Consolidated cargo (LCL) or full container (FCL)? How to decide
How each option is charged, from what volume a full container pays off, how much time consolidation adds and how to fill a container with products from several factories.
Supro Group team
One of the first decisions in an import from China is how the cargo travels: sharing a container with other importers (LCL, consolidated cargo) or in a container just for you (FCL, full container). The answer depends mainly on volume, but not only on the freight.
How each option is charged
- LCL: you pay per cubic meter (or per ton, whichever is greater). On top of that there are consolidation charges in China and deconsolidation charges at destination, which are usually higher per m³ than for a full container.
- FCL: you pay a fixed price per container, whether you fill it or not. Port and transport charges are per container.
| Container | Approximate usable volume | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 20' (20GP) | about 28 m³ | Medium-sized orders or heavy goods |
| 40' (40GP) | about 58 m³ | Large orders |
| 40' high cube (40HQ) | about 68 m³ | Light, bulky goods; usually costs almost the same as a 40GP |
From what volume a full container pays off
As a rule of thumb, below about 13–15 m³ consolidated cargo is usually the better choice; above that, a 20' container starts to cost the same or less, especially once destination charges are added. Between those values, compare complete door-to-door quotes, not just the ocean freight.
Always compare the total cost to your warehouse. A cheap LCL freight rate can hide high deconsolidation charges at the destination port.
Time and risk
- LCL adds days: the cargo waits for the container to be filled and is then deconsolidated at destination. Allow 5 to 10 days more than with FCL.
- In LCL the cargo is handled more times, with a higher risk of damage; packaging must be sturdier.
- In FCL the container is loaded and sealed in China and opened at your destination.
- If another importer in the same container has a customs problem, your cargo can be delayed.
The middle option: filling one container with several suppliers
Many importers buy products from several factories that, separately, don't fill a container. The solution is to gather the orders in a warehouse in China and load a single full container. That way you pay FCL freight, receive a single shipment and go through a single customs clearance. It is one of the services we are most often asked to coordinate at Supro.
Don't forget the weight
Containers also have a weight limit. With heavy goods (ceramics, metal, glass) the container fills up by weight before volume, and a 20' may be a better choice than a 40'. Ask for the quote to state the gross weight per carton.
Summary
- Less than about 13–15 m³: usually LCL.
- More than 15 m³: compare with a 20'; from about 30 m³, with a 40' or 40HQ.
- LCL adds 5–10 days and more handling; FCL travels sealed.
- Several factories can fill a single container if the goods are consolidated in China.
Keep reading