Your Own Container, Port to Port or Door to Door
FCL Shipping From Canada
20ft and 40ft Full Container Load Ocean Freight
Book Your FCL Container
20ft, 40ft and high cube containers to ports worldwide
Your Container Only
The container is sealed at origin and opened at destination, with no shared cargo.
Reliable Sailings
Bookings with major carriers on regular sailings from Canadian ports.
One Contact Throughout
A single point of contact from container delivery to final release.
Door or Port Delivery
Ship port to port or have us handle trucking at both ends.
How FCL Shipping Works
Full container load, or FCL, means you book a whole container for your cargo. It is the most secure and often the fastest way to ship larger volumes by sea.
1
Get an FCL Quote
Tell us the container size, what you are shipping, the origin and the destination.
2
Container Delivery and Loading
An empty container is delivered to you for loading, or your cargo is loaded at a warehouse.
3
Export and Sailing
We file the export documents and your sealed container sails on the booked vessel.
4
Arrival and Delivery
At destination, once the container is released, we arrange delivery or pickup.
Ready to start? A quote takes about two minutes.
Choosing the Right Container Size
A 20ft container holds about 33 cubic metres, enough for roughly 10 standard pallets or a one to two bedroom home. A 40ft container holds about 67 cubic metres, and a 40ft high cube adds extra height for bulky cargo.
Learn more about container types.
When a Full Container Beats a Shared One
Once your shipment is more than about 13 to 15 cubic metres, a full container usually costs about the same as LCL and moves faster, because it skips consolidation and deconsolidation.
For smaller shipments, LCL shipping lets you share a container and pay only for the space you use.
Paperwork for FCL Shipping From Canada
FCL shipping needs a commercial invoice, a packing list and a bill of lading, plus an export declaration for many shipments. We prepare the documents and file the export declaration for you.
The CBSA export guide explains when a declaration is required.
Accurate weights matter too: every container must have a verified gross mass before it is loaded on the vessel, and we take care of that as part of your FCL shipping booking.
Machinery and Commercial Cargo
Full containers aren't only for household moves. We ship industrial equipment, machinery and commercial goods in 20ft and 40ft containers, with flat racks and open tops for pieces that won't fit inside a standard box.
Too big for a container? See heavy equipment hauling.
Ocean Freight Experts You Can Trust
World Cargo has shipped full containers from Canada since 2008. We work with carriers such as Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM and ONE, and handle every step from booking to release.
Learn More About Container Shipping
Guides, shipping tips and updates from the ports and routes we ship on, written by our team to help you plan your next shipment.
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Looking for something specific? Every guide and update is on the blog.
FCL Shipping Questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. Open a question for the short answer.
Still have questions?
Talk to a real person. Our Vancouver team answers the phone and replies to every enquiry.
What does FCL mean in shipping?
FCL means full container load: you book an entire container for your cargo, sealed at origin and opened at destination.
How much does it cost to ship a 20ft or 40ft container?
Container rates depend on the route, container size, season and carrier, plus trucking and port charges. Request a quote for current pricing.
How long does FCL shipping take?
Transit depends on the route and sailing schedule. Ocean transit is typically a few weeks, plus time for trucking and release at the destination.
Can I load the container myself?
Yes. We can deliver an empty container to your location for loading, or arrange loading at a warehouse.
Is FCL cheaper than LCL?
For shipments over about 13 to 15 cubic metres, a full container is often similar in price to LCL and arrives faster.
How much cargo fits in a 20ft container?
About 33 cubic metres, roughly 10 standard pallets, with a maximum payload of around 28 tonnes depending on the carrier.
Can you deliver the container to my door?
Yes. We arrange container delivery for loading and delivery at destination, or port to port if you prefer.
Do you offer refrigerated or flat rack containers?
Yes. Reefer, open top and flat rack containers are available for temperature-sensitive and oversized cargo.
Have more questions?