One of the most common questions we get: "Should I book a full container or ship my goods in a shared one?" The answer depends on your shipment size, the nature of your goods and your priorities — here are the details.
What’s the difference?
FCL (Full Container Load): you rent the entire container for your goods alone, whether you fill it or not.
LCL (Less than Container Load): you pay only for the space your goods occupy in a container shared with other traders’ shipments.
When to choose FCL?
If your goods fill more than half the container — a full container is usually genuinely cheaper.
If your goods are sensitive or perishable and you don’t want the risks of shared loading.
If arrival speed matters: an FCL container doesn’t wait to consolidate other shipments and isn’t unloaded at intermediate hubs.
When is LCL the smarter choice?
For your first trial order from a new supplier — reduce the risk before scaling up.
When the quantity is below roughly 13 cubic meters.
When you want frequent small shipments instead of tying up your capital in large inventory.
A tip from the field
Shipping from Brazil’s Port of Santos to Gulf ports usually takes 30 to 45 days depending on the line and route. Plan your inventory accordingly, and add a two-week safety margin for customs clearance and inland transport.
Conclusion
There is no single right answer — the true cost is calculated per shipment. Send us your goods’ details and we’ll send you a precise numeric comparison between the two options before you pay anything.