In today’s logistical landscape, choosing between a full container and a shared one is not just a matter of volume; it is a strategic decision that impacts cash flow, product integrity, and final customer satisfaction.
The Technical “Tipping Point”: When is FCL cheaper even with empty space?
While the original baseline often cites a range of 13 to 15 cubic meters (CBM), freight fluctuations in 2024 and 2025 suggest that this break-even point can be even lower.
The 10-12 CBM Rule: On high-demand routes (such as Asia-Latin America), if your cargo exceeds 10-12 CBM, it is imperative to quote a 20-foot container (FCL).
Flat Rate vs. W/M: FCL is paid per container unit, whereas LCL is billed based on Weight or Measure (W/M). In LCL, if your goods are very heavy but take up little space (or vice versa), costs can skyrocket, often exceeding the price of a full container where weight does not penalize the ocean freight cost as heavily.
Hidden Costs: What you don’t see in the initial quote
One of the biggest mistakes is comparing only the “ocean freight.” The true cost is revealed at the port of destination.
CFS (Container Freight Station) Charges: This fee is exclusive to LCL. It includes handling, opening the container, and cargo segregation. In many ports, these costs are fixed per CBM and can be extremely high, causing a 14 CBM LCL shipment to end up costing more than a 20-foot container where these deconsolidation fees do not apply.
Customs Delay Risks: In an LCL container, if another importer’s goods have documentation issues or are physically inspected, the entire container is held up. This can generate unforeseen storage expenses for you—a risk that disappears with FCL, as you have total control over your own documentation.
Master Strategy: Buyer’s Consolidation
If you have multiple suppliers in the same region but none of them fill a container, do not limit yourself to traditional LCL.
How it works: Instead of each supplier sending a separate LCL shipment (paying multiple fixed documentation and handling fees), you can request a consolidation service. Your suppliers send the cargo to a central warehouse (such as NCVEN in Houston), where a single FCL container is assembled specifically for you.
Advantages: You save up to 30% in destination port costs, reduce the risk of damage due to less handling, and simplify your customs process into a single import entry.
Security and “Touch Points”
Cargo integrity is an indirect cost.
LCL: Your merchandise is handled at least five times more than in FCL (loading at the factory, unloading at the origin warehouse, loading into the container, unloading at destination, loading onto the final truck). Every “touch” is an opportunity for damage.
FCL: The container is sealed at the origin and only opened at your facilities. This drastically reduces insurance premiums and the risk of shrinkage or loss.
The Incoterms Factor: Who is in control?
The choice between FCL and LCL also depends on who controls the logistics:
If you buy under EXW or FOB terms, you decide the method. This is where expert advice from a partner like NCVEN is vital to compare the “door-to-door” cost.
If the supplier insists on shipping LCL under CIF or CFR terms, be cautious: often the freight appears “free” or very cheap, but the deconsolidation charges at destination are usually inflated to compensate for the freight cost at origin.
Optimizing costs is not simply about searching for the lowest rate, but about understanding the total cost structure. A detailed analysis of local charges, your shipping frequency, and the nature of your products can save you thousands of dollars annually.