LCL or Full Container: The Order Size Where FCL Starts Paying

Short answer: a part load (LCL) is charged by volume. A full container (FCL) is a flat price for the box. Once your goods reach roughly half the space of a 20-foot container, about 13 to 15 cubic metres, the full container is usually cheaper, and safer for the goods.

How each is charged

Finding your break-even

Ask your forwarder for two numbers on your route: the LCL rate per cubic metre including destination charges, and the all-in price of a 20-foot container.

Break-even volume = FCL price divided by LCL price per cubic metre.

Example with made-up rates: if LCL costs $110 per cubic metre all-in and a 20-foot container costs $1,500 all-in, the break-even is 1,500 / 110 = 13.6 cubic metres. Above that, take the container. A 20-foot container holds about 28 cubic metres of cartons, so you are paying for the whole box once it is half full.

Use your own quotes. Rates differ by route and by month.

From cubic metres to towels

Volume depends on packing. Towels in compressed bales take far less space than towels in individual polybags and cartons. Put your product, size and packing into the container loading calculator to get cubic metres and pieces per container.

Reasons to choose FCL below the break-even

• A hard deadline. No waiting for other shippers' cargo.
• White goods. Less handling means fewer dirty or torn cartons.
• Customs. A shared container can be held up by a problem with someone else's goods.

Reasons to stay with LCL

• A trial of 500 pieces is nowhere near half a container.
• You have no space or cash for more stock.
• You are testing a product before committing.

A middle route: fill the box

If your towels reach 10 cubic metres, adding robes or sheets to the same order may tip you into a full container at little extra freight. See robes and towels on one order.

Ports

Part loads leave from Cochin. Full containers leave from Cochin or, for some Europe and Africa routes, Vizhinjam. See which port your linen should leave from.

For the cost of a whole container of towels, see the cost to import a container of towels from India. To price your order both ways, ask us for a quote.