What Is FCL Shipping?
FCL means Full Container Load. One shipper books the use of a complete container for one shipment, whether the container is completely filled or not. Compared with LCL, FCL usually involves fewer cargo-handling stages during the main ocean movement.
Dedicated Container
Your shipment does not share container space with unrelated LCL cargo.
Less Handling
Goods remain inside the same sealed container through the main ocean leg.
Larger Shipments
FCL becomes increasingly attractive as shipment volume and regularity increase.
Flexible Delivery
CY–CY, door-to-port, port-to-door and complete door-to-door solutions.
Plan Your Full Container Shipment
Choose the Right FCL Container Size
Container choice depends on package dimensions, weight, loading method and destination restrictions—not CBM alone.
| Container | Approx. Internal Volume | Typical Practical Cargo Volume* | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | Approx. 33 CBM | Often 25–28 CBM | Dense / heavy cargo, machinery, metals |
| 40GP | Approx. 67 CBM | Often 54–58 CBM | General cargo, furniture, commercial products |
| 40HQ | Approx. 76 CBM | Often 65–68 CBM | High-volume, lighter cargo and furniture |
*Planning ranges only. Pallets, void space, carton dimensions, cargo shape and safe loading requirements can reduce usable volume.
What Makes Up the Cost?
- China factory pickup / container trucking
- Warehouse loading if required
- Origin terminal and documentation charges
- China export customs
- Ocean freight per container
- Destination port charges
- Import customs, duties and taxes
- Final trucking and empty return
- Demurrage / detention if free time is exceeded
Send BRF SHIPPING:
- China pickup address
- Destination port / postcode
- Product and HS code
- Package quantity and dimensions
- Total gross weight
- 20GP / 40GP / 40HQ
- Incoterm
- Cargo-ready date
Factory Loading or Warehouse Loading
BRF SHIPPING can arrange an empty container to the supplier factory or consolidate cargo in a warehouse before stuffing.
- Empty-container release and depot pickup
- Container trucking to factory / warehouse
- Loading appointment
- Forklift / crane planning if required
- Cargo positioning and securing as agreed
- Seal recording
- Loaded-container return to terminal
- VGM and export-document coordination
Consolidate Before Loading
Goods from several suppliers can first be received into one warehouse, organized and loaded into one full container.
- Receive several POs
- Update shipping marks
- Repack / palletize
- Create loading plan
- Load one 20GP / 40GP / 40HQ
CY–CY, Door-to-Port, Port-to-Door & Door-to-Door
CY–CY
Container moves between origin and destination container yards.
Door-to-Port
Pickup / loading in China plus full-container ocean freight to the destination port.
Port-to-Door
Destination customs and container delivery from port to final address.
Door-to-Door
China pickup, FCL shipping, customs coordination and final trucking in one plan.
Major Chinese Container Export Gateways
Qingdao
Shandong manufacturers, machinery, tyres, metals and industrial cargo.
Shanghai
Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Kunshan and Yangtze River Delta factories.
Ningbo-Zhoushan
Zhejiang, Yiwu, Hangzhou, Shaoxing and Ningbo exporters.
Shenzhen
Yantian / Shekou for Shenzhen, Dongguan and Huizhou cargo.
Guangzhou / Nansha
Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhongshan and western Pearl River Delta.
Tianjin
Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi and North China industrial regions.
Dalian
Liaoning and Northeast China container exports.
Xiamen
Fujian manufacturers around Xiamen, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou.
Full Container Shipping from China to Major Markets
China to New Zealand
Auckland, Tauranga, Lyttelton, Wellington, MPI and delivery.
China to New Zealand →When Should You Use a Full Container?
| Factor | FCL | LCL | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space | Dedicated container | Shared container | FCL gives exclusive use of the box |
| Volume | Medium / large | Small | Compare total landed cost rather than a fixed CBM threshold |
| Handling | Fewer handling stages | CFS consolidation required | FCL can suit fragile / high-value cargo |
| Pricing | Per container / route | W/M or chargeable volume | FCL often improves as volume rises |
| Delivery | Container can move to final site | Loose cargo after deconsolidation | Check site access and unloading |
How a Full Container Moves from China to Destination
Quote & Container Selection
Review cargo dimensions, gross weight, pickup point, destination and choose 20GP, 40GP or 40HQ.
Carrier Booking
Confirm sailing, equipment availability, cutoff times and booked container type.
Empty Container Pickup
Collect the empty box from the nominated depot and truck it to factory or warehouse.
Container Loading & Seal
Stuff cargo, secure the load as agreed and record the seal number.
Export Customs & Gate-In
Coordinate China export declaration, VGM and terminal delivery before cutoff.
Ocean Freight
The sealed container moves by vessel to the destination port.
Destination Customs
Complete import formalities and port release according to the service scope.
Delivery & Empty Return
Truck the container to the consignee, unload or drop as arranged, then return the empty.
Make Full Container Shipping More Efficient
- Choose container size using actual package dimensions
- Consolidate several suppliers before loading
- Book earlier during peak seasons
- Compare nearby China ports when practical
- Plan loading to reduce unused space safely
- Check destination free time
- Prepare customs documents before arrival
- Confirm delivery-site access and unloading
Approx. 60 CBM of Furniture
Instead of automatically using two 20GP containers, BRF SHIPPING can review carton dimensions and loading layout to determine whether one 40HQ can safely accommodate the cargo.
Avoid Extra Cost and Container Delays
Wrong Container Size
Book after checking package dimensions, weight and loading method.
Poor Loading Plan
Unbalanced weight or weak securing can increase cargo risk.
Missing Cutoff
Late customs, VGM or terminal gate-in can cause rollover.
Ignoring Free Time
Demurrage and detention can rise quickly after arrival.
Wrong Declaration
Incorrect description, weight or DG information can delay shipment.
Unprepared Delivery Site
Confirm truck access, unloading, appointment and drop requirements.
FCL Shipping Integrated from Factory to Door
China Pickup
Factory pickup and container trucking across major China manufacturing regions.
Warehouse Loading
Consolidate suppliers and load one full container near major ports.
Global Ocean Freight
FCL routes to North America, Oceania, Europe and other markets.
Door Delivery
Connect ocean freight with destination customs and final container delivery.
FCL Shipping FAQ
What does FCL mean in shipping?
Do I need to fill the entire container to use FCL?
How much can a 20GP, 40GP or 40HQ hold?
When is FCL cheaper than LCL?
Can BRF SHIPPING send an empty container to my Chinese factory?
Can several Chinese suppliers share one FCL container?
Can FCL include customs and door delivery?
What information is required for an FCL quote?
Get an FCL Shipping Quote from China
Send your factory location, cargo dimensions, weight, container preference and destination. BRF SHIPPING can plan pickup, loading, customs, ocean freight and final delivery.
- Brf Shipping has been in the logistics industry for more than 8 years.
- Reliable,fast freight forwarder from China to Thailand.
- Reliable,fast freight forwarder from China to Australia.
- Reliable,fast freight forwarder from China to New Zealand.
- Reliable,fast freight forwarder from China to the UK.
- Reliable,fast freight forwarder from China to the United States.
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