What is FCL?
Full container load (FCL) means booking an entire shipping container for your goods only. The container is loaded at your supplier’s premises or a warehouse, sealed, and travels unopened to its destination, where it is delivered to your warehouse and unloaded. You pay a rate per container, whether it is full or not.
The alternative is LCL (less than container load), where your goods share a container with other shippers and you pay per cubic metre.
Core principle: With FCL you rent the whole box. Once you can fill most of it, it is usually cheaper, faster and safer than sharing.
Common container sizes
| Container | Approx. internal volume | Approx. EUR pallets (single layer) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ft standard | 33 m³ | 11 |
| 40 ft standard | 67 m³ | 23–24 |
| 40 ft high cube | 76 m³ | 23–24, with more height per pallet |
Weight limits vary by container and by road rules in the destination country, so heavy goods can fill a container’s weight capacity before its volume.
FCL vs LCL
| FCL | LCL | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Per container | Per cubic metre or tonne |
| Transit time | Faster, no consolidation stops | Several extra days for consolidation and deconsolidation |
| Handling | Sealed from origin to destination | Loaded and unloaded with other cargo |
| Best for | Larger, regular shipments | Small or first orders |
As a rule of thumb, FCL often becomes cheaper than LCL from somewhere around 13–15 m³, but it depends on current rates for the route, so compare both quotes.
What to plan for
Palletised or floor-loaded
Floor-loaded cartons use the space best but take hours to unload by hand at the warehouse.
Watch out for: Unloading a floor-loaded container costs more and slows dock-to-stock. Agree the loading method with your supplier and warehouse.
Free time at the port
Carriers allow a limited number of free days to collect and return the container.
Watch out for: Late pick-up or return leads to demurrage and detention charges.
Customs before delivery
The container must be cleared, or moved under T1 transit, before it can be delivered.
Why it matters: Have your EORI, commercial invoice and customs broker ready before the vessel arrives.
Example: A furniture brand ships 55 m³ of flat-pack cartons from China to Poland. Two LCL shipments would cost more and take longer, so it books one 40 ft container, asks the supplier to palletise the cartons, and books the delivery slot with its fulfilment centre a week before arrival.
See also Shipping from China to Europe.
Frequently asked questions
What does FCL stand for?
Full container load: booking a whole container for one shipper’s goods.
When is FCL cheaper than LCL?
Often from about 13–15 cubic metres, but it depends on current rates for the route. Compare quotes for both.
How many pallets fit in a 40 ft container?
About 23–24 EUR pallets in a single layer, depending on how they are loaded.
Do I have to fill the whole container?
No, but you pay for the whole container, so the cost per unit rises the less you fill it.
