LCL or FCL: which to choose for sea freight

25 February 2026

How groupage (LCL) and full-container (FCL) sea freight differ, at what volume each format pays off and how not to overpay.

What is the difference

FCL (Full Container Load) means hiring the whole container, even if it is not completely full. LCL (Less than Container Load) is groupage: your cargo shares a container with other shippers’ consignments, and you pay for the actual volume or weight.

FCL gives security and speed: the container is sealed at the shipper and not opened until the consignee. LCL saves money on small volumes but requires consolidation and deconsolidation, which adds time. On our main sea route, LCL goods are consolidated at our Rotterdam warehouse and sailed to St Petersburg; full containers take the same route without transhipment.

LCL and FCL at a glance

	LCL	FCL
What you pay for	Actual volume or weight, whichever is greater	A fixed price per container, regardless of fill
Handling	Consolidation and deconsolidation	Sealed at the shipper, opened at the consignee
Best for	Small and medium consignments	Large consignments, fragile and valuable goods

When each option pays off

The rough break-even point is around 13–15 cubic metres. If your volume approaches half of a twenty-foot container, compare both options: for larger consignments FCL is almost always cheaper per cubic metre. For small and medium consignments LCL remains the best solution.

Consider the nature of the goods as well. Fragile and expensive cargo is safer in its own container, with fewer transhipments.

How the price is calculated

In LCL the rate is calculated on a “weight or volume” basis — whichever is greater. In FCL the price is fixed per container regardless of the load. So with dense, heavy cargo LCL can be more expensive than expected, while light, bulky goods are better value in a container.

Our managers help choose the format for the specific consignment and calculate both scenarios, so you choose the option that really is cheaper. To do this we need the number of packages, their dimensions and weights — the same data that go on your packing list.

Questions and answers

At what volume should I consider a full container?

From around 13–15 cubic metres, or when the volume approaches half of a twenty-foot container, compare both options.

Why can LCL be more expensive than expected?

Because it is charged on weight or volume, whichever is greater — dense, heavy goods may be charged more than their volume suggests.

Is FCL safer?

Yes: the container is sealed at the shipper and not opened until the consignee, so there are fewer transhipments — important for fragile and valuable goods.

LCL groupage via Rotterdam →20ft container via Rotterdam →40ft container via Rotterdam →

More in this section

Motor oil wholesale from Europe and the USA: how a lot reaches the Russian buyer — and how fakes are kept out Michelin, Continental and other tyres wholesale: documented import with labelling, or cargo Spare parts to order from Europe and the USA: how to deliver fast when machinery is standing idle Household chemicals and hygiene from our warehouse in Lithuania: documented import for marketplaces, or cargo Four corridors from Europe to Russia: how to choose between sea, Poland, Lithuania and the south Air freight to Russia: how chargeable weight works and when air beats sea Not willing to lodge the EX1 yourself? What happens with EXW — and how remote export clearance works Shipping a CNC machine from Europe: how to organise transport without losing precision

Request a quote

Reply within 2 business hours