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FCL (Full Container Load): All contents are consigned from one consignor. That means shipments occupies the entire space of a container, the complete goods in the container are for one consignee.
Full container load (FCL) means that all of the goods inside the shipping container are for one consignee and the consignee will be responsible for all costs of collecting the container from the wharf, delivering the container to your premise and then returning the empty container to the wharf.
FCL shipments don’t need to be loaded and unloaded together with other shipments, which saves transit time.
Sealing containers at factory or at warehouse means less handling and fewer opportunities for damage.
Paying the FCL flat fee for larger shipments is cheaper than the unit price on LCL.
LCL (Less than Container Load): A consignment that does not occupy the full space available in the container on its own, that is consolidated with one or more consignments in the container.
LCL is definitely a flexible and cost-effective option for transporting smaller, less time-critical requirement. This flexible shipping method is suitable for everything from a small parcel to a large shipment. The advantage is that you can get your goods on their way as soon as they are ready, instead of having to wait until your goods fill a complete container.
Remember that in the case of LCL you can't decide what other types of cargo you share the container with. In addition, there may be delays beyond your control, due to the fact that the container is used by several parties.
Shipping companies often offer fixed departure times with guaranteed cargo space on the most important routes.
The two crucial factors to consider when choosing between FCL and LCL are the weight and dimensions of the shipment. For example, if the shipment consists of only one or a few pallets, it may be cheaper to ship them by LCL.
But you also have to consider the nature of your shipment: Do you request less loading and unloading procedures? Paying the FCL flat fee for larger shipments is cheaper than the unit price on LCL.
