LCL and FCL Shipping Defined | LCL vs. FCL Comparison | The Bottom Line on LCL and FCL Differences | Ship LCL and FCL With Kesco Logistics
If you’ve decided that ocean freight is the right type of shipment for your order, there is one more decision you have to make — should you transport your order by Less than Container Load (LCL) or Full Container Load (FCL)? Both shipment methods have their advantages but are better suited for different situations. Learn more about how LCL and FCL differ and what the benefits and considerations of each transport method are below.
LCL and FCL Shipping Defined
The primary difference between the two main types of ocean freight shipping lies within the volume that is being shipped. Container loads differ in size depending on where you are shipping out from and which types of cargo containers are available. Typically, a container load is either 20-feet, 40-feet or 45-feet long, with differing heights and widths.
To ship FCL, your products don’t necessarily need to fill the whole container. This term just means the container you use will only house your goods. With LCL shipping, your products will be consolidated with others.
LCL vs. FCL Comparison
While the most obvious factor that sets LCL and FCL apart is the volume of space they take up within a container, there are several key differences to understand between the two.
Shipment Size
Whether your goods will consume the whole container or less than the full container, the most obvious difference between FCL and LCL shipping is the shipment’s size or volume. Cargo containers are filled by cubic meters (CBM). Typically, the minimum for shipping any goods in an LCL is 1 CBM. To understand what this looks like in the common container sizes, see these numbers:
- 20-foot containers usually hold ~25-28 CBM of goods
- 40-foot containers can hold ~54-58 CBM of items
A general rule of thumb is that if you have a smaller shipment or a shipment that will only take up a portion of a given container, it’s best to ship LCL. However, there are exceptions to this rule. One reason you may ship FCL even if your goods only take up 38 CBM out of an available 55 CBM is how the pricing is calculated for each type of shipment.
Pricing
Shipping LCL makes sense for small loads. However, if you are shipping goods that do not take up a full container but the volume is over half of the available space, you may want to compare the price difference. The price rate per CBM is often higher in Less than Container Loads.
Using the 38 CBM example, let’s say the shipping cost per cubic meter for an LCL shipment is $1.50. If you decided to ship LCL, the cost for the container space would be $57.00. However, FCL shipping is always priced at a flat rate. So if a 40-foot container that can hold 55 CBM of goods costs $55.00, it makes sense to ship your 38 CBM of goods as a full container load.
If your shipment was only 36 CBM, it would cost $54.00 to ship LCL. In this case, it would make more sense to ship LCL than pay $55.00 to utilize a full container.
While these example prices are not necessarily accurate for true shipments, this scenario demonstrates how the ratio of cost per CBM can affect your final call.
Time to Transport
Although price is often the determining factor for businesses, there are a few other factors to consider when comparing LCL and FCL shipping. Sometimes, the time it takes to transport goods is a vital part of the equation. In general, both LCL and FCL shipment timelines are on the longer end compared to other methods of transport, like air freight. Ocean freight typically takes around a month to reach its final destination, but this can vary.
When you specifically ship FCL, orders often arrive a bit faster than those shipped LCL. This is because LCL shipments often need to go through checkpoints and be re- or de-consolidated. The difference in time to arrival is usually only a few days. However, some professionals rely on the standard timeline free of wavering that FCL shipping provides.
There are also expedited options available for certain LCL shipments. This type of ocean freight can arrive in as little as eight days. When choosing between LCL and FCL shipping, it’s important to look into the different timelines available and decide how much wiggle room you have to work with.
Handling
Packaging security is another important thing to consider when transporting your goods. Due to the more frequent checkpoints LCL shipments go through, Less Than Container Loads are handled by more people and rearranged more often than loads placed in FCL containers. Damage to your goods is unlikely since those handling the packages are trained in this line of work. However, each time a package comes in contact with another person or environment, there is always the potential risk of orders getting blemished or mixed up with others.
Since FCL shipments are loaded only with items from your shipment, you have more control over how each item is packaged and where it is placed within the container. The container does not need to be opened until it reaches its destination, either, as it is on a direct path with no consolidation checkpoints.
The Bottom Line on LCL and FCL Differences
In summary, LCL shipments are ideal for those with smaller orders or those who are okay with a slightly longer transmit timeline. LCL shipping can provide a cheaper method of packing orders and offers various timeline options. FCL shipments are more cost-effective regarding price per CBM, provide a standard timeline shorter than that of standard LCL shipments and are handled by far fewer individuals, significantly lowering the risk of damage to your goods.
In most cases, the preferred transport method depends on a case-by-case situation. You’ll first want to figure out the shipping cost. Typically, businesses choose the option that makes the most financial sense. However, if you are willing to pay more for extra security or an expedited timeline, either FCL or LCL can end up being the better choice for your shipment.
Ship LCL and FCL With Kesco Logistics
Kesco Logistics works with a reliable network of global carriers to provide a wide range of shipping lines that transport both LCL and FCL orders. Our ocean freight services provide transportation for startup businesses, retail companies, apparel and footwear, IT assets and more. Whether you need refrigerated cargo or storage for overweight items, we can help you find the best solution for your shipment.
Contact us to learn more about our logistics services and how we can keep your business operating without disruptions. If you’re still not sure whether LCL or FCL shipping is right for your organization, our team can also help you discover the best solution for your shipment.
