Full container load (FCL)
A full container load (FCL) means one shipper uses a whole container. We book it with the shipping line, prepare the documents and coordinate the trucking at both ends. You get one plan to read before the cargo moves.
What it is
FCL stands for full container load. The container is yours alone: it is loaded at your door or warehouse, sealed, and not opened until it reaches the consignee, apart from any customs inspection on the way.
The common sizes are 20 ft, 40 ft and the 40 ft high-cube, which is about one foot taller. Limits vary by container type and shipping line, so we confirm them at booking. See the container sizes guide.
When to use it
- You have enough cargo to fill or nearly fill a 20 ft or 40 ft container.
- The cargo should not share space with other shippers, such as fragile or high-value goods.
- The cargo is heavy and you need to check the payload before you load.
What we handle
- Container booking with the shipping line
- Choice of container type: standard, high-cube or reefer (refrigerated)
- Bill of lading (B/L) instructions and shipping documents
- Collection of the empty container and its return after unloading
- Customs declarations, coordinated with licensed customs brokers
How it runs
- Booking: we confirm space with the shipping line and send you the booking details.
- Empty pickup: we arrange the truck that collects the empty container and takes it to your loading address.
- Loading and seal: you load, we collect the packing list, and the container is sealed. The seal number goes on the documents.
- Documents: we prepare the shipping instructions, check them against the packing list and the invoice, and coordinate the declarations.
- Delivery: the container goes to the port, sails, and is trucked to the consignee, with the empty returned.
What to send us for a quote
| Detail | Why we ask |
|---|---|
| Cargo description | So we pick the right container type and flag special handling |
| Gross weight | Containers have a weight limit, and trucks and roads have their own |
| Volume in CBM (cubic metres) | To check the cargo fits one container or needs two |
| Container type, if known | 20 ft, 40 ft, high-cube or reefer changes the booking |
| Port or address at each end | To plan the trucking and the port pair |
Good to know
- Charges beyond the ocean freight are common: terminal handling charges (THC) at the port, documentation fees, and fuel or currency surcharges. Our freight quote guide lists them.
- Time in the port is limited. Once the free days run out, the shipping line can charge demurrage (container kept in the terminal) or detention (container kept outside it).
- Verified gross mass (VGM), the signed container weight, is required before the container can be loaded onto a vessel. Late or wrong VGM often causes a rolled booking.
Questions
Can I use FCL if I do not fill the whole container?
Yes. You pay for the container, not the cargo volume. If the load is small, LCL may suit better, and we can quote both so you can compare.
Who loads the container?
Usually the shipper or the supplier, at their own premises. If you want it loaded and secured for you, see container stuffing.