Full-Container Load (FCL)

What is FCL?

When you ship FCL, your cargo gets its own dedicated container — meaning you don’t have to share. With FCL, you pay the cost for a full container whether you fill the entire box or just part of it. Many ocean freight shippers choose this option.

Is FCL right for me?

Because you’ve purchased the entire container, you won’t have to worry about other shippers’ cargo damaging your freight, and you won’t have to wait on someone else’s goods before your container can be sent. You can save time during inspection too.

How much does FCL cost?

While you might be paying for the entire container, you can actually save money with a partially full FCL shipment. This is because you save on consolidating and handling fees — fees that usually accompany LCL shipments. Talk to one of our Eastern representatives to learn which shipping format is best for you.

How does FCL work?

All of your cargo must be boxed on pallets before it can be loaded. You can do this yourself or we can help. The better your cargo is packed, the cheaper it will be to load and unload. We suggest considering FCL if you are shipping 6 standard pallets in a 20-foot container (max 10), or 12 standard pallets (max 20) in a 40-foot one. FCL shipments usually travel door-to-port or port-to-port, but we can help you arrange door-to-door if that’s what you need. Tell us your needs, and we’ll handle the rest.

What’s the difference between a euro pallet and a standard pallet?

For FCL shipping, you must box your cargo on either a standard or euro pallet. Here are the dimensions:

• Standard: 47 ¼" X 39 ⅜" or 1.2m X 1m
• Euro: 47 ¼" X 31 ½" or 1.2m X 0.8m