What is FCL & LCL? (2018)

What is FCL & LCL?

FCL refers to Full Container Load. It means a container will be used exclusively for your products.

LCL refers to Less than Container Load. It means different shipments from different customers will share one container. Don’t worry. You don’t need to find someone to share one container with you. The shipping agent or freight forwarder will do this themselves.
Very simple about the definition. But what are the differences between them?

FCL may be cheaper than LCL
LCL costs more than FCL per unit of freight. That’s because freight agents prefer a full container shipping -- it's easier for them to handle a FCL. For LCL, they have to consolidate different cargoes together and arrange multiple documents and other more handling.

FCL gets delivered more quickly than LCL while LCL may be delayed for various reasons
It’s more complicated for LCL, which requires additional steps: consolidating different shipments, processing multiple documents per container, and then sorting goods for each customer. At each step, there is potential for delay.

FCL may be safer than LCL
As by LCL, Your cargo will be exposed to a higher risk of damage or loss, as it will be exposed when the forwarder consolidates it with other cargoes at the port of loading, and exposed again at the destination. So it’s necessary and mandatory to print or stick the shipping mark on the outer carton when you shipping by LCL. Shipping mark is a written symbol or symbols to identify your goods from others.

LCL lets you keep inventory low
If you can not afford a full container of products, it makes sense to use LCL. LCL lets you ship in smaller volume, so you can keep your inventory low.

There is actually a formula to choose FCL or LCL.
 If 1cbm~15cbm, choose LCL.
 If over 15cbm, choose FCL without any hesitation.

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[homark]

As well as your pronunciation, you are good at setting complex topics straight. can't believe you are not a native speaker. I'm a mandarine speaker working in Bay area as an entry-lever import specialist. I've learned a lot from your vlog.

[ramonrubio]

You really help me to understand this concept, thanks for sharing Angus!

[luiscamarena]

Thank you your videos are very helpful

[raviamineni]

Thank you dear. THE Video is very helpful.

[khnabunthoeurn]

Thanks brother, it really important for me

[bmworacledng]

awesome, really easy to understand for me, keep it up <3

[farahtariq]

Hi, Very helpful for us kindly share air shpt detail

[ratrisarker]

Will you tell how percent customer is unsatisfied by shipping LCL considering damaging goods.

[tanousatallah]

thanks, I hope you make videos specially for Amazon starter, who want to ship small shipments (less 100kg)
and If give us way to calculate the approximately cost

[AeroAngle]

so who gives you the option to do FCL or LCL? the supplier or the freight forwarder? i heard people got scammed from LCL because they have to pay commissions and kickback (a lot of fees per cubic meters).

[PavanKumar-qtru]

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