Shipping Knowledge: The Difference Between FCL And LCL

⚫ Definition

FCL stands for Full Container Load, which means the shipment or cargo takes up the entire container, and the container space is not shared with any other cargo.

LCL stands for Less than Container Load. It refers to situations in which the cargo has small volume or dimensions and will not fill the entire container.

⚫ What is the difference?

Examine these factors before choosing LCL or FCL shipments for your cargo in ocean freight services:

--Shipment's Volume

It is often the most important factor in deciding whether to ship your cargo in an FCL or LCL container. For shipments of less than 13 CBM, an LCL shipment is usually the best option.

--Shipment's Weight

LCL: One ton is the maximum weight per CBM. The chargeable weight will be based on the gross weight of the shipment weight exceeds the allowed load. (For example, if a 1 CBM load weighs 1,300 kg, the chargeable weight will be 1.3 CBM rather than 1 CBM.)

FCL: The maximum load varies depending on the country. The maximum payloads for the basic container sizes are listed below:
20' – 18.6 tons
40' and 40' HC – 28.6 tons

--Freight Cost

LCL is more expensive per unit of freight than FCL because freight agents prefer a full container load because it is easier for them than working out how to pack many LCL shipments into a full container.

--Urgency of Shipment

FCL is usually the better option for urgent shipments.
For shipments with a wide range of arrival dates, LCL is preferable.

--Security and Damages

FCL is more secure because it undergoes significantly less handling than commodities sent via LCL, there is a lesser danger of damage, theft, or loss.

--Customs Clearance

Although the difficult thing for LCL is that if a single consignment is detected by customs during an inspection, the entire container must be examined.

When it comes to FCL, containers are randomly inspected by Customs. Even if you constantly send the same product and take the same route.

--Local Charges

Shipments are billed per CBM for LCL shipments while it is normally billed per container and as a fixed sum for an FCL cargo. FCL fees are usually less expensive than those associated with LCL shipments.