This free guide from our Portishead team explains how container shipping works, the difference between FCL and LCL, and practical container shipping tips for UK businesses booking sea freight for the first time. No jargon. No sign-up required.
What Is Container Shipping?
Container shipping is the movement of goods by sea inside standardised steel containers, loaded onto purpose-built container vessels. Containers are loaded at the origin port, transported by sea to the destination port, and then moved onward by road or rail to the final delivery address.
Container shipping is the most cost-effective mode for moving high-volume, lower-value commercial cargo over long distances. It is the standard method for importing and exporting goods between the UK and major global trade regions including Asia, the Americas and the Middle East.
Standard transit times: 10 to 35 days depending on origin and destination. Best suited to: Cargo over 100 kg where transit time is not the priority. Main UK ports: Portbury, Felixstowe, Southampton. Pricing structure: Per container (FCL) or per cubic metre/tonne (LCL).
FCL vs LCL Shipping. What Is the Difference?
The first decision in container shipping is whether your cargo needs a Full Container Load (FCL) or a Less Than Container Load (LCL) service. This decision affects your cost, transit time and handling risk.
Full Container Load (FCL)
FCL means your cargo has sole, exclusive use of a container. You pay for the full container regardless of how much of it your cargo actually fills. Your goods are loaded once at origin and unloaded once at destination, with no handling by third parties in between.
- Exclusive use of your container
- Faster transit than equivalent LCL
- Lower handling risk during transit
- Best suited to regular, high-volume shipments
Less Than Container Load (LCL)
LCL means your cargo shares a container with goods from other shippers. You pay only for the cubic metre space your cargo occupies, not the full container. Your goods are consolidated with other cargo at origin and deconsolidated at destination, which adds time but reduces cost for smaller volumes.
- Pay only for the space you use
- Cost-effective for smaller volumes
- Weekly sailing schedules on major lanes
- Typically 5 to 7 days longer than FCL
Which Should You Choose?
If your cargo volume fills more than roughly 60% of a standard container, FCL is usually more cost-effective and faster. If your cargo is smaller, irregular, or you are shipping from multiple suppliers, LCL avoids paying for unused container space. Our Portishead team advises on the right option for your specific cargo at no charge.
Standard Container Sizes and Capacity.
Choosing the right container size affects both your cost and how efficiently your cargo is packed. Here are the standard sizes used in international container shipping.
20ft Standard Container
Internal capacity of approximately 33 cubic metres. Maximum payload of approximately 28,000 kg. Suited to dense, heavy cargo such as machinery parts, tiles or packaged goods where weight is the limiting factor before volume.
40ft Standard Container
Internal capacity of approximately 67 cubic metres. Maximum payload of approximately 26,500 kg. The most commonly used container size for general commercial cargo, offering double the volume of a 20ft unit at a similar weight limit.
40ft High Cube Container
Internal capacity of approximately 76 cubic metres, with an extra 30 cm of height compared with a standard 40ft unit. Suited to bulky, lightweight cargo such as furniture, textiles or packaging materials where volume matters more than weight.
45ft High Cube Container
Internal capacity of approximately 86 cubic metres. The largest standard dry container, suited to high-volume shipments where maximising cubic capacity per container reduces the overall cost per unit shipped.
Specialist Containers
Flat-rack and open-top containers are available for out-of-gauge cargo, machinery and oversized equipment that cannot be loaded into a standard dry container. Our Portishead team advises on the right specialist unit for unusual cargo dimensions.
How to Ship a Container. Step by Step.
If this is your first time booking a container shipment, here is how the process works from enquiry to delivery.
Step 1: Confirm Your Cargo Details
Provide your cargo weight, dimensions, packaging type and whether you need FCL or LCL. If you are not sure which service you need, our Portishead team will advise based on your cargo volume.
Step 2: Confirm Your Incoterm
Agree the Incoterm with your supplier before booking. This determines who arranges and pays for freight, insurance and customs at each stage. FOB is the most common Incoterm for sea freight imports.
