Guides

FCL vs LCL: Full Container or Shared Container?

Every sea shipment starts with the same question: do you need a whole container, or just part of one? Here is how FCL and LCL work, what each costs you and when to choose which.

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What FCL and LCL mean

FCL (full container load) means you book a whole container. It is sealed after stuffing and opened only at destination, unless customs examines it. You pay per container, however much is inside.

LCL (less than container load) means your cargo shares a container with other shippers' goods. You pay for the space you use, usually per cubic metre. The cargo is consolidated at a freight station before loading and separated again at destination.

Container sizes at a glance

20-foot standard: about 33 cubic metres, for heavy or dense cargo
40-foot standard: about 67 cubic metres
40-foot high cube: about 76 cubic metres, for light but bulky cargo like furniture
Usable space is less than the total once cargo is packed and stacked

When LCL makes sense

Small, trial or sample orders
Regular small shipments to the same buyer
Cargo well under half a 20-foot container
When you can allow a few extra days for consolidation

When FCL makes sense

Once your volume gets near half a 20-foot container, FCL often costs the same or less
Fragile or high-value cargo that shouldn't be handled again
Heavy goods like steel, machinery or rice
Tight deadlines: no waiting for a consolidation box to fill

Common questions

At what volume is FCL cheaper than LCL?

There is no fixed number: it depends on the lane and current rates. As a rough guide, once cargo gets to around half a 20-foot container, compare both, because FCL is often the same price or cheaper. We quote both so you can see the difference.