由 caicai8478 Compared to air freight, ocean freight is a more common and economical option for powder cargo. However, this doesn’t mean ocean freight can be taken lightly. From booking and loading to customs clearance and unloading, every step is fraught with details and challenges. Choosing between FCL and LCL not only affects cost but also directly impacts operational feasibility and cargo safety.
This article delves into practical considerations, outlining key considerations for ocean freight of powders and clearly comparing the cost differences between FCL and LCL.
Chapter 1: The Cornerstone of Decision Making – The Prerequisites for Choosing FCL vs. LCL
Before comparing the two, it’s crucial to clarify a core premise: the nature of your powder cargo.
Ordinary Powders: Powders that have been identified as non-dangerous goods and have no transportation restrictions. This is the fundamental premise for LCL shipping.
Dangerous Powders: Powders identified as dangerous goods (with a UN number). These goods typically can only be shipped in full container loads (FCL), and dangerous goods space needs to be applied for in advance.
Why are Dangerous Goods Difficult to Ship in LCL?
Segregation Restrictions: LCL warehouses require loading goods from different shippers into the same container, but dangerous goods have strict segregation requirements from other goods, which is extremely difficult to achieve operationally.
Regulatory Risks: If a problem occurs with one dangerous goods item, it may affect all goods in the container, making it difficult to determine liability.
Warehouse Refusal: Most LCL companies’ general warehouses are not qualified to receive and handle dangerous goods.
Therefore, the following discussion will mainly focus on “common powders,” with special notes on the differences for dangerous goods.
Chapter 2: Precautions and Cost Analysis for Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping
A. Precautions
Booking and Declaration:
Common Powder: The shipping company must be truthfully informed that the cargo is “POWDER” or “NON-HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL POWDER,” and a Certificate of Cargo Transport Conditions must be provided as required. Some shipping companies have special guarantee requirements for powders.
Dangerous Powder: Dangerous goods space must be applied for in advance, and a complete Dangerous Goods Declaration Form, MSDS, and Certificate of Cargo Transport Conditions must be provided. The cut-off time for orders is much earlier than for general cargo.
Packing Operations:
Professional Supervision of Loading: It is recommended that professional personnel supervise the loading at the factory or warehouse to ensure that the packaging is undamaged and that reinforcement is carried out strictly according to requirements.
Leakage and Moisture Prevention: Plastic film or desiccant should be laid inside the container to prevent powder leakage, contamination of the container, or moisture damage. Leaks may result in high container cleaning fees and port fines.
Reinforcement and Strapping: For bagged or drummed powders, effective securing with straps, airbags, or other tools is mandatory to prevent collapse or damage due to bumps and shaking during transportation.
Weight Distribution: Ensure that the weight of the goods is evenly distributed within the container to avoid concentrated loads, which may damage the container or create transportation safety hazards.
Customs Declaration and Clearance:
Ensure that the declared product name, HS code, and provided documents are completely consistent. Customs has a relatively high inspection rate for powdered goods.
B. Cost Analysis (FCL)
FCL cost is quoted per container and mainly includes:
Cost Item | Description | Characteristics
- Ocean Freight: Basic port-to-port freight. Usually quoted as an all-inclusive price, including surcharges such as O/F, BAF, and CAF. Dangerous goods ocean freight has additional surcharges.
- Port of Loading Local Charges: THC (Terminal Handling Charge), customs fees, document fees, VGM declaration fees, booking fees, etc. Fixed expenses, collected by the freight forwarder in one lump sum.
- Destination Port Local Charges: Paid by the consignee, but the shipper needs to understand in advance, including THC, unpacking fees, trucking fees, etc. To avoid unforeseen high costs at the destination port.
- Packaging and Loading Costs: UN certified packaging costs, labor and equipment costs for loading at the factory/warehouse. A major hidden cost; high-quality packaging and professional loading are the foundation of safety.
- Insurance Costs: Purchasing transportation insurance for the cargo. Highly recommended for purchase. Powder cargo has a higher accident rate, and this product can cover the risk of damage and loss.
