Key Aspects of FCL

• Exclusive Use: The container is dedicated to one shipper’s goods only and is not shared with shipments from other parties, which distinguishes it from Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shipping.
• Capacity: The container does not need to be physically full to be considered an FCL shipment; the shipper pays a flat rate for the entire container space, regardless of whether every square meter is utilized.
• Security & Handling: FCL shipments offer a lower risk of damage, contamination, or theft because the container is sealed at the origin (e.g., the factory or warehouse) and generally remains sealed until it reaches its final destination, minimizing handling at intermediate points.
• Transit Time: FCL shipments typically have faster transit times compared to LCL because they do not require the additional time for consolidation (combining goods at origin) and deconsolidation (separating goods at destination) processes.
• Cost Efficiency: While the total cost of an FCL shipment is higher than an LCL shipment, it is often more cost-effective on a per-unit or per-volume basis for large shipments (generally over 13-15 cubic meters).
• Ideal for: FCL is best suited for large volumes of goods, high-value cargo, fragile items, or shipments that are time-sensitive or require specific conditions (like refrigeration or handling of hazardous materials).