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Created on 2025.12.29
Full Container Load vs. Less than Container Load in Sea Freight
Picking the best shipping method saves you both time and money. Our team helps U.S. companies decide between FCL and LCL to keep your sea freight on track. We figure out the right container for your needs, so there are no surprises.
FCL is a good idea if your items fill up most of a container. It reduces handling and speeds things up by using dedicated 20", 40", 40" HC, or 45" HC containers for easier transport.
LCL is a cheaper choice when you don't need a full container. You only pay for the space you use, which is great for small or test shipments.
We also offer unique options like flat racks, open tops, reefers, breakbulk, and RO/RO for vehicles. We can advise you on payload and U.S. road rules to keep your schedule predictable.Air freight and quick support are there if plans change.
Sea freight services built around your business needs
Our ocean services are built to adapt to your business needs. We use carrier relationships and tech to track shipments and ensure correct paperwork across different time zones.
We have services for single LCL shipments, regular FCL programs, and project cargo. This includes customs, paperwork, and door-to-door coordination.
Combining shipments from suppliers into one container lowers costs and simplifies handling. Coastal transport in some markets can also cut costs by up to 60% compared to air, road, or rail.
Expert coordination and capacity assurance on major lanes like TAWB and TPEB keep your cargo moving when the market tightens.
Service | When to use | Key benefit |
FCL programs | High-volume, recurring shipments | Fewer touchpoints, faster handling |
LCL & consolidation | Smaller orders or mixed suppliers | Lower per-shipment cost, fewer customs entries |
Project & special cargo | Out-of-gauge, reefers, RO/RO | Customized handling and equipment |
Coastal & domestic water | Local moves where available | Cost-efficient alternative to trucking |
We align transport milestones to your product launches and seasonal builds. Clear updates help your teams and customers plan with confidence.
FCL vs. LCL: choosing the right container load for reliable ocean shipping
Picking between a single container and shared space depends on how much stuff you have, when you need it there, and how much you want to spend. Here's a breakdown to help you choose the best option for your needs.
Full Container Load (FCL): exclusive use, faster handling, ideal for larger shipments
With FCL, you get a whole container just for your stuff, so there's less handling and it stays sealed the whole way. This usually means fewer delays at ports.
If you've got enough to almost fill a 20' or 40' container, go with a full container load. Packing well in the correct size helps lower damage and overall cost.
Less than Container Load (LCL): pay for the space you use with consolidated cargo
LCL shares space with other shippers and usually charges by CBM with a 1 CBM minimum. Dense, heavy cargo can trigger weight-based rates, so density matters.
- Good for a few pallets or small, frequent shipments.
- Helps maintain steady replenishment without waiting to fill a container.
When FCL wins and when LCL shines: shipment size, timing, budget, and risk
- Pick FCL for fewer handling steps, faster throughput, and predictable timelines.
- Pick LCL to save on rates for small volumes or when inventory is limited.
- Compare effective rates: near-full loads often make FCL the cheaper option per unit.
FCL lowers variability; LCL gives flexibility—use both strategically to manage cost and service.
How to select the best option for your cargo
Figure out what you need first. Think about how much you're shipping, how often, and how breakable it is. Don't forget those delivery deadlines!
If you're shipping less than 8–12 CBM and your delivery date is flexible, LCL pricing per CBM is probably best (with a 1 CBM minimum). If your stuff is heavy, you might get charged by weight, around 1,000 kg per CBM.
Decision factors: volume, frequency, sensitivity, and deadlines
Figure out what you need first. Think about how much stuff you're shipping, how often, how breakable it is, and when it needs to get there.
Start with the amount. If it's less than 8–12 CBM and you're not in a rush, LCL pricing (based on volume) is often the best deal (1 CBM min). Really heavy stuff might get charged by weight, around 1,000 kg per CBM.
Quick selector: from a few pallets to a full box
Use this simple mapping to choose a container load or consolidation solution and plan contingencies like air for urgent SKUs.
Situation | Recommended option | Why it fits |
Few pallets / test runs | LCL | Pay per CBM; flexible and cost-effective for small shipments |
Half to full box or synchronized orders | FCL / buyer consolidation | Lower unit cost, fewer touchpoints, faster terminal processing |
Peak season or lane constraints | Secure FCL allocations or coastal alternatives | Protect your supply chain and avoid delays or surcharges |
Critical delivery windows | Expedited LCL or air uplift | Shortens times for key SKUs while keeping most volume on ocean freight |
Model total landed cost, not just headline rates—compare LCL per-CBM to an FCL all-in to find the true lowest cost per SKU.
Pricing, container sizes, and weight limits explained
Understanding how charges work lets you avoid unexpected costs. Less than Container Load (LCL) is usually priced per cubic meter (CBM), with a minimum of 1 CBM. If shipments are heavy, billing might switch to weight if it's over 1,000 kg per CBM, but we'll let you know beforehand to keep your rates consistent.
LCL pricing basics: CBM, minimums, and weight triggers
Shipping costs are typically calculated per CBM, with a 1 CBM minimum. If the shipment is dense, carriers might charge by weight (kilograms) instead of volume.
