When shipping cargo in containers, you have two basic options – LCL vs FCL. However, the choice really depends on how much product you have to ship.
You didn’t think you were going to get off that easy, did you? No way! Because not only does the size of your load matter… so does the size of the container. That’s right, there are different sizes.
Are you starting to cross your brows in confusion?
Don’t worry. We know that LCL and FCL is not simple. Thus, in order to help you figure out what you need, let’s begin by defining what LCL and FCL actually mean.
LCL vs FCL – how should I ship my cargo?
FLC stands for ‘Full container load’ in ‘FCL vs LCL’
This is easy as ABC. It simply means that whatever container size you choose, you’re the only user, no one else. You can fill it with goods, half-fill it, or even pack it with a single roll of toilet paper if you choose.
LLC stands for ‘Less container load’ in ‘FCL vs LCL’
Ah, here is where it gets a little more involved. In LCL shipments, you’re sharing the container with another shipper. It could be half and half or it could be three of your share, such as 33%.
Given this option, it’s definitely a good idea to make maximum use of your available space. So plan wisely.
How to calculate CBM (cubic meters) when comparing FCL vs LCL
In order to figure out how much things cost, let’s talk a little about calculating your cubic meters. It should be noted that cargo containers range from 8 to 56 feet in length. However, it is the 20 and 40 feet that are the most common. And except for one type, each container is 8 feet wide by 8 feet tall.
Why are we telling you this?
Because calculating your CBM is how a load is priced, and you need to know the size of the container as well as the size of your load.
For FCL loads, this doesn’t matter – you just pay per container and it’s simple. For LCL loads, though, you pay by volume and so this is where the measurements come in.
In order to make this as simple as possible, let’s assume you’re buying half of a 40 foot container. This means that you have 2,560 cubic feet, or about 800 cubic meters of space to work with.
Now, to calculate cbm, all you have to do is measure the width, height and length of your load (in centimetres) and then divide by 6,000 to get the volume in kilograms. This can be done by measuring the packages or boxes individually and multiplying. So, let’s say that you’re shipping boxes that are exactly 1 meter on a side. You have 800 of them, so your volume in cubic meters is 800 cubic meters multiplied by .006 which gives you a volume weight of 4.8 metric tons.
Lucky you, your consignment is exactly the right size. Of course, if your load was 950 cubic meters, you’d need to purchase a greater percentage of the container.
What’s the ideal situation to use LCL?
The fact is that like most things in life, the larger the container, the cheaper each cubic meter of space becomes. So, while you might have just enough product for a 20 foot container, you could save money by sharing a 40 foot container with someone else. This is when an LCL is the most beneficial.
You may or may not be able to find another exporter / importer who has exactly half of a 40 footer worth of cargo – but then again, that’s where we come in. As part of our service, we help shippers, like yourself, consolidate their cargo so they can get the lowest possible price.
Put an end to your confusion. Read this article to know the best choice between LCL vs FCL
Packing tips
When it comes to packing a cargo container, the rule is “use every available cubic centimetre.” You don’t want to leave any air in there!
Think of it like this: You have 8 pallets of Ramen Noodles… try not to eat them all yourself… each pallet is 4 feet square at the base, roughly. Well, you figure that you must need 16 feet of cargo container, right? 4 feet X 4 = 16, and you can put two pallets side by side.
However, if you were to break those pallets down and pack them by hand, you could get that length down to only 10 feet or maybe 11 feet or so. That’s because the product sitting on the pallets isn’t exactly the size of the pallet base… and those pallets themselves are never exactly perfect.
A little hand-packing can save you a lot of money in space, especially if you had 20 pallets to ship!
Flat rack or open top?
Before we go, we just wanted to throw you one more curve. Suppose you have a cargo load that’s taller than 8 feet? What do you do? Well, you have two options. There are two types of containers made for tall cargo.
Open top
Open top is just what it sounds like – a container with only a tarp covering it. However, even this has structural support bows at the top that both support the tarp and maintain container strength. If your load requires that most of these be taken off, then you probably want to switch to a different type of container.
A spine car with a 20 ft tank container and an open-top 20 ft container with canvas cover
Flat rack
The flat rack is simply a flat surface upon which cargo can be stacked. There is no height restriction. Of course, as you might expect, these two options cost more because they’re not standard in size and require special handling and special storage aboard ship.
A rigid frame with the flat rack container
Adam’s advice on FCL vs LCL and what’s is the better option
There are general rules that can be applied based on which is better – LCL vs FCL. This can relate to the following aspects:
- Break even point
- Delivery requirements
- Potential damage that could be caused if moved in a mixed container
As a general rule, we prefer anything below 14 cbm to be sent as LCL and anything above to be sent via FCL. However it is always best to contact your FFQO customer service operator to ensure you are using the ideal option for you and your business.
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