FCL and LCL ocean freight from Shenzhen, Shanghai, Ningbo and Qingdao. Send your packing list and we confirm the container and landed cost before you book.
LCL for about 1–15 CBM; above that, a full container usually costs less per unit.
Ocean freight, surcharges and destination fees listed line by line, on the same Incoterm.
Supplier cargo is weighed and measured on arrival, so the quoted CBM matches the bill.
Cargo can move to another sailing when a vessel is cancelled or full.
Most importers ask three things before booking sea freight: FCL or LCL, what it costs on their lane, and which documents the carrier and customs will need. Getting any of these wrong usually shows up as a hold or a revised invoice.
This guide answers them in that order: the FCL vs LCL decision first, then reference rates by region, then the documents and how we handle the shipment.
Each section ends with a one-line rule you can apply.
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LCL fits about 1–15 CBM. Above 15 CBM, FCL is usually cheaper, with less handling and a steadier timeline.
What Is FCL Shipping? FCL means the whole container carries only your goods. It is loaded and sealed at the supplier's factory and not opened until destination customs, unless selected for inspection. You pay one rate per container however full it is.
What Is LCL Shipping? LCL means your cargo shares a container with other shippers. It is received at a consolidation warehouse, palletised and measured, then unpacked at a destination CFS. Each shipper gets its own Bill of Lading, and charges follow the palletised outside dimensions, not carton sizes.
| Factor | FCL | LCL |
|---|---|---|
| Shipment size | Generally above 15 CBM | About 1–15 CBM |
| Cost basis | One rate per container | Per CBM, about 1 CBM minimum, plus CFS fees at both ends |
| Transit time | Steadier timeline | Consolidation and unpacking add 4–7 days |
| Handling risk | Sealed at the factory | Handled at origin and destination CFS |
| Loading date | You set it | Follows the consolidation schedule |
| Best for | Production orders, heavy or fragile cargo | Trial orders, samples, multi-supplier small batches |
Pro tip: fragile, high-value or damage-prone cargo can justify FCL below 15 CBM, because every CFS touchpoint is another chance for damage.
In simple words: under 10 CBM ship LCL, above 15 CBM ship FCL, and in between compare the landed cost of both quotes.
Base ocean freight differs more by region than by carrier: a 40ft to Southeast Asia can cost less than a quarter of a 40ft to North Europe.
| Region (Ports) | 20ft | 40ft / 40HQ | LCL per CBM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia (Manila, Jakarta) | US$250–650 | US$450–1,100 | US$20–60 |
| US West Coast (Los Angeles / Long Beach) | US$1,200–2,500 | US$1,500–3,500 | US$60–120 |
| North Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg) | US$2,800–4,200 | US$4,500–6,800 | US$110–160 |
In simple words: these are Q4 2026 reference ranges for base ocean freight only. Origin charges, destination fees, duty and inland delivery are extra, and rates move with season and capacity.
Five documents travel with every sea shipment from China, and destination countries add their own on top.
Destination rules differ: US cargo needs an ISF filed 24 hours before loading, Canada requires CARM registration, the UK needs a GB EORI number, and Saudi Arabia requires SABER certificates. The full import document list is on our customs brokerage page.
Four China Gateways We load from Shenzhen (Yantian and Shekou), Shanghai, Ningbo and Qingdao, so cargo leaves through the port closest to the supplier instead of trucking across China for a cheaper sailing.
Measured Before It Ships The Shenzhen hub measures weight, dimensions and packaging at intake, so the CBM on your quote matches the CBM on the bill. Supplier consolidation includes free storage while orders arrive.
One Contact, Several Carriers We book with several ocean carriers on each lane, so cancelled or full sailings can be moved. One account contact follows the shipment from quote to delivery.
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