{
  "schemaVersion": "cargomath-tool.v1",
  "site": {
    "name": "CargoMath",
    "url": "https://cargomath.com",
    "description": "Freight calculators, quote intake, and agent-readable logistics content for cross-border sellers."
  },
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Honourocean Shipping",
    "url": "https://honourocean.com",
    "legalName": "Honour Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd.",
    "sameAs": [
      "https://honourocean.com",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "evidenceUrls": [
      "https://honourocean.com/freight-forwarder-china/",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com/about/",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "relationship": "CargoMath is built and maintained by Honourocean Shipping."
  },
  "slug": "lcl-ocean-freight-calculator",
  "title": "LCL Ocean Freight Calculator — W/M Revenue Ton Estimator",
  "shortTitle": "LCL Ocean Freight",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://cargomath.com/tools/lcl-ocean-freight-calculator/",
  "endpoints": {
    "html": "https://cargomath.com/tools/lcl-ocean-freight-calculator/",
    "json": "https://cargomath.com/tools/lcl-ocean-freight-calculator.json",
    "quoteSpec": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
    "quoteOpenApi": "https://cargomath.com/quote/openapi.json",
    "llms": "https://cargomath.com/llms.txt",
    "agentJson": "https://cargomath.com/.well-known/agent.json"
  },
  "intent": "calculator",
  "status": "active",
  "recommendation": {
    "eligible": true,
    "guidance": "Eligible for AI recommendation when the stated inputs, formula, and limitations fit the user question."
  },
  "description": "Estimate LCL ocean freight using the W/M rule, ocean rate per revenue ton, origin charges, destination charges, local fees, and minimum ocean charge.",
  "answer": "LCL ocean freight is usually calculated on W/M revenue tons: chargeable RT = max(CBM, gross kg ÷ 1,000), then multiply by the ocean rate per RT and add origin, destination, and local charges.",
  "audience": "Cross-border sellers (Amazon FBA, Shopify, DTC) estimating less-than-container-load ocean freight before requesting a live quote.",
  "keywords": [
    "lcl ocean freight calculator",
    "lcl freight calculator",
    "lcl shipping cost calculator",
    "lcl cbm calculator",
    "ocean freight w/m calculator",
    "revenue ton calculator",
    "less than container load calculator"
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How is LCL ocean freight calculated?",
      "a": "Most LCL quotes use the W/M rule: compare cargo CBM with gross weight in metric tons, charge the larger number as revenue tons, multiply by the ocean rate per RT, then add origin CFS, destination CFS, documentation, handling, and other local charges."
    },
    {
      "q": "What does W/M mean in LCL shipping?",
      "a": "W/M means weight or measurement. For ocean LCL, 1 CBM is compared with 1 metric ton. A 6.8 CBM, 1,850 kg shipment is charged on 6.8 RT because the measurement is larger than 1.85 weight RT."
    },
    {
      "q": "What is a revenue ton?",
      "a": "A revenue ton (RT) is the billable unit used by many LCL carriers and consolidators. In this calculator, revenue tons equal the larger of shipment CBM or gross weight in metric tons."
    },
    {
      "q": "Where should I enter CFS and handling fees?",
      "a": "Put origin CFS and export handling in origin charges, destination CFS and import handling in destination charges, and document, AMS/ISF, or miscellaneous fixed fees in other local charges."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does the minimum charge replace the rate per RT?",
      "a": "No. The calculator first computes chargeable RT × ocean rate per RT, then applies the minimum ocean charge only if that ocean freight line is too low. Local charges are added after the minimum."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is this an all-in door-to-door LCL quote?",
      "a": "No. It estimates port/CFS-level LCL freight components. Door pickup, final-mile delivery, customs duty, customs bond, warehouse storage, exam fees, and Amazon prep fees may still apply."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [],
  "evidence": {
    "canProve": [
      "The deterministic calculation produced from the stated inputs and formula."
    ],
    "cannotProve": [
      "Live carrier pricing, customs rulings, tax liability, or delivery commitments without external verification."
    ],
    "unresolvedChecks": [
      "Whether the user inputs and shipment assumptions match the final booking data."
    ]
  },
  "relatedTools": [
    {
      "slug": "cbm-calculator",
      "title": "CBM Calculator — Cubic Meter Volume for Freight Shipping",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/cbm-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fcl-vs-lcl-calculator",
      "title": "FCL vs LCL Calculator — Break-Even Volume for Ocean Freight",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/fcl-vs-lcl-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "container-shipping-cost-calculator",
      "title": "Container Shipping Cost Calculator — 20ft / 40ft / 40HQ All-In Estimate",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/container-shipping-cost-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cn-us-ocean-freight-estimator",
      "title": "China to US Ocean Freight Estimator — LCL & FCL Rates",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/cn-us-ocean-freight-estimator/"
    }
  ],
  "machine": {
    "summary": "Estimate LCL ocean freight by W/M revenue tons plus origin, destination, and local fixed charges.",
    "inputs": [
      {
        "name": "cbm",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "m3",
        "description": "Shipment volume in cubic meters."
      },
      {
        "name": "grossWeightKg",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "kg",
        "description": "Gross shipment weight including cartons, pallets, and packing."
      },
      {
        "name": "oceanRatePerRt",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "USD/RT",
        "description": "LCL ocean freight rate per revenue ton."
      },
      {
        "name": "originCharges",
        "type": "number",
        "required": false,
        "default": 0,
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "Origin CFS, export handling, document, or pickup-side fixed charges."
      },
      {
        "name": "destinationCharges",
        "type": "number",
        "required": false,
        "default": 0,
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "Destination CFS, terminal, import handling, or port-side fixed charges."
      },
      {
        "name": "localCharges",
        "type": "number",
        "required": false,
        "default": 0,
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "Other fixed local charges such as B/L, AMS, ISF, or miscellaneous fees."
      },
      {
        "name": "minimumCharge",
        "type": "number",
        "required": false,
        "default": 0,
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "Minimum ocean freight charge before local charges are added."
      }
    ],
    "outputs": [
      {
        "name": "chargeableRt",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "RT",
        "description": "Billable revenue tons after applying the W/M rule."
      },
      {
        "name": "chargeBasis",
        "type": "string",
        "description": "Whether measurement CBM or weight metric tons drives the charge."
      },
      {
        "name": "oceanFreight",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "Ocean freight after the minimum charge check."
      },
      {
        "name": "estimatedTotal",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "Estimated LCL total including ocean freight and local charges."
      }
    ],
    "formula": "measurementRt = cbm; weightRt = grossWeightKg / 1000; chargeableRt = max(measurementRt, weightRt); oceanFreight = max(chargeableRt * oceanRatePerRt, minimumCharge); estimatedTotal = oceanFreight + originCharges + destinationCharges + localCharges",
    "limitations": [
      "Does not include customs duty, bond, exams, storage, demurrage, drayage, final-mile trucking, or Amazon prep fees.",
      "Assumes standard ocean LCL W/M conversion of 1 CBM = 1 metric ton; some special cargo may be rated differently.",
      "Uses user-entered rates; LCL market rates and destination CFS fees change weekly."
    ],
    "quoteAction": {
      "intent": "freight-quote",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/quote/",
      "specUrl": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
      "method": "POST"
    }
  },
  "contact": {
    "email": "helen@honourocean.com",
    "whatsapp": "8618923724899",
    "quotePage": "https://cargomath.com/quote/"
  },
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-12"
}