FCL

FCL (Full Container Load) refers to an ocean freight shipment where one shipper books an entire container exclusively for their cargo. The container is sealed at origin and travels intact to the destination — no consolidation, no de-consolidation, no co-mingling with other shippers' goods.

FCL is the preferred mode for shipments that fill (or nearly fill) a container — typically 20'/40'/40'HC or 45' sizes. It offers faster transit times than LCL (no consolidation step), lower per-unit costs at scale, reduced damage risk (no intermediate handling), and better security (single seal from origin to destination).

Standard container types include Dry (DV), High Cube (HC), Reefer (refrigerated), Open Top, Flat Rack, and Tank.