Africa LCL vs FCL Container Breakeven Calculator
For a small manufacturer importing components or raw materials, the question is when to stop paying consolidators per cubic metre and book a whole container. This calculator finds that point from two quotes.
Your numbers
Documentation, CFS handling, destination devanning and similar.
Terminal handling, documentation, seal and trucking surcharges.
A 20ft container is roughly 28 to 30 cbm usable, a 40ft about 58 to 60.
Your results
Uses simple per-cbm LCL pricing, which is often charged on the greater of volume or weight. Use your quoted figures.
LCL vs FCL cost by volume
Sweeps Shipment volume from 1 to 56, holding your other inputs fixed.
PO consolidation planner
Optional: an ERP-based view of open orders that could share a container.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use it
Enter the shipment volume, the LCL rate and fixed charges, and the FCL rate with its fixed charges. Set the usable capacity of the container you plan to book. The result compares both totals and shows the breakeven volume for a single container.
The formula
LCL total is volume times the per-cbm rate plus fixed charges. FCL total is the number of containers times the container rate plus fixed charges. The breakeven volume is where the two meet: (FCL rate plus FCL charges minus LCL fixed charges) divided by the LCL rate. Above that volume a full container is cheaper, even if it is not full.
Reading the result
The chart shows LCL rising in a straight line and FCL as a flat step that jumps when a second container is needed. In the default case the lines cross at about 29 cbm, which is above single container capacity, so LCL stays cheaper for smaller loads. Compare the breakeven to your usual shipment size.
Other factors
LCL adds transit time because cargo is consolidated and deconsolidated, and it increases handling damage risk. FCL gives control over seals and customs inspection of a single consignee. Weigh these against price, and remember that LCL is often charged on weight or volume, whichever is greater.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cbm?
A cubic metre, the unit used to price LCL cargo. Multiply length, width and height in metres for each package and add them up. Consolidators may apply a minimum of one cbm per bill of lading.
How much cargo fits in a 20ft container?
Practical usable volume is typically 28 to 30 cbm, and the payload limit is usually around 25 to 28 tonnes depending on the line. Dense cargo can reach the weight limit before the volume limit.
Is LCL always slower?
Generally yes, because the cargo has to be consolidated at origin and deconsolidated at destination, which adds days at both ends. The delay varies a lot between routes and ports.
Should I include customs duty?
No. Duty and VAT are the same whichever method you use, assuming the same goods and value. The tool compares freight and handling only.
If your ERP holds purchase order volumes, we can add a simple consolidation planner that suggests when to combine orders into a full container.
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