About this calculator
When a shipment does not fill a container, exporters and importers have to choose: ship LCL (Less than Container Load), sharing a box with other shippers through a consolidation warehouse (CFS), or book a whole FCL (Full Container Load) even if part of it stays empty. The decision is often made on gut feeling, yet it can be calculated.
LCL is charged per revenue ton (RT) on a W/M basis: the greater of volume in m³ and weight in tonnes, usually with a 1 RT minimum. On top of the ocean freight per RT come local charges that are also billed per RT (CFS, LCL terminal handling, delivery order) and fixed charges per shipment such as documentation and B/L fees. FCL is charged per container: freight plus local charges per box, whether the box is full or half empty.
This calculator works out both sides for your cargo. For FCL the number of containers is set by the practical capacity (not the theoretical internal volume, because cartons rarely fill 100% of the space) and the container payload, whichever runs out first. The result shows the cheapest option, the difference and the break-even point: how many RT before LCL becomes more expensive than one container. As a rough guide, the break-even for a 20GP often falls between 12 and 16 m³, but the real figure depends on the rates you are quoted. LCL also has hidden costs: longer consolidation time and more handling risk.
Worked example
Cargo of 12 m³ weighing 3,000 kg. LCL rate USD 45/RT + local charges USD 20/RT + fixed charges USD 50, 1 RT minimum. FCL all-in: 20GP USD 900, 40HC USD 1,400.
- Revenue tons: max(12 m³; 3 t) = 12 RT
- LCL: 12 × (45 + 20) + 50 = USD 830
- FCL: 1 × 20GP = USD 900 (filled 12 ÷ 28 = 43%)
- Result: LCL is cheaper by USD 70; break-even (900 − 50) ÷ 65 = 13.08 RT
If the cargo grows to 30 m³ (6,000 kg): LCL 30 × 65 + 50 = USD 2,000, two 20GP USD 1,800, and one 40HC USD 1,400, saving USD 600.
How to use it
Enter volume and weight
Enter the total volume in m³ and the total gross weight in kg. Use the CBM calculator if you do not know the volume yet.
Enter the LCL rates
Fill in ocean freight per RT, local charges per RT, fixed charges per shipment and the minimum RT from your forwarder's quote.
Enter the FCL rates
Fill in the cost per container (freight + local charges) for 20GP, 40GP and 40HC. Practical capacity and payload can be adjusted.
Read the recommendation
See the cheapest option, the cost difference, the number of boxes, the fill rate and the LCL break-even against one container.