LCL vs FCL — pick the cheapest ocean freight mode

Enter cargo CBM, weight, lane, and time sensitivity. We rank LCL, FCL 20ft, 40ft, and 40HC on all-in landed cost, surface the CBM crossover, and estimate transit days and demurrage risk.

LCL vs FCL — ocean freight decision

Estimates use Drewry WCI + FBX 2026-06 mid-market spot data. Not a quote — confirm with a forwarder before booking.

Total cargo volume in cubic metres. The crossover from LCL to FCL typically sits between 10 and 15 CBM depending on the lane.

Total cargo weight in metric tonnes. Ocean freight bills on the higher of CBM and tonnes (W/M, revenue ton).

Eight representative east-west / north-south lanes from Drewry WCI + FBX 2026-06 weekly averages.

Rush cargo inflates the LCL consolidation window and roughly doubles demurrage probability.

Recommended shipping mode

LCL (less-than-container load)

$1,185.00all-in landed cost (USD)

All four modes — landed cost

  • LCL$1,185.00
  • FCL 20ft$2,590.50
  • FCL 40ft$3,390.50
  • FCL 40HC$3,510.50
Transit days
26
Crossover CBM
18.81
Demurrage risk
$220.50
See the cost breakdown
LCL all-in
$1,185.00
FCL 20ft all-in
$2,590.50
FCL 40ft all-in
$3,390.50
FCL 40HC all-in
$3,510.50
Crossover CBM (LCL → FCL 20ft)
18.81
Recommended mode rank
0
Transit days (recommended)
26
Revenue ton (W/M)
8
20ft volume utilisation
24.24%
Demurrage risk premium
$220.50

Revenue ton (W/M) basis: 8; 20ft volume utilisation: 24.24%.

How the decision is computed

LCL is billed on the revenue ton (W/M) — the higher of CBM and metric tonnes — multiplied by the lane's USD-per-W/M spot rate, plus a flat handling base (doc + ISPS + B/L) and a per-W/M handling component (CFS + THC origin + THC destination). FCL is billed per container with a lane spot rate plus origin / destination local charges (THC + doc + ISPS) and a probability-weighted demurrage risk premium.

The crossover CBM is the cargo volume at which LCL all-in equals FCL 20ft all-in on the selected lane. Below the crossover, LCL is cheaper; above it, FCL 20ft beats LCL. Larger cargo escalates to 40ft and 40HC when 20ft volume cap (33 CBM) is exceeded.

Sources: Drewry World Container Index, Freightos Baltic Index, Maersk / MSC / CMA-CGM published 2026 tariffs, Freightos LCL benchmarks. Dataset last verified: 2026-06-09.

Disclaimer: Results are orientative spot-market estimates, not a quote. Final pricing depends on contract, forwarder margin, cargo type (DG, OOG, reefer), and current GRI / PSS surcharges. Confirm with a forwarder before booking.