Step 3: Book Your Container Shipping Service
Once your cargo details and Incoterm are confirmed, our Portishead team books your container space with the shipping line, confirms the sailing schedule and provides a full door-to-door cost breakdown.
Step 4: Customs Documentation Is Coordinated
Customs documentation is coordinated alongside your shipment via our dedicated Felixstowe partners. A valid EORI number is required before your customs entry can be filed.
Step 5: Container Arrives and Is Released
On arrival at the UK port, your container clears customs and is released for collection or onward delivery. Our Portishead team coordinates port drayage and final delivery to your named address.
Container Shipping Tips for UK Importers.
Practical tips to help your container shipment move efficiently and avoid unnecessary cost or delay.
Book Early on Peak Season Lanes
Container availability tightens around Chinese New Year and the pre-Christmas peak season. Booking your container 2 to 3 weeks ahead of these periods avoids capacity shortages and rate increases.
Confirm Your Commodity Code Before You Ship
Knowing your commodity code before your container departs allows your import duty and VAT to be calculated in advance, avoiding surprises at the point of UK customs clearance.
Use FCL If Your Volume Justifies It
LCL feels like the cheaper option for smaller shipments, but once your cargo exceeds roughly 60% of a container’s capacity, FCL is usually both cheaper and faster.
Arrange Cargo Insurance Separately
Standard carrier liability under the Hague-Visby Rules will not cover the full value of your goods. All-risks marine cargo insurance is the only way to protect the full commercial value of your cargo in transit.
Confirm Your EORI Number Early
A valid UK EORI number is required before any customs entry can be filed. If you do not have one, apply at least a week before your container is due to arrive in the UK.
Container Shipping Cost, Liability and Insurance.
How Is Container Shipping Priced?
FCL is priced per container, regardless of how full it is. LCL is priced per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever is greater. Rates depend on the trade lane, current market conditions and applicable surcharges including Bunker Adjustment Factor and Peak Season Surcharge. Our Portishead team provides a full itemised breakdown before you commit to a booking.
What Is the Carrier’s Liability for My Container?
Under the Hague-Visby Rules, the shipping line’s liability for loss or damage is limited to 2 SDR per kilogram of gross weight or 666.67 SDR per package, whichever is higher. For most commercial cargo, this falls well below the actual commercial value of the goods.
Do I Need Cargo Insurance for Container Shipping?
Yes. Standard carrier liability is not cargo insurance. All-risks marine cargo insurance covers the full declared commercial value of your goods against loss or damage during transit. Our Portishead team recommends all-risks insurance for every container shipment, particularly for high-value or fragile cargo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container shipping from UK importers and exporters.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL shipping?
FCL gives you sole use of a container. LCL means your cargo shares a container with other shippers and you pay only for the space you use. LCL is more cost-effective for smaller volumes but typically takes 5 to 7 days longer than FCL on the same lane due to consolidation and deconsolidation handling.
How do I know which container size I need?
Container size depends on your cargo volume and weight. A 20ft container suits dense, heavy cargo where weight is the limiting factor. A 40ft or 45ft container suits bulkier, lighter cargo where volume matters more. Our Portishead team advises on the right size for your specific cargo at no charge.
How long does container shipping take?
Transit times depend on the origin and destination. Sea freight from China to the UK takes 25 to 32 days FCL. From the USA East Coast, transit takes 10 to 14 days. Our Portishead team confirms realistic transit times for your specific route before you book.
What does FCL stand for in shipping?
FCL stands for Full Container Load, meaning your cargo has exclusive use of an entire container. This is distinct from LCL, which stands for Less Than Container Load, where your cargo shares a container with other shippers’ goods.
Is container shipping cheaper than air freight?
Yes, significantly, for cargo over 100 kg where transit time is not the priority. Container shipping is priced per container or per cubic metre, while air freight is priced on chargeable weight, making air substantially more expensive per kilogram for most commercial cargo.
