FCL vs. LCL
Definition
FCL (Full Container Load) means you rent a whole shipping container. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your goods share a container with other shippers and you pay for the space you use.
Want a deeper explanation?
LCL is priced per cubic meter, so it is flexible for smaller orders but usually costs more per unit and adds handling time.
The crossover point depends on lanes and season. Watch for: order sizes that land just above an LCL load, where topping up to a full container would lower landed cost per unit.
Example
With 18 cubic meters of goods, LCL might cost $2,700 versus $3,500 for a 20-foot container. At 28 cubic meters, the full container becomes cheaper per unit.