/ By TJ China Freight / Cargo • International • Logistic • sea freight forwarder • Shipping

FCL Shipping: Meaning, Containers, Charges & More

Need shipping high volumes like furniture or fragile goods? You need FCL shipping. Let’s learn everything about shipping full containers load shipment.

  1. What does FCL mean? The definition of FCL
  2. How much does it cost to ship a shipping container?
  3. The benefits of shipping FCL
  4. Should I choose FCL?

What does FCL mean? The definition of FCL

FCL is a term used in sea freight to describe shipments that consist of a “full container load,” Full Container Load’, it is a container that is for the use of a single consignee. In international shipping, an FCL means a single container that is booked by the shipper exclusively for the transportation of their cargo only. The shipper doesn’t have to share the container with cargo booked by other shippers. This enhances security and simplifies ocean freight logistics management.

Standard container sizes are 20’ and 40’ containers; both sizes offer standard and high cube sizing.

How much does it cost to ship a shipping container?

When shipping FCL, the buyer is renting the whole container space at a fixed rate. Aside from the fixed ocean freight cost, the buyer also needs to consider some additional fixed costs, such as the handling charges and chassis fee. Shipping lines usually change rates based on the route’s demand, similar to commercial air travel, so it’s best to check the rates depending on when and where the container is going to be shipped.

Usually, the factors that affect the FCL rates are:

Here are some other factors that affect FCL pricing: Peak season, which typically hits between August to November. Holidays like new year, golden week, and others. So it is wise to arrange everything well in advance, and you can get the info from your China freight forwarder to avoid unnecessary extra expense.

The benefits of shipping FCL

Convenient: FCL shipments don’t need to be loaded and unloaded together with other shipments, which saves transit time.

Less Risk: Sealing containers at the factory means less handling and fewer opportunities for damage.

Cheap: The price per unit on LCL is high, so for larger shipments, paying the FCL flat fee saves money.

Short Transit Time: Air freight is the fastest way to ship. But if you have the time, you’ll save big by choosing FCL instead.

Should I choose FCL?

If you’re not sure which one to choose, FCL or LCL? Feel free to contact our expert forwarder team of TJ China freight. We’ll run you through making the best decision for your shipment.

 

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/ By TJ China Freight / International • Logistic • Moving • Shipping • Transport

Shipping from China to USA: Everything You Should Know

Ways to ship from China to US

  1. International commercial express

International commercial express refers to the express and logistics business carried out between two or more countries (or regions). After the international express shipment arrives at the destination country, it needs to be delivered in the destination country before the express shipment can be delivered to the final destination. International express parcel delivery is fast and the service is excellent, but the price is relatively high. Common logistics carriers include UPS, DHL Express, FedEx, etc.

  1. Air freight

Air freight refers to a mode of transportation that uses aircraft as a means of transportation for cross-border transportation of goods.

  1. Sea transportation is a way of using ships to transport goods between ports in different countries and regions through sea lanes, including FCL and LCL.

How to choose FCL or LCL?

Depends on the volume of the consignment to be shipped. The minimum container type of a standard ocean freight container is 20 feet. If the volume of the consigned goods is less than 20cbm, it is recommended to use LCL transportation; if it is larger than 20cbm, use FCL transportation.

How much does it cost to ship from China to US?

Different goods, different routes, the corresponding international express freight is usually not the same. The price of sensitive goods (liquid, powder, liquid, food, medicine, F brand, etc.) will be higher than that of general goods, and sea freight will be cheaper than air freight.

International express charges

  1. The weight of an international express package is divided into actual weight and volume weight. The international express company will use the larger of the two weights as the billing weight.
  2. Calculation of the volume weight of DHL, TNT, UPS and FedEx (Federal) four major international express delivery (length*width*height/5000); calculation method of volume weight of air or ocean special line package: (length x width x height/6000), Relatively speaking, the price of the special line with double clearance and tax package will be more cost-effective, and it is a more cost-effective mode of transportation

At this point, you’re likely wondering how long packages from China take to arrive in the US. In general, shipping by air is much faster than shipping by sea. With all the supply chain blockages due to COVID-19, it’s become increasingly common to see delays in shipping.

When you import goods from China, you must prepare for the Chinese New Year shutdown. However, you should also be aware of other Chinese holidays, here is the full calendar of holidays and observances in China.

1. Express shipping

Express shipping usually takes 4 to 7 days. If your product has a high-profit margin, you might want to use this option to get your product on the shelves as quickly as possible. Here the average shipping times for express shipping to the US. depending on the carrier. EMS takes 3 to 16 days, DHL takes 1 to 4 days, FedEx takes 1 to 5 days, and UPS takes 1 to 5 days as well.

2. Air Freight

Air Freight is quite like express freight. However, your regular air freight shipment won’t be a priority because you did not pay the extra fees. There is a wide range in shipping times with air freight. Anywhere between 7 and 15 days.

3. Sea Freight

Lately, we’ve seen numerous port closures in China due to the coronavirus. This has had a domino effect on all aspects of shipping, but it has harmed sea freight the most. Nowadays, Sea freight to the west coast of US is 15+ days. Sea freight to the east coast is going to be about 30+ days. Get your business a professional China freight forwarder to book space for your goods to make sure it will not be affected by season, holiday or other events.

In case you want to ship sea freight to the east coast, you might be better off receiving your goods from a port on the west coast and sending them to your destination by truck or by rail.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

LCL Shipping Delays

LCL Shipping Delays
LCL Shipping Delays

In general, if all goes well, LCL shipping will not take longer than FCL shipping in terms of transit time. It might even be faster if you're lucky enough to make sure the remaining space is right for your cargo at the last minute.

Shared Containers, Shared Responsibility

However, you may experience delays while waiting for other shippers to group their shipments and have them ready. Also, in the event of any paperwork errors, delays are likely to occur as the entire container may be held by customs. While you don't want to be held back by someone else's mistakes, you should make sure your shipments are ready on time and that your documents are filled out correctly and accurately.

Auxiliary port

Another possible delay issue is if you're shipping to a lesser-known port. Most international trade routes offer frequent and fixed sailing dates. But sending your cargo to a secondary port means you may have to wait a few weeks for your next sailing date, and then have to wait even more for a local feeder to transport your cargo from the main port.

Transshipment and multimodal transport

Delays are not uncommon if your shipment is through transhipment and/or multimodal transport. As mentioned above, your cargo may need to be unloaded and transferred to another container or wait for other cargo to be loaded into your container. As for multimodal transport, more logistics are required as your cargo needs to be transferred from the deconsolidation port to the inland terminal and onwards.

Things to remember:

  • LCL pricing depends on the volume of the shipment, not the weight. It only becomes a problem when weight becomes a factor when it is too heavy and is being trucked to and/or out of port. Here is a video on how to calculate LCL shipment volume to guide you.
  • Motor vehicles cannot be transported by LCL.
  • Depending on your item, country of origin and destination, additional documents and certificates may be required.
  • Your shipment may be damaged in transit if other shipments are not properly packaged. Other factors including severe weather at sea can also cause damage to the cargo. Transshipment and intermodal transport can lead to a higher risk of damage to your cargo as it passes through more hands. That said, be sure to pack your shipment properly to prevent damage from possible rough handling.