FCL and LCL are two common terms used in shipping under the export and import trade of international businesses.
Here's a breakdown of what these terms mean and the benefits of each shipping type.
The short form FCL in shipping stands for the term 'Full Container Load'. This means that a shipment occupies the entire space of a container, without having to share it with other shippers. In an FCL cargo, the complete goods in the container are owned by one shipper.
Shipping lines offer a variety of containers that differ in size and function:
The counter term is LCL – 'Less than Container Load'.
The term is used to describe the transportation of small ocean-freight shipments, which do not require the full capacity of a container. This is why an LCL container is also called a 'consolidated container'.
LCL (Less than Container Load) is a flexible and cost-effective option for transporting smaller, less time-critical shipments between the world’s major ports.
This flexible shipping method is suitable for everything from a small parcel to a large shipment. The advantage is that you can get your goods on their way as soon as they are ready, instead of having to wait until your goods fill a complete container.
Remember that in the case of LCL you can't decide what other types of cargo you share the container with. In addition, there may be delays beyond your control, due to the fact that the container is used by several parties.Shipping companies often offer fixed departure times with guaranteed cargo space on the most important routes.
