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FCL (Full Container Load)

What is FCL?

FCL (full container load) is an ocean shipment in which the cargo occupies a full container (of any size).

Two trucks compared: FCL container filled entirely with one shipper's cargo (red); LCL container mixing red, blue and gray blocks from multiple importers' shipments.

An FCL shipment can be stuffed at the supplier, and then trucked directly to the CY (container yard):

FCL flow diagram: factory and container labeled Supplier, then crane and ship at Origin CY, crane at Destination CY, ending at a warehouse labeled Destination.

The container can either be live unloaded at the destination, or the trucker can do a drop.

How are FCL shipments charged?

FCL shipments are charged at a flat rate per container.

What are the most common container sizes?

The most common container sizes are:

See How Much Cargo Fits in a Container for more information on cargo sizes and capacity.

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