FCL (Full Container Load) means you book an entire container; LCL (Less than Container Load) means you share one and pay for the space you use. FCL is cheaper per unit and faster to clear once you're filling roughly half a container or more; LCL wins for smaller consignments. The break-even is usually around 13–15 cubic metres.
What FCL and LCL actually mean
With FCL you pay a flat rate for a whole container (typically 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high-cube) regardless of how full it is. With LCL, your cargo is consolidated with other shippers' goods and you pay per cubic metre. Both are core to sea freight; the right one depends almost entirely on your volume.
How each is priced
FCL is a fixed price per container, so your cost-per-unit falls the more you load. LCL is priced on volume (or weight, whichever is greater), plus consolidation and deconsolidation handling at each end. That handling is why LCL's headline per-cubic-metre rate can be misleading — the accessorials add up.
The break-even point
As a rule of thumb, once your shipment reaches roughly 13–15 cubic metres (around half a 20ft container), FCL usually becomes cheaper and faster. Below that, LCL is normally the better value. Two other factors push you toward FCL earlier: fragile goods (less handling means less damage) and tight timelines (FCL skips the consolidation wait).
Quick check: if you're filling half a container or more, shipping fragile goods, or working to a deadline, price FCL first. Otherwise, start with LCL.
Beyond price: speed and risk
FCL containers are sealed at origin and opened at destination, so there's less handling, lower damage risk and faster customs clearance. LCL involves consolidation and deconsolidation, which adds days and touchpoints. For high-value or fragile cargo, that difference often justifies FCL even below the volume break-even.
Frequently asked questions
What size are shipping containers?
The most common are 20ft (~33 cubic metres), 40ft (~67 cubic metres) and 40ft high-cube (~76 cubic metres). We'll advise which fits your volume best when we quote.
Is LCL always slower than FCL?
Usually, yes — LCL adds consolidation at origin and deconsolidation at destination, which typically adds several days versus a sealed FCL container.
Can WSUK handle both FCL and LCL?
Yes. Through our worldwide freight partners we arrange both full and shared container loads, with customs documentation and container tracking included. See our sea freight page.
Do you offer door-to-door on sea freight?
Yes — we arrange port collections and full door-to-door delivery, so your container is managed from origin to your premises.