Cargo Consolidation & Groupage Shipping
Too small for a full container? We combine your parcels into shared groupage (LCL) so you ship as one and pay only for the volume you use.
If your order won't fill a container, you shouldn't pay for empty space. Cargo consolidation — groupage, or LCL — combines your goods with other shipments into one container, so you ship as a group and pay only for the cubic metres you actually use.
It's the natural fit for small and growing importers, and for anyone buying from several suppliers at once. Your suppliers deliver to our China warehouse; we receive, measure, and combine everything into one outbound shipment, then clear and split it on arrival.
Who this is for
This service is for:
- Importers with small volumes — under ~10 m³ — where a full container is overkill.
- Buyers shipping several small parcels who are overpaying on separate deliveries.
- Sellers who want to share container space and pay only for what they use.
What we do
- 1
Receive
We accept your parcels at our consolidation warehouse.
- 2
Check & log
We verify count and condition and log every box.
- 3
Combine
We merge your goods into shared groupage (LCL) or your own load.
- 4
Optimise
We repack to cut volume and lower your chargeable space.
- 5
Ship as one
Your consolidated shipment leaves on a fixed schedule.
How consolidation works
Consolidation turns a scatter of small supplier deliveries into one efficient shipment. You get the per-volume pricing of groupage without juggling several couriers and customs entries.
You send us tracking for what's coming; we handle everything from the warehouse door onward.
Why groupage saves money
With groupage you pay for volume, not a whole container — so a few boxes cost a few boxes' worth, not a flat container rate. Combining suppliers also means one customs entry and one delivery instead of many.
As your volumes grow, the same warehouse moves you up to a full container when that becomes the cheaper option.
Small load? Three ways to ship it
For a load that won't fill a container, groupage usually wins on cost. Here's how the options stack up.
- Best volume
- A few small parcels
- Cost
- High per kg
- Speed
- Fast (air)
- Multi-supplier
- Separate parcels
- Best volume
- Boxes up to ~15 m³
- Cost
- Low — pay per m³
- Speed
- Sea timeline
- Multi-supplier
- Combined into one
- Best volume
- ~15 m³ and above
- Cost
- Lowest per m³ at scale
- Speed
- Sea timeline
- Multi-supplier
- Combined into one
What's included
Consolidation is a handling service as much as a shipping one — receiving, measuring, and combining are where the savings and the control come from.
Tell us who's shipping to us and we take it from there.
- Receiving deliveries from multiple suppliers
- Check-in: quantity and condition on arrival
- Volume measurement and a clear per-m³ quote
- Combining your goods into one shipment
- One set of export documents and customs entry
- Clearance on arrival and onward delivery
Why it matters
The problem we solve — and how we solve it.
Shipping each small parcel separately multiplies freight and handling fees.
We combine them into one shipment, so you pay once.
Half-empty shipments mean you pay for space you don't use.
Groupage lets you share a container and pay only for your volume.
Loose, oversized packing inflates volumetric charges.
We repack to shrink billable volume before you're charged.
How we compare
| Silk Way Sourcing | Typical logistics company | Alibaba sourcing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small volumes | Shared LCL, pay your share | Full-load minimums | Per-parcel courier |
| Handling fees | One shipment, one fee | Per-shipment fees | Per-order fees |
| Packing | Repacked to cut volume | Shipped as received | Original boxes |
| Schedule | Fixed departures | Waits to fill | Ships separately |
Frequently asked questions
What is cargo consolidation?
It's combining shipments into one container so small loads travel together. You ship as part of a shared (LCL) container and pay only for the cubic metres you use, instead of funding a whole container.
How is the price calculated?
By the volume your goods occupy, measured in cubic metres, with a minimum chargeable volume. We measure on arrival at our warehouse and give you a clear per-m³ quote.
Can I combine goods from different suppliers?
Yes — that's the core benefit. Your suppliers all deliver to our warehouse, and we combine everything into one shipment with a single customs entry and delivery.
When should I switch from groupage to a full container?
Roughly once your volume passes ~15 m³, a full container usually becomes cheaper per cubic metre. We'll flag the crossover so you move up at the right time.
Is there a minimum volume?
There's a minimum chargeable volume for groupage, but it's small — consolidation is designed exactly for loads that don't justify their own container.
How long does consolidation add?
We hold goods for a short consolidation window so your suppliers' deliveries can arrive and combine. We agree the cut-off with you so it doesn't delay the shipment unnecessarily.
Do you check the goods when they arrive?
Yes — quantity and condition on check-in, with photos on request. A full inspection is available if you want each supplier's goods verified before they ship.
How much does consolidation cost?
Pricing isn't fixed — it depends on the complexity, scope, and resources the job needs. Tell us what you're planning and we'll give you a clear quote up front, with no hidden costs.
What importers say after working with us
Sourcing wins across steel, solar, energy storage, construction materials and supplier verification. Client names are withheld for confidentiality.
- Steel & metals
We needed 200 tonnes of hot-rolled coil and kept getting quotes from traders. Silk Way took us straight to the mill, verified it, and inspected the load before we paid the balance.
Importer, steel & metals · Egypt - Solar energy
They caught that our 'factory' was actually a trading company and found us the real manufacturer — it saved us from a costly mistake.
Importer, solar EPC · Poland - Fiber optics
Single-mode fiber for a regional network build, delivered on spec and on time. The pre-shipment inspection report gave our own client real confidence.
Telecom contractor · Kenya
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Learn moreMeet our team of experts
Our team brings hands-on experience in sourcing, quality control, and logistics, working closely with manufacturers to ensure reliable results at every stage.
Arkadii Vakhnovskyi
Founder & CEO
Dmitry Markov
Head of Operations & CTO
Andy Wang
Logistics & Compliance Manager
Alyona
Marketing & SMM
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