What Is FCL?

FCL is the short form of the term Full Container-Load which means freight, commodity, or goods from an entire container taken by a lone shipper for its exclusive use.

The acronym FCL is used in the logistics or freight-forwarding industry or global ocean shipping industry. Under this system, the shipper or person sending the freight owns the container which does not allow any third party to use it partially.

Features of FCL

• The container booked under the FCL-agreement or business arrangement is sealed at its booking port or place of origin by the freighter or agency/person/company booking the container.
• The container is allowed to be opened only by the customer or his authorized agent on reaching the destined port. It cannot be opened en route.

Pros or Advantages of FCL

• It allows the person sending the good or exporter (it can be the importer, as well or in most of the cases) to get the benefit of having much larger space or volume in the container.
• The exporter, importer or the person sending the good does not need to share space of the container with others.
• FCL-agreement is customized thus the independence of the exporter is maintained totally.
• This is a system or arrangement under which the goods or commodities dispatched are not damaged thus providing total safety to the freight-matters.
• Usually, the FCL is a faster system of delivery of goods and commodities.

Cons or Disadvantages of FCL:

• FCL is not cost beneficial as one has to pay more to book the full container
• The operational cost of FCL is higher
• For smaller parcels or goods booked, the FCL is not suitable

Conclusion:

This is one of the most used terms in the export and import business. This freight arrangement means the concerned container booked has to be received right at the destination or port mentioned in the freight booking document.

It is usually sent from one port to another sea port directly. Such containers are not allowed to be sent or shipped in part: from one port to another and then transported to the destination by another ship.