FCL and LCL: Container Load Modes Compared

FCL (full container load) books an entire container for one shipper at a flat all-in price per box; LCL (less than container load) buys space in a consolidated container, billed per revenue ton on the weight-or-measurement basis (1 m3 or 1,000 kg, whichever is greater) plus container freight station handling at both ends. The crossing between them is computed from two current rates, not looked up: the all-in box rate plus the FCL fixed charges, less the LCL fixed charges, divided by the LCL rate per revenue ton. Across a plausible rate band on one lane that answer moves between roughly 8 and 28 CBM , and no tariff, index or survey supports the rule of thumb that puts it at 13 to 15.

The full article will cover the consolidation chain (CFS receipt, stuffing, deconsolidation and the days it adds), the destination-charge economics of cheap LCL headline rates, co-loading and master and house bill structures, damage and pilferage exposure differences, and how dense cargo interacts with the W/M rule and container payload limits on both sides of the decision. The break-even algebra and the worked cases are in CBM and chargeable weight .