LCL vs FCL Calculator
Full container or shared space? Enter your cargo volume and see the break-even — with the destination CFS fees most LCL quotes forget to mention.
Not sure? Use the CBM calculator first.
At 12 CBM you'd be paying for empty container space. The break-even here starts around 20.45 CBM.
Reference estimates only — final cost depends on exact HS code, declared value, pickup city and live rates. Ask us for an exact, all-in quote.
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Get LCL & FCL quotes for United States →How the break-even works
The math is one division: break-even CBM = container price ÷ effective LCL rate per CBM. The catch is the word “effective” — the LCL rate on your quote is not the whole price. At destination, the container freight station (CFS) charges $30–60 per CBM to deconsolidate your cargo, and most quotes list it as a separate line you only see on the invoice.
Worked example, US: a 20ft runs ~$4,500–6,500; LCL is ~$80–160/CBM plus $30–60 CFS — so ~$110–220/CBM effective. Divide and the break-even lands around 20–59 CBM. That's why between 15 and 25 CBM the honest answer is always “quote both”.
Container cheat sheet
| Container | Capacity | Payload | Pallets (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft | 33.2 CBM | ~25,000 kg | 9–11 |
| 40ft | 67.7 CBM | ~27,600 kg | 20–24 |
| 40ft High Cube | ~76 CBM | ~26,500 kg | 20–24 |
A 40ft costs only ~20–25% more than a 20ft but carries twice the volume — past ~34 CBM it's almost always the better unit economics.
Money isn't the only difference
- FCL transits faster: no waiting for co-loaders to fill the container — typically 3–7 days saved port-to-port.
- FCL handling is gentler: your cargo is loaded once at origin and unloaded once at destination. LCL cargo gets handled at both CFS stations.
- LCL only pays for space used: below ~10 CBM, renting a whole container for 30 CBM of air never wins.
- FCL clears customs as one entry: one manifest, one inspection risk — LCL shipments share the container's fate.
Calculator FAQ
+ Does the calculator include customs duties?
No — it compares the freight modes only. Duties depend on your goods' HS code and declared value; our CBM & Landed Cost Calculator handles the full landed picture.
+ My cargo is light but bulky. Does weight matter?
For sea freight, rarely — you're billed by CBM unless density exceeds ~1,000 kg/CBM. A 20ft's payload (~25t) only binds on genuinely dense goods like tiles or metal.
+ Why does the break-even range look so wide?
Because both container prices and LCL rates are live market ranges. The overlap zone is real — that's exactly when you should force both quotes and compare line by line.
Want both numbers, all-in, in writing?
Send your cargo details — we quote LCL and FCL side by side, every fee itemized, within 24 hours.
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