FCL and LCL are two options for ocean shipping cargo. FCL involves one consignee filling an entire shipping container, while LCL allows multiple consignees to share space in a container. FCL is more secure as cargo is not mixed with others, but is more expensive since the entire container is rented. LCL is cheaper due to shared space but security is lower as cargo may get mixed or lost if not handled properly by the shipping company. Consignees should take measures like special packaging to protect cargo for both FCL and LCL shipping.

1. LCL vs FCL Shipping
In the past two decades the international shipping services have significantly improved
their work and there are many companies offering this type of service around the world.
When a business is looking for international shipping service in order to transport goods
from one location to another, they tend to look for safe and cost effective solution
currently available on the market. Thanks to the advance of this industry, clients today
can choose from modern companies offering shipping services based on their own
requirements and needs. The vast majority of companies are offering services without
affecting the security and safety of goods.
There are basically three different ways of transporting cargo and each of these ways
comes with certain advantages and disadvantages. People today can send goods
through air, land or sea and most freight services are offering all of these options. Of
course, there are some freight services specialized in only one field.
When it comes to ocean or sea transport, people can choose between two options of
loading goods – Full container Load or FCL or Less-than-Container Load or LCL. The
basic difference between these two options is found in the amount of space that is used
by a single consignee in one container. These two water transport options provide
different level of security and come at different prices.
Full Container Load or FCL shipping has a self-explanatory name. This option is
practiced in cases of international shipping when one consignee comes with an amount
of objects / goods to fill the entire space in one container. The typical size of a container
used for this purpose is between 20 and 40 feet which mean that they have enough
space to carry a lot of goods. When clients use FCL they rent this space. However,
there are situations in which they actually buy the entire space of a container and place
their belongings there.
Less-than-Container Load or LCL shipping is the second option. Those who are
interested in this option should know that it provides an opportunity to share space with
other companies’ / people’s goods. In other words, there are several consignees that
don’t have enough goods to fill up one container. The biggest advantage of using this
option is its price. This is a much cheaper option because people have fewer goods for

2. transport and this is especially obvious if you take a closer look at ocean freight rates.
According to some experts, this alternative is less secure because chances are that part
of the goods may be mixed or lost. Of course, this is something that cannot happen in
case you hire a professional shipping company.
When you decide to use some international shipping lines, you as a consignee should
take all measures to ensure that the goods are secure and safe before the transport
begins. For example, repairing and reinforcing of certain parts, taking out and taking
special measures for breakable parts (like parts made of glass), using special boxes
and bubble wrap are some examples of measures that can be used by consignees in
order to protect their belongings in the best possible way.
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