Industry package
Forwarder & Logistics
Freight & Container · Trade & Customs · WMS & Supply · Finance · Sales & CRM
- 20 full users
- 2 sites
- 26 modules
Free tool
LCL or FCL?
Calculate the cost difference between shipping your cargo LCL and booking a full container (FCL). No sign-up needed; results update as you type.
See the system that does this automaticallyOpen the live demoLCL or FCL?: what you need to know
With LCL your cargo shares a container with others and you pay per W/M (the greater of weight or volume); with FCL you rent the whole container. Above a certain volume a full container becomes cheaper than groupage.
Expert tip: On most routes the break-even point is 13–18 m³; but LCL transit takes longer because of consolidation and deconsolidation, and handling damage risk rises.
LCL or FCL?: worked example
Example values: Container type 20' GP, Cargo volume 15 m³, Cargo weight 6,000 kg, LCL freight + CFS (per W/M) 83 USD, LCL fixed fees 90 USD, FCL all-in (per container) 1,650 USD. With these values the results are:
| LCL total | 1,335 USD |
|---|---|
| Containers needed | 1 pcs |
| FCL total | 1,650 USD |
| Difference | 315 USD |
| Result | LCL is cheaper |
How to use: LCL or FCL
- Enter your own values: Container type, Cargo volume, Cargo weight, LCL freight + CFS (per W/M), LCL fixed fees, FCL all-in (per container).
- Choose the currency; money inputs are converted at an approximate rate.
- Results are calculated as you type: LCL total, Containers needed, FCL total, Difference.
- Check every step of the calculation in the formulas below.
How is it calculated?
- LCL total = max([Cargo volume]; [Cargo weight] ÷ 1,000; 1) × [LCL freight + CFS (per W/M)] + [LCL fixed fees]
- Containers needed = ceil(max([Cargo volume] ÷ ([Container internal volume] × 0.85); [Cargo weight] ÷ [Container maximum payload]))
- FCL total = [Containers needed] × [FCL all-in (per container)]
- Difference = abs([LCL total] − [FCL total])
Other tools running on Freight Rating Engine
Calculates chargeable quantity, freight and surcharges for FCL, LCL, air and road with the same rules.
FCRSOFT
FCRSOFT does this for you automatically
You don’t need to do the calculations and checks on this page by hand every day. FCRSOFT derives them all automatically from the records entered in the field.
- Freight rates are stored; freight is calculated automatically on booking.
- Chargeable weight and the W/M rule are applied automatically.
- Freight and local charges are allocated to products and files.
Frequently asked questions
How is LCL or FCL calculated?
Calculate the cost difference between shipping your cargo LCL and booking a full container (FCL). The calculation uses Freight Rating Engine: Calculates chargeable quantity, freight and surcharges for FCL, LCL, air and road with the same rules.
LCL or FCL: what is it and when is it used?
With LCL your cargo shares a container with others and you pay per W/M (the greater of weight or volume); with FCL you rent the whole container. Above a certain volume a full container becomes cheaper than groupage.
LCL or FCL: what should I watch out for?
On most routes the break-even point is 13–18 m³; but LCL transit takes longer because of consolidation and deconsolidation, and handling damage risk rises.
How is Difference found?
Difference = abs([LCL total] − [FCL total]). With the example values (Container type 20' GP, Cargo volume 15 m³, Cargo weight 6,000 kg, LCL freight + CFS (per W/M) 83 USD, LCL fixed fees 90 USD, FCL all-in (per container) 1,650 USD) the result is 315 USD.
Worked example: LCL or FCL?
Example values: Container type 20' GP, Cargo volume 15 m³, Cargo weight 6,000 kg, LCL freight + CFS (per W/M) 83 USD, LCL fixed fees 90 USD, FCL all-in (per container) 1,650 USD. LCL total: 1,335 USD; Containers needed: 1 pcs; FCL total: 1,650 USD; Difference: 315 USD; Result: LCL is cheaper.
Is LCL or FCL free?
Yes. The tool is free, needs no sign-up and runs in your browser; the data you enter is not stored.
Can FCRSOFT do this calculation automatically?
FCRSOFT stores your rates and calculates freight and surcharges automatically for every booking. You can try the Forwarder & Logistics package in the live demo without installing anything.
Which currency can I calculate in?
Choose one of 28 currencies in the currency selector; monetary inputs are converted at an approximate rate. To use your own rate, enter the amounts directly.
FCRSOFT solutions
All inclusive
Enterprise Site — all products
Farm · Hatchery · Feed ERP · Processing · WMS & Supply · Sales & CRM · Finance · Maintenance · Trace & Cold Chain · B2B Commerce · Fleet & Vessel · Voyage & Chartering · Trade & Customs · Freight & Container
- 30 full users
- 1 sites
- 69 modules
