LCL vs FCL: Which Shipping Mode is Right for Your Order?

FCL means you book an entire 20 or 40 foot container. It is best when your order fills a meaningful share of the container.

LCL shares container space with other shippers. It is cheaper for small volumes but slower because consolidation and deconsolidation add handling.

As a rule of thumb, under 15 CBM tends to work for LCL. Over 15 CBM, FCL often wins on cost and transit time.