Importing Small Quantities of Olive Oil (LCL, Pallets)

In brief. You are not obliged to order a full container (FCL) to import olive oil. Below that, there is LCL (groupage) — you only pay for the space you occupy, a few pallets — and sometimes shipments by full pallets in IBCs or drums. The starting price stays low, but the logistics surcharge per kilo is higher than in FCL: fixed costs spread over less volume. Small volume makes sense to test a market, a variety or a supplier before scaling, rarely for recurring volume.

Many SME buyers believe importing olive oil necessarily starts at a full container. That's false. You can start much smaller — at the price of a per-kilo surcharge that must be known and accepted knowingly. Here are the real options below the full container, their thresholds, their cost and when they are relevant.

Can you import less than a full container?

Yes. The full container (FCL, full container load) is the reference format for bulk, but it is not the only entry point. Below it, two main options exist:

• LCL (less than container load / groupage): your goods share a container with those of other importers. You only pay for the volume you occupy.
• Full pallets: a few pallets of IBCs (1,000 L) or drums, shipped by groupage or international courier depending on distance and market.

The principle is simple: the lower you go in volume, the more the share of fixed costs (customs clearance, handling, documents, freight forwarder) weighs per kilo. The FOB price of the oil doesn't change much; it's the logistics that get pricier.

LCL / groupage: how it works

In LCL, your lot is consolidated with others in a container, then deconsolidated on arrival. It is the most common solution for importing a few hundred to a few thousand litres.

What you need to know:

• Billing by volume/weight: you pay according to the greater of volume (m³) or chargeable weight. Olive oil being dense (0.913 kg/L), weight counts.
• Lead times: consolidation and deconsolidation add days to transit compared to FCL.
• Handling: more handling steps = slightly more physical risk to the containers; take care with bracing and packaging.
• Fixed costs owed by all: customs clearance, freight forwarder fees, dossier fees remain due regardless of the small volume.

LCL is ideal for a first trial: it lets you receive real pallets, control quality on arrival and validate a supplier before any volume commitment.

Realistic MOQs in small volume

The MOQ (minimum order quantity) depends on the supplier and the packaging. As a guide, and *to be confirmed case by case:

Format	Volume per container	Indicative common MOQ
IBC (tote)	1,000 L	1 to a few IBCs
Drums	~200 L	A pallet of drums
Jerrycans	5 to 25 L	Depending on palletisation

A frequent order of magnitude for a first LCL trial is around one to a few pallets, i.e. a few hundred to one or two thousand litres. Useful reminder: a full container carries far more — see our article on the number of litres of oil per container to gauge the scale difference. Below a bulk supplier's MOQ, you sometimes have to turn to already-packaged oil, pricier per litre.

The real surcharge: how much more per kilo?

This is the point too many buyers discover too late. The FOB price of the oil stays close to the origin market. But the landed cost climbs faster in small volume, because the fixed costs spread over fewer kilos.

Concretely, on a small LCL shipment, expect logistics and fixed costs to noticeably increase the cost per kilo compared to an FCL — the exact gap depends on destination, volume and freight forwarder, and is quoted case by case. The right method is never to compare two FOB prices, but to compare two landed costs (all-inclusive delivered cost) for the same volume.

Points of vigilance that widen the gap in small volume:

• Fixed customs clearance and freight forwarder fees, identical regardless of volume.
• Freight minimums applied by consolidators.
• Deconsolidation fees on arrival, specific to LCL.
• Packaging cost: IBCs or drums cost more per litre than the flexitank of an FCL.

When does small volume really make sense?

LCL and pallets are a testing tool, not an economical supply mode. They are relevant to:

• Test a new market: validate demand before tying up the cash of an FCL.
• Try a variety: compare a mild Chemlali and a more robust Chetoui on a real commercial volume.
• Qualify a supplier: check quality, documents and reliability before scaling up.
• Smooth a starting cash flow, when a full container represents too heavy a commitment.

However, as soon as your volumes become regular and predictable, the full container becomes the most economical format per kilo again. Our article on how to import a full container details this scaling step. The logic is simple: small volume to learn and test, FCL to optimise cost once the market is validated.

The mistake to avoid

Choosing small volume to save per kilo: the opposite happens. LCL costs more per kilo; it is justified by risk reduction, not by price. The other classic mistake: comparing a small-volume FOB price to an FCL landed price. Always compare equivalent landed costs, otherwise you reach the wrong conclusion.

FAQ

Can you import olive oil without a full container?

Yes. LCL (groupage) allows you to share a container and only pay for the space occupied — a few pallets. Shipments by full pallets of IBCs or drums are also possible. The FOB price stays low, but the landed cost per kilo is higher than in FCL.

What is LCL in olive oil import?

LCL (less than container load) is a groupage shipment: your goods travel with those of other importers in the same container, then are deconsolidated on arrival. You pay according to volume or chargeable weight, olive oil being dense (0.913 kg/L).

What is the MOQ for a small import?

It depends on the supplier and the packaging: often from one to a few 1,000 L IBCs, or a pallet of ~200 L drums. A first LCL trial frequently runs around one to a few pallets.

How much does oil cost in small quantities compared to a container?

The oil stays close to the origin market, but the fixed costs (customs clearance, freight forwarder, deconsolidation) spread over fewer kilos, which noticeably increases the landed cost per kilo compared to an FCL.

When should you favour small volume?

To test a market, a variety or a supplier before committing to a full container. Small volume reduces risk and smooths the starting cash flow; it is not relevant for regular supply, which is more economical in FCL.

How do you compare an LCL offer and an FCL offer?

Never compare two FOB prices: compare two landed costs (all-inclusive delivered cost) for the same volume and same destination. That is the only way to see the real surcharge of small volume and decide knowingly.

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Want to test a first small volume of Tunisian olive oil? Request a quote: we cost your LCL and pallet options, with a clear landed cost by format and by incoterm. For scaling up, consult our guide to importing a full container.