CFS

A Container Freight Station (CFS) is a warehouse facility, typically located near a seaport, where LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments are processed. On the export side, individual shipper deliveries are received, sorted, stowed, and consolidated into containers. On the import side, the reverse: arriving containers are de-consolidated, with individual shipments separated, cleared through customs, and delivered to each consignee.

CFS operations involve receiving, weighing, measuring, palletising, stowage planning, container stuffing/de-stuffing, customs clearance for ship stores or bonded cargo, and multi-customer billing. Many CFS operators are also bonded — allowing them to hold cargo before customs clearance.

CFS operations are at the heart of NVOCC and LCL consolidator workflows. Modern platforms manage CFS billing per shipper based on volume, weight, and value-added services like labelling or special handling.