FCL vs. LCL

What do the terms mean and which one is better?

LCL vs. FCL

In the world of sea freight, choosing between Less than Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL) plays an important role in how efficiently you ship your goods. This guide explains the differences between LCL and FCL, explores the most common container sizes, and helps you determine which shipping method best suits your needs, depending on factors such as volume, costs, and time sensitivity.

What is LCL?

LCL stands for Less than Container Load, which means that your goods only take up part of a container. You share the container and costs with other shippers. This method is ideal if you don't have enough goods to fill an entire container. It is flexible and cost-efficient for smaller shipments, but keep in mind that transit times may be longer due to the process of consolidating and deconsolidating loads.

Benefits of LCL ✅

• Flexibility: Suitable for smaller shipments.
• Cost savings: You only pay for the space you use.
• Accessible: Makes international shipping feasible for smaller companies.

Disadvantages of LCL ❌

• Longer transit times: By consolidating loads, it can take longer for your goods to arrive.
• Higher risk of damage: More handling of goods can increase the risk of damage.

What is FCL?

FCL, or Full Container Load, means that your goods fill an entire container. This option is most cost-efficient for larger shipments. With FCL, you have exclusive control over the container, leading to faster transit times and less risk of damage, as your goods are not mixed with those of others.

Benefits of FCL ✅

• Faster transit times: Less handling often results in faster delivery.
• Lower risks: Less risk of damage as your goods are the only ones in the container.
• Cost-effective for large volumes: On a large scale, FCL can be cheaper per unit.

Disadvantages of FCL ❌

• Less flexible: Not ideal for smaller shipments due to higher fixed costs, because you pay for the entire container anyway.
• Higher fixed costs: Renting an entire container can be expensive if you don't have enough goods to fill it.

Container sizes

Containers come in various sizes and types, but the most common are the 20-foot and 40-foot containers:

• 20ft container (20′ x 8′ x 8'6″): Ideal for heavier goods that don't take up much space, as the container's weight limit is reached faster than the space limit.
• • In a 20ft container, you can load up to 33CBM of goods and 21,600-28,080kg of weight
• 40ft container (40′ x 8′ x 8'6″): Suitable for lighter, larger goods. These containers offer twice as much space as 20-foot containers.
• • In a 40ft container, you can load up to 56CBM of goods and 26,000-28,080kg of weight
• 40ft High Cube (HC) (40′ x 8′ x 9'6″): Similar to the standard 40-foot container, but with an extra foot in height for a little more volume.
• • In a 20ft container, you can load up to 56CBM of goods and 26,000-28,080kg of weight. The weight may be slightly lower, as the container itself is larger.
• 45ft High Cube (HC) (45′ x 8′ x 9'6″): this format of containers is slightly less popular, and there is often a fairly high fee if you want to book these format containers.

There are also special containers, such as refrigerated containers for perishable goods and open-top containers for goods that need to be loaded from above.

When to choose LCL or FCL?

The decision between LCL and FCL depends on several factors:

• Volume and weight: If your shipment takes less than 25 CBM, LCL is often the best option. We can easily consolidate your shipment with other shipments, so you pay a lower price. For larger shipments that can fill an entire container, FCL is cheaper & faster.
• Time sensitivity: For urgent shipments, FCL often offers shorter transit times.
• Budget: LCL can be more cost-effective for smaller shipments, while FCL can be more cost-effective for large volumes in the long run through lower unit costs.
• Risk: For fragile or valuable goods, FCL may be a safer option because of less handling. This is because at FCL, the goods are loaded directly into the container at the supplier, and are not consolidated with other goods.

Calculate Sea Freight Costs

Conclusion

Choosing between LCL and FCL is an important decision that affects the cost, transit time, and safety of your shipment. By taking into account the volume of your goods, the time sensitivity of your shipment, your budget and the vulnerability of your goods, you can make a good choice between LCL and FCL.

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