LCL vs FCL is the first choice to make when shipping from China by sea. With LCL (less than container load) you share a container and pay for the space your cartons take. With FCL (full container load) you book a whole 20ft or 40ft container. This guide compares cost, transit time and cargo safety, shows the volume at which a full container usually becomes cheaper, and lists the extra charges to check before you book.
Key points
• LCL is charged per cubic metre (CBM), or per tonne if the cargo is heavy. FCL is charged per container, whatever is inside.
• Somewhere between about 13 and 28 CBM, a full container becomes the better deal. Where exactly depends on the route and the season, so compare both prices from about 13 CBM.
• LCL usually takes about 5–7 days longer door to door, because cargo is consolidated before sailing and unpacked after arrival.
• FCL is handled less: the container is sealed at loading and opened at your door or warehouse.
• Compare door-to-door quotes. LCL destination charges and FCL demurrage can change which option is cheaper.
LCL vs FCL at a Glance
| LCL (shared container) | FCL (full container) | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Per CBM, or per tonne if heavier (whichever is greater); usually a minimum of 1 CBM | A fixed price per 20ft or 40ft container |
| Best for | About 1–15 CBM, a few pallets or cartons | About 15 CBM and more, or high-value and fragile goods |
| Transit time | About 5–7 days longer door to door | Faster: no consolidation or unpacking |
| Handling | Loaded and unloaded with other shippers’ cargo | Sealed at loading, opened at destination |
| Destination charges | Unpacking and warehouse fees per CBM | Terminal handling per container; demurrage if the container is kept too long |
| Customs risk | A problem with another shipper’s cargo can delay the whole container | Only your own cargo and documents |
What Is LCL Shipping?
LCL means your cargo shares a container with goods from other shippers. You deliver your cartons or pallets to a consolidation warehouse near the port, where they are loaded with other cargo going to the same destination. After the ship arrives, the container goes to a warehouse at the destination, is unpacked, and your cargo is released for customs clearance and delivery.
LCL is priced on volume or weight, whichever is greater: usually 1 CBM is compared with 1,000 kg. Most sea freight cargo is light for its size, so you pay per CBM. See how to calculate CBM. It is the right choice for a first order, samples in bulk, restocks of a few pallets, or anything below about 13 CBM.
What Is FCL Shipping?
FCL means you book a whole container for your goods only. The container is delivered empty to the factory or warehouse, loaded and sealed, and travels as one unit until it is opened at the destination. You pay the same for the container whether it is half full or completely full, so the cost per unit falls as you load more.
| Container | Inside size (approx.) | Usable volume | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft (20GP) | 5.9 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | about 25–28 CBM | Heavy goods such as tiles, machinery and metal parts |
| 40ft (40GP) | 12.0 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | about 55–58 CBM | Large orders of general cargo |
| 40ft high cube (40HQ) | 12.0 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | about 65–68 CBM | Light, bulky goods such as furniture, textiles and plastics |
Usable volume is lower than the inside volume because cartons never fill every gap. Heavy cargo often reaches the container’s weight limit before it is full, which is why heavy goods usually go in 20ft containers.
When Does FCL Become Cheaper Than LCL?
Below about 13 CBM, LCL is almost always cheaper, because you pay only for your share of the space. Above that, the answer depends on the route. On routes where container rates are low compared with LCL rates, a full 20ft can win from about 13–15 CBM. On routes where container rates are high, such as China to the USA in 2026, LCL freight can stay cheaper well past 15 CBM, and a full container wins mainly on speed, safety and lower destination charges. Ask for both prices whenever you are between about 13 and 28 CBM.
Example with current rates
Main sea freight from South China in November 2026, before origin and destination charges:
| Destination | LCL per CBM | 20ft container | 40ft container |
|---|---|---|---|
| US West Coast | $120–150 | $6,800–8,000 | $7,600–8,500 |
| Canada (Vancouver) | $140–190 | $7,000–8,300 | $8,400–9,800 |
| United Kingdom | $60–90 | $2,100–2,600 | $3,550–4,050 |
To compare, multiply your CBM by the LCL rate, then add the LCL destination charges (unpacking and warehouse handling, often charged per CBM). Compare that with the container price plus its destination charges. Then weigh the extra week LCL usually takes and the extra handling. For more on each, see LCL shipping from China and container shipping costs.
Which option usually suits your volume
A guide for general cargo. Heavy goods may need a 20ft because of weight limits, and a 40ft usually costs only 10–25% more than a 20ft, so it can make sense from well below 28 CBM.
Not sure of your volume? Multiply carton length × width × height in metres, then by the number of cartons, or use our freight calculator.
Transit Time and Cargo Safety
FCL is faster. A full container is loaded at the factory or our warehouse, sealed, and goes straight from the ship to the truck or train after customs release. An LCL shipment waits at the consolidation warehouse until the container is closed, then waits again at the destination to be unpacked. Door to door, LCL usually takes about 5–7 days longer than FCL on the same route. See shipping time from China to the USA for typical times by route.