Advantages: Flexible operation, good privacy, reduced intermediate handling links, reduced risk of cargo damage and contamination.
Disadvantages: High overall cost, requires a sufficiently large cargo volume.
Chapter 3: Precautions and Cost Analysis for LCL Shipping
A. Precautions
Strict Cargo Nature: Again, it must be ordinary powder. LCL companies have extremely strict cargo inspection requirements.
Special Packaging Requirements:
Leak prevention is lifeline: Your cargo will be tightly stacked with cargo from dozens of other shippers (potentially textiles, electronics, etc.). Any minor leak can cause cross-contamination, leading to huge claims. Therefore, the airtightness of the inner packaging (heat sealing) and the sturdiness of the outer packaging (heavy-duty cartons/stretch film) are crucial.
Clear Markings: The outer packaging must clearly display labels such as “Keep Dry” and “This Side Up,” and clearly state the consignee’s information for easy identification in the LCL warehouse.
Booking and Cut-off Time:
Requires coordination with the LCL company’s cut-off schedule, resulting in low flexibility.
Accurate cargo data and certificates of conformity must be provided in advance for the LCL company to allocate cargo.
Destination Port Handling:
After the cargo arrives at the destination port, it needs to be unpacked and sorted at the LCL company’s warehouse. The consignee needs to pick up the goods from the designated warehouse, incurring additional unpacking and warehouse handling fees.
B. Cost Analysis (LCL)
LCL costs are calculated per cubic meter/per ton (whichever is greater), mainly including:
Cost Item Description Characteristics
- Ocean Freight + LCL Fee Usually quoted together, in USD/cubic meter or USD/ton. For powders, due to density issues, it is often charged by weight ton, requiring accurate estimation of volume and weight.
- Port of Loading Local Fees Similar to FCL, including THC, customs fees, document fees, etc. However, there may be a separate warehousing fee, i.e., the cost of delivering goods to the LCL warehouse.
- Destination Port Unpacking Fee: A unique fee for LCL shipments, used to unpack your goods from the container at the destination port warehouse. This is a significant amount, and standards vary greatly between destination ports, so it needs to be confirmed in advance.
- Packaging Costs: Due to extremely high requirements for preventing contamination, packaging costs may be higher than for FCL. This is a crucial investment to protect yourself from claims.
Advantages: Suitable for small batches of goods, spreading ocean freight costs, low entry barrier.
Disadvantages: More operational steps, relatively higher risk of cargo damage and contamination, destination port fees may be higher and less transparent.
Chapter 4: Practical Decision-Making and Cost Comparison Table
How to Choose?
≥ 15 cubic meters: Strongly recommend inquiring about FCL, as the total cost may be more advantageous than LCL, and operations are safer and more controllable.
< 15 cubic meters: LCL is usually a more economical choice.
Cost Comparison Diagram (using a 20 cubic meter container of ordinary powder as an example):
Cost Items: Full Container Load (FCL) (20GP container) Less than Container Load (LCL) (20 CBM)
Ocean Freight and Related Surcharges: Fixed price, e.g., $2500 $80/CBM * 20 = $1600
Local Charges at Port of Loading: Approximately $400 – $600 Approximately $300 – $500 (including warehousing fees)
Destination Port Charges (Paid by the consignee): Relatively transparent and fixed Unpacking fees may be as high as $200-$400, requiring close confirmation
Total Cost Perception: Clear and controllable Cheaper at port of loading, but be wary of hidden costs at the destination port
Cargo Security and Control: High, occupies its own container Lower, mixed with unknown goods
Final Recommendations:
Identification First: Regardless of the method, an authoritative “Cargo Transport Conditions Certificate” is the cornerstone of negotiation.
Transparent Declaration: Always provide 100% accurate cargo information to the freight forwarder to avoid hefty fines and risks later.
Packaging is King: Every penny invested in packaging is to save ten or even a hundred times the cost of potential future claims, penalties, and cargo damage.
Get a Full Quote: Request a complete quote from the freight forwarder that includes all charges at both the port of origin and port of destination to avoid being “quoted low and then overcharged.”