An entire container for a single shipment (FCL). Economical once the quantity largely fills a container.
FCL (Full Container Load) denotes an entire container for a single shipment. Once the quantity largely fills a container, FCL is usually the most economical option.
With FCL a container is packed and sealed exclusively for one shipment — regardless of whether it is physically completely full. The usual sizes are 20- and 40-foot containers with defined volume and weight limits.
Why this matters for your import.
Once your quantity largely fills a container, FCL is usually cheaper and faster to handle than a part load — and the goods stay under one seal all the way to the destination.
How you'll come across the term.
If your order quantity nearly reaches a full container, we recommend FCL — the unit-cost advantage over a part load is then clear.
Planning a container over the weight limit. Sometimes the volume is exhausted before the weight, sometimes the reverse with heavy goods; we check both.