FCL vs LCL: full container load vs shared container
If you're arranging an import, you'll quickly meet two acronyms: FCL and LCL. They describe how your goods travel inside a shipping container, and the choice affects cost, handling and how your cargo arrives. Here's the difference in plain terms.
What FCL means
FCL stands for Full Container Load. Your goods have a whole container to themselves, whether or not they completely fill it. It's the usual choice when you have enough cargo to justify a full container, and it means your goods aren't mixed with anyone else's.
What LCL means
LCL stands for Less than Container Load. Your goods share a container with cargo from other shippers, and you pay for the space you use. It suits smaller shipments that don't need a full container. The trade-off is extra handling: LCL cargo is consolidated with other goods at origin and separated out (deconsolidated) at destination.
How to think about which you need
The decision usually comes down to volume. Enough cargo to fill or nearly fill a container points to FCL; a smaller quantity often points to LCL. Your freight forwarder or shipping line arranges this side of the shipment; it's part of the international leg, distinct from the road transport we handle. For where each specialist fits, see freight forwarder, clearing agent and transporter.
What it means for the road leg
With FCL, the sealed container is typically collected and moved as a unit once released, much like any container movement, as described in what happens to a container after it leaves the port. With LCL, your goods are usually separated from the shared container first, so what we move is your portion as general cargo. See container vs general cargo transport.
Planning your transport
Whether your cargo arrives as FCL or LCL, telling us how it's shipped helps us plan the right vehicle and handling. It's one of the details we ask about. See what information you need for a quote. And if you're choosing a container, our guide to types of shipping containers helps too.
Importing FCL or LCL through Mombasa? See our cargo and container transport services or get a quote. Built To Deliver.