How much cargo do I need before FCL is worth it over LCL?

As a rough rule, once you reach about 15 CBM or more a full container usually costs less per CBM than LCL. Below that, sharing a container (LCL) is often cheaper. Send your volume and we will compare both for you.

What is the difference between a 40ft and a 40ft High Cube?

They have the same floor length, but the High Cube is about a foot taller inside, giving roughly 68 CBM versus 58 CBM. Choose High Cube for light, bulky goods that fill space before they hit the weight limit.

Can I ship chilled or frozen goods in a full container?

Yes, we book reefer (refrigerated) containers that hold a set temperature the whole voyage. Tell us the exact temperature and whether it is chilled or frozen so we set the unit correctly before loading.

My machine is too wide for a normal container door. What now?

We use flat-rack or open-top containers for oversized cargo that will not fit through standard doors. Flat-racks load from the sides and open-tops are craned in from above. Share the dimensions and weight so we pick the right equipment.

Who loads and seals the container at the factory?

The goods are loaded at the factory or our China warehouse, then the container is sealed with a numbered lock. That same seal number is on your bill of lading and is checked when the box reaches your warehouse, so you know it was never opened in transit.

FCL Container Shipping

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FCL stands for Full Container Load. It means the whole steel box is booked in your name only. You load it, we seal it, and it travels to Bangladesh or Saudi Arabia with nothing else inside. No other importer's cargo touches yours, and the same seal that closes the door at the factory is checked when it opens at your warehouse.

Which container size fits your order

Picking the right box is the first decision, and it is mostly about volume in cubic metres (CBM). As a rough guide:

20ft — holds around 28 CBM, good for heavy but compact goods like tiles, hardware, or machine parts.
40ft — around 58 CBM, the workhorse for furniture, garments, and mixed retail stock.
40ft High Cube — around 68 CBM, the same floor with extra height for light, bulky loads.

Tell us your carton sizes and total quantity, and our China team will tell you which box loads cheapest with the least wasted space.

Special containers for tricky cargo

Not every load fits a standard dry box. We book reefers for goods that need a set temperature, flat-racks for machines or vehicles too wide for normal doors, and open-top units for cargo craned in from above. If your item is oversized or heat-sensitive, say so early so we plan the equipment.

FCL or LCL — when the switch pays off

With LCL your goods share a container and you pay per CBM, which suits small orders. Once you reach roughly 15 CBM or more, a full container usually costs less per CBM, moves faster because it skips the consolidation warehouse, and risks less handling damage. Fewer hands on your cargo means fewer dents.

Door to door on one bill of lading

We arrange door-to-door FCL straight from a factory in Guangzhou, Yiwu, or Shenzhen to your warehouse in Dhaka, Chittagong, Riyadh, or Jeddah. One sealed box, one bill of lading, and our own C&F customs team clearing it at the port. You get WhatsApp updates the whole way and Arabic or English support at both ends.

Not sure whether your volume justifies a full container yet? Send us your packing list and we will size it honestly and send a free quote within a few hours, with no hidden fees.

Frequently asked questions

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