What Is FCL?
Full Container Load means you book an entire shipping container exclusively for your goods. Standard container sizes are:
- 20ft container:Â ~25 CBM / 18,000 kg
- 40ft container:Â ~55 CBM / 26,000 kg
- 40ft High Cube:Â ~67 CBM / 26,000 kg
What Is LCL?
Less than Container Load means your goods share a container with other shippers’ cargo. You pay only for the space your goods occupy (priced per CBM or per tonne, whichever is greater).
FCL Advantages
- Lower risk of damage (goods aren’t handled multiple times)
- Faster transit (no consolidation/deconsolidation delays)
- More cost-effective for large volumes
- Greater security and privacy for sensitive goods
- More flexible departure scheduling
LCL Advantages
- Pay only for space used — ideal for smaller shipments
- No minimum volume requirement
- More frequent departure options
- Useful for samples, prototypes, or testing new products
Which Should You Choose?
As a general guide:
- Under 15 CBM → LCL is usually more economical
- Over 15 CBM → FCL starts to become more cost-effective
- High-value or fragile goods → FCL preferred regardless of volume
Transit Times from China to UK
| Service | Approx. Transit | |———|—————-| | FCL (Shanghai → Felixstowe) | 28–32 days | | LCL (Shanghai → Felixstowe) | 32–38 days | | FCL (Shenzhen → Southampton) | 30–35 days |
ASA Logistics Sea Freight Services
We handle both FCL and LCL shipments on all major trade lanes, including China, South East Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Our team manages booking, documentation, and customs clearance end-to-end.
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