What are full container load and less than truckload?

1, Full container transportation
Full container transportation refers to the method of filling a container with goods of the same type or destination, and then sealing it for transportation. There are generally two types of standard container sizes: 20 feet and 40 feet, with 40 foot containers being more common. Full container transportation is usually suitable for bulk goods, large quantities of goods, or goods that require container closure protection.
The characteristics of full container transportation mainly include:
Classification of goods: Full container transportation usually requires the same type of goods or the same destination to ensure tighter and more efficient packaging.
Sealing: The container is sealed, which can effectively protect the goods from external environment and damage.
Efficiency: Full container transportation saves loading and unloading time and improves the transportation efficiency of goods.
The advantages of full container transportation include:
Strong protection: Due to the goods being sealed in the container, external factors such as weather and pollution are avoided from affecting the goods.
Convenient loading and unloading: Full container transportation usually only requires one loading and unloading operation, reducing labor and time costs.
Batch transportation: suitable for bulk goods and can reduce the transportation cost per unit of goods.
The disadvantages of full container transportation include:
Not suitable for small batch goods: For small batch goods, full container transportation may have higher costs.
International transportation is complex: International full container transportation requires consideration of factors such as tariffs and customs procedures, which are relatively complex.
2, Less than truckload transportation
Less than truckload transportation refers to the mode of consolidating scattered goods from multiple different shippers and conducting centralized transportation through shared transportation tools and routes. Less than truckload transportation is suitable for small-scale goods, goods from different destinations, and situations where the types of goods are relatively diverse.
The characteristics of less than truckload transportation mainly include:
Mixed loading of goods: Less than truckload transportation usually involves mixing goods from different shippers together to form a centralized batch of goods.
Flexibility: Suitable for small batches of goods and scattered destinations, with strong flexibility.
Relatively low cost: For small-scale goods, less than truckload transportation can reduce the transportation cost per unit of goods.
The advantages of less than truckload transportation include:
Wide applicability: For small-scale goods and goods from different destinations, less than truckload transportation is more flexible.
Low cost: Compared to full container transportation, less than truckload transportation can avoid high costs caused by smaller cargo sizes.
The disadvantages of less than truckload transportation include:
Frequent loading and unloading: Due to the involvement of multiple cargo owners in less than truckload transportation, loading and unloading operations are more frequent, which increases time and labor costs.
Relatively poor protection of goods: Compared to full container transportation, less than truckload transportation has poor protection of goods and is easily affected by the external environment.
3, The application of full container and less than truckload
In actual commercial operations, both full container and less than truckload transportation have their own application areas.
Application of full container transportation
Bulk cargo: Full container transportation is suitable for bulk cargo, ensuring that the goods are tightly loaded and improving transportation efficiency.
High value goods: For some high-value goods, full container transportation can provide more rigorous protection and reduce the risk of cargo loss.
International trade: In international trade, full container transportation is more common, which can simplify customs procedures and improve customs clearance efficiency.
The application of less than truckload transportation
Small scale goods: For small scale goods, less than truckload transportation can combine multiple goods for transportation, reducing the transportation cost per unit of goods.
Destination dispersion: When goods need to be dispersed and delivered to different destinations, less than truckload transportation is more suitable and has strong flexibility.
Small businesses: For some smaller businesses, less than truckload transportation is an economical option that can reduce logistics costs.