, rates from the USA to Australia vary based on size and weight, as well as seasonality and any other global events affecting international shipping.

How Freightos Can Simplify LCL Shipping to Australia
International shipping can be challenging. Freightos.com makes it simpler, allowing you to compare rates from vetted freight forwarders instantly, and then book and manage your shipment on the same platform.
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