FCL is also handled less. LCL cartons are moved by forklift at least twice more than in a full container, and they share space with other cargo. Use strong export cartons, pallets and stretch wrap for LCL, and keep fragile or high-value goods in FCL when the volume allows.
LCL vs FCL Transit Times by Destination
| Destination | FCL door to door | LCL door to door |
|---|---|---|
| US West Coast | 25–35 days | 30–40 days |
| US East Coast and Midwest | 30–45 days | 40–50 days |
| Canada (West) | 25–35 days | 30–40 days |
| United Kingdom | 40–55 days | 45–60 days |
| Germany and North Europe | 40–55 days | 45–60 days |
Two recent shipments for our US customers show the difference: a full container of furniture reached Los Angeles 38 days after the first pickup, while an LCL shipment of storage boxes and kitchen racks reached New York in 45 days.
Hidden Costs to Check Before You Book
- LCL destination charges: unpacking, warehouse handling and delivery order fees are often charged per CBM at the destination and can be a large part of a small shipment’s cost.
- Minimum charge: most LCL quotes charge at least 1 CBM, so very small shipments may be cheaper by air or express.
- Demurrage and detention (FCL): demurrage is charged when a container stays at the port terminal beyond the free days; detention when you keep the container outside the port too long. Have customs documents ready before arrival. See demurrage and detention charges.
- Delivery: some quotes stop at the port. Check whether trucking to your address is included.
Our guides to the cheapest way to ship from China and the cost to ship a container from China explain the other costs in a sea freight quote.
Checklist: LCL or FCL?
- Total CBM and weight of the shipment, including all suppliers.
- Below about 13 CBM: start with LCL. Between about 13 and 28 CBM: ask for both prices.
- Heavy goods: check the weight limit for a 20ft and for road delivery at destination.
- Fragile or high-value goods: lean towards FCL.
- Deadline: FCL is usually about a week faster door to door.
- Delivery address: can it receive a full container, or only pallets?
- Compare door-to-door totals, not only the freight rate.
Several Suppliers? Consolidate First
If you buy from several factories, each order on its own may be a small LCL shipment. Collected and combined in one warehouse, they can fill a 20ft or 40ft container, which is cheaper per unit, faster and handled less. We collect from your suppliers across South China and consolidate in our warehouse in Dongguan. See pickup and consolidation.
How JIEYI Ships LCL and FCL from China
We are a freight forwarder in Dongguan, close to the ports of Shenzhen and Guangzhou, shipping LCL and FCL to the USA, Canada, the UK and Europe.
- LCL and FCL compared for you: send us your cartons and volume, and we quote both when you are near the turning point.
- Door to door: pickup, export customs, sea freight, import clearance and delivery, with DDP available.
- Consolidation: goods from several suppliers combined into one shipment.
Read more about our sea freight service.
New to freight jargon? Our shipping terms glossary explains more than 60 common terms in plain English.
Want to know how to follow an FCL or LCL shipment once it sails? Read our guide on how to track a shipment from China.
Shared-container services are most frequent from the biggest ports. See the major ports in China and which suppliers each one serves.
Shipping LCL or FCL from Shenzhen? See how cargo gets to the Port of Yantian.
For a full guide to how LCL works, what it costs and how long it takes, see LCL shipping from China.
LCL vs FCL: FAQ
Is LCL cheaper than FCL?
For small volumes, yes. Below about 13 CBM, LCL usually costs less because you pay only for your space. Between about 13 and 28 CBM it depends on the route, so compare both prices. A full container is always faster and handled less.
How is LCL shipping charged?
By volume or weight, whichever is greater. One cubic metre is usually compared with 1,000 kg, so most cargo is charged per CBM, often with a minimum of 1 CBM. Destination charges are added on top.
How much longer does LCL take than FCL?
Usually about 5–7 days longer door to door, because the cargo waits to be consolidated before sailing and to be unpacked after arrival.
Should I choose a 20ft or 40ft container?
A 20ft holds about 25–28 CBM and suits heavy goods. A 40ft holds about 55–58 CBM, and a 40ft high cube about 65–68 CBM. A 40ft usually costs only 10–25% more than a 20ft, so for light, bulky goods it is much cheaper per unit.
Can I ship part of my order LCL and the rest FCL?
Yes. Many importers send a full container of the main stock and an LCL or air shipment of urgent items, so they can start selling earlier.
What is a CFS in LCL shipping?
A container freight station: the warehouse where LCL cargo is received and loaded into containers at origin, and unpacked and released at destination.
Can a full container be loaded at your warehouse instead of the factory?
Yes. Goods can be delivered to our warehouse and loaded there, which is how cargo from several suppliers is combined into one container. We can photograph the loading for you.
Need exact sizes? See our guide to shipping container dimensions for 20ft, 40ft and 40HC containers, including pallet counts.
Checked on November 4, 2026. Volumes are typical figures for general cargo; the best option depends on your cargo, route and season. Send us your cartons and we will compare LCL and FCL for your shipment.
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