What FCL means
FCL — Full Container Load — means your cargo occupies a container exclusively. Nobody else shares it, so there are fewer handlings, a shorter chain of custody and far less that can go wrong between the factory and your warehouse.
The container is sealed at origin and that same seal is broken at destination, usually in front of customs. For high-value, fragile or sensitive cargo that difference matters more than the freight rate.
When FCL is the right call
- Your cargo is over roughly 15 CBM, where a full box often costs less per cubic metre than consolidated space
- You need the shortest possible transit: no waiting for the consolidator to fill the container
- The goods are fragile, high-value or cannot be stacked with third-party cargo
- You import regularly and want a predictable, repeatable cost per shipment
Container sizes
| Type | Internal capacity | Max payload | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20' Dry | ≈ 33 CBM | ≈ 28,000 kg | Dense cargo: tiles, machinery, parts |
| 40' Dry | ≈ 67 CBM | ≈ 26,000 kg | Volume cargo: furniture, packaging |
| 40' High Cube | ≈ 76 CBM | ≈ 26,000 kg | Light, bulky cargo |
| 20' / 40' Reefer | ≈ 28 / 59 CBM | ≈ 27,000 / 25,000 kg | Temperature-controlled |
| Open Top / Flat Rack | varies | varies | Out-of-gauge and project cargo |
How a shipment runs
- We quote and book space with the carrier for a specific sailing
- The container is positioned at origin for loading and sealed
- We review the Bill of Lading and the commercial documents before departure
- You follow the vessel's real position in the client portal
- Our in-house broker clears customs on arrival
- We truck the container to your address and return the empty
Demurrage and detention, before they bite
The free days the carrier grants you at destination are finite, and the charge that starts when they run out is the single most common surprise in an import. We tell you up front how many free days your contract has, and we send an alert 48 hours before arrival so you can arrange collection in time rather than after the fact.
Frequently asked questions
From what volume is FCL worth it?
As a rule of thumb, from around 15 CBM a 20' container usually beats consolidated cargo on cost per cubic metre, and it is always faster. Below that, LCL tends to win.
How many free days do I get at destination?
It depends on the carrier and the contract, typically between 5 and 14 calendar days. We confirm the exact figure when we quote, and we alert you before arrival so demurrage never catches you out.
Can I load the container myself at origin?
Yes. We can position an empty container at your supplier's facility for loading, or we can load it at a warehouse at origin. The seal number goes on the Bill of Lading either way.
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