Choose FCL when your cargo fills, or nearly fills, a container or needs a sealed door-to-door box. Choose LCL when you have a smaller shipment that can share a container with other shippers.
What is FCL?
In a full container load the whole container is used by a single shipper. The container is loaded and sealed at the origin and stays sealed until it reaches the consignee, which means less handling and a clearer line of responsibility.
What is LCL?
In a less than container load shipment, goods from several shippers are consolidated in one container. You pay for the space your cargo uses instead of the whole container. The goods are handled at consolidation and deconsolidation points, so packaging matters.
How do you decide?
Think about volume, handling and timing. A large volume usually points to FCL. A small or irregular shipment often points to LCL. Fragile or high-value goods may be better in their own container even if it is not full.
A cargo volume calculation helps you see how much space your cargo really needs before you decide. Our tools section has a free volume calculator.