Logistics & shipping
FCL (Full Container Load)
A shipment that occupies a whole container, booked and priced per container rather than by volume.In FCL shipping one shipper's goods fill a dedicated container that is sealed at origin and opened at destination, avoiding the consolidation and extra handling of LCL. It is usually cheaper per unit for large volumes and faster, with a flat rate per 20-foot or 40-foot box regardless of how full it is.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
- FCL uses a whole container for one shipper at a flat per-box rate; LCL shares a container between shippers and charges by volume used.
- Is FCL cheaper than LCL?
- Per unit it usually is once the volume is large enough to fill a container; for small volumes LCL is more economical.