Sea freight
FCL or LCL? A decision guide for part loads
When your cargo does not fill a container there are two roads: pay per cubic metre and share the box (LCL), or book the whole container (FCL). The call is not about volume alone.
The logic of the two models
| LCL (part load) | FCL (full container) | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Per cubic metre (or tonne) | Flat per container |
| Handling | Loaded and split at a consolidation depot; extra handling | Loaded at your door, opened at the buyer's |
| Time | Tied to the consolidation schedule; usually days longer | The lane's transit time |
| Damage/mixing risk | Relatively higher in a shared box | The box is yours alone |
Four questions that decide it
- How much volume? As volume grows, LCL's per-m³ total catches up with FCL; the crossover varies by lane and season · ask for both prices.
- Is the cargo sensitive? For fragile, moisture- or odour-sensitive goods, the shared-box risk can cost more than the price difference.
- How tight is the schedule? LCL depends on the depot's sailing schedule; hard deadlines favour FCL's predictability.
- How will it be delivered? If the buyer's address cannot unload a container, LCL's depot delivery is sometimes more practical.
Give dimensions and weight in your quote request; on borderline
loads we price LCL and FCL side by side in the same quote · the choice stays yours.
Official sources
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