International sea freight export – LCL and FCL comparison

There are two common export methods by sea: sea LCL and sea FCL. Shipping LCL: export goods is not enough to use a container, can consider to go by sea LCL, LCL cargo usually can’t accept to specify a specific ship company, shipping company only accept the whole container cargo booking, rather than directly accept LCL cargo booking, only through freight forwarders will spell the LCL cargo to booking to the ship company.

The main differences between LCL and FCL are as follows:

  1. LCL&FCL Characteristics of different.

(1) LCL cargo: the integration of goods from different shippers and consignees. In LCL, a full container is made up of goods from many different consignors and consignees.

  • the whole container of goods: as long as the container appearance is similar to the receipt of the box and the lead seal is complete, the carrier has completed the responsibility of transport.
  1. FCL and LCL processes are different.

(1) LCL cargo: After receiving such goods, the carrier shall classify them according to their nature and destination, and assemble the goods of the same destination and the same nature into the same container for transportation.

(2) FCL cargo: The consignor is responsible for packing, counting, filling in the shipping bill and sealing the goods by the customs. The unpacking of FCL is generally handled by the consignee, and the carrier may also be entrusted to unpacking the FCL at the freight station. However, the carrier is not responsible for the damage or difference of the goods in the FCL, and the carrier is only responsible for compensation for the damage unless the cargo is proved to be caused by the accident for which the carrier is responsible.

  1. LCL and FCL cost composition is different
  • LCL generally includes three charges, sea freight, local chargeand warehouse charge.
  • The cost of the whole container consists of sea freight, port miscellaneous charges, warehousing charges, loading charges, and direct loading charges for some goods.

After customs clearance, the bill of lading is the same as the whole container and LCL. After confirming with the forwarder company, issue the bill of lading according to the confirmed content, and take delivery with the bill of lading.

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