Tip: Provide exact dimensions and weights to lock fair freight rates and avoid surprises at consolidation.
Common container sizes and capacities
Choose the right equipment to match pallets and volume. Typical internal volumes are:
- 20' ≈ 33.2 CBM (about 10 pallets)
- 40' ≈ 67.6 CBM (about 20 pallets)
- 40' HC ≈ 76.4 CBM
- 45' HC ≈ 86 CBM
Note: Reefers have lower usable volume due to refrigeration gear.
Weight limits and road regulations: plan payloads to stay compliant
A fully loaded 20-foot container can weigh around 30,480 kg, including the container itself. But what you can actually put inside depends on local road rules. Usually, it's about 18,000–20,000 kg for a 20-foot container and 20,000+ kg for a 40-foot container.
Make sure the weight is spread out evenly and packed well. Shipping companies might turn down containers that aren't loaded right. Using blocks, braces, and padding helps keep your stuff safe and avoids problems during shipping.
Item | Typical measure | Why it matters |
LCL pricing | Per CBM (1 CBM min) | Predictable for small shipments; density can trigger weight billing |
20' container | ~33.2 CBM / ~10 pallets | Good for midsize loads; watch payload vs. road limits |
40' & 40' HC | ~67.6–76.4 CBM / ~20 pallets | Higher volume per transport cost; HC adds headroom |
Payload planning | Local regulations govern limits | Stay compliant to avoid fines and delays during transport |
Model total landed costs and compare all-in FCL vs. LCL offers to find the best rates and container load value.
Beyond standard containers: specialized ocean solutions for complex cargo
Need to ship cargo that's not standard size? We have ocean options for equipment that rolls, oversized or oddly-shaped items, goods needing specific temperatures, and combining shipments from multiple sources.
RO/RO for wheeled equipment: drive on, drive off efficiency
Use RO/RO for rolling assets like cars, trucks, or heavy machinery. These ships have enclosed decks and ramps so vehicles are driven or towed on and off, reducing lift costs and port time.
Breakbulk for oversized pieces: secure movement outside the box
If your stuff doesn't fit in a container, go with breakbulk. We'll get the cranes and gear needed to safely load your big items onto the ship.
Open tops, flat racks, and refrigerated options
Open tops and flat racks work well for oversized stuff. Refrigerated containers keep sensitive items at the right temperature the whole way.
Buyer consolidation & coastal shipping
Buyer consolidation combines multiple suppliers into a dedicated full container to lower cost and simplify customs. Coastal shipping can cut inland haul time and lower carbon and cost on suitable routes.
We match the right equipment and schedule to your cargo so complex shipments move smoothly from origin to last mile.
Documentation, customs clearance, and end-to-end visibility
Good paperwork and tracking are key to smooth shipments. Providers who handle documents well and understand border rules help avoid delays, saving time and money.
Accurate paperwork and shipment documentation to keep cargo moving
We make sure your paperwork is spot-on with accurate invoices, packing lists, and bills of lading, so you don't run into problems. We use the right codes and origin info to lower the chance of questions or extra inspections.
You'll see all the costs upfront—brokerage, drayage, and final delivery—so you can predict prices and give your customers solid quotes.
Customs brokerage and clearance: smooth border crossings
Dedicated customs brokerage anticipates regulatory requirements for duties, taxes, and admissibility. This makes customs clearance swift and predictable.
"Proactive regulatory updates and expert brokerage turn potential holds into routine paperwork."
Drayage and door delivery: port-to-door logistics without the hassle
We move containers to and from ports or terminals, either alone or with our other shipping services. We line up appointments and equipment with your warehouse hours so you avoid extra fees.
Get door-to-door delivery with real-time updates, so your team knows when to have staff ready. If something goes wrong, we'll find other routes or services to keep you on schedule.
For a quick guide on necessary paperwork and cross-modal rules, see our detailed resource on required documents for ocean and air moves: required documents for sea and air.
U.S.-focused trade lanes and speed options
U.S.-focused lanes combine predictable schedules with expedited choices to meet tight retail windows. We match lane speed to your priorities so high-turn SKUs move fast while bulk inventory stays cost-effective.
Trans-Atlantic Westbound to the United States: reliable scheduling
Pick TAWB services for reliable schedules that ship from big European ports to the U.S. These routes help keep stores stocked.
Trans-Pacific Eastbound expedited services: balance speed and cost
Use faster train options in place of air shipping to get things delivered quicker. For smaller loads, faster LCL shipping works when you don't have enough to fill a whole container.
Capacity assurance with leading carrier relationships and global network
We have solid relationships with carriers to guarantee space, even when things are busy. Our team works around the clock to fix issues, change bookings, and arrange transfers so your deliveries arrive on time.
- Blend modes with limited air or air freight uplifts for critical fills.
- Use buyer consolidation to form dedicated full containers from multiple suppliers.
- Gain lane-level insights—cutoffs, congestion, and equipment plans—for better dock and transport planning.
"Our global network turns market shifts into practical, U.S.-focused shipping solutions that keep customers stocked."
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