GlossaryFreight
FCL (full container load)
An ocean shipment where one shipper books and fills an entire container for its own cargo.
Full container load (FCL) means a shipper books an entire container, typically 20 or 40 feet, for its own goods. The container is sealed at origin and travels without being opened until it reaches the destination or a customs inspection.
FCL becomes more economical than LCL once a shipment is large enough to fill a meaningful share of a container. It also involves less handling, which lowers the risk of damage and usually speeds up transit and release.
Learn more in our Cross-border shipping articles.
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