Full Container Load (FCL) Definition | UPS Supply Chain Solutions

What is a Full Container Load (FCL)?

A term that means that all goods in a container are listed on a single Bill of Lading, and as such are owned by a single party. It does not matter how full the container is. Payment is made on the basis of a full container.

When using FCL, goods are usually loaded into the container and sealed at the warehouse or factory before being transported to the port or terminal. This method is generally considered to be more secure (because goods remain sealed until they reach the destination) and faster (because the goods don't get held up being consolidated before shipping and deconsolidated after, as is often the case with LCL shipments).