Sea freight: container shipping and LCL groupage, import and export
Sea freight by full container load or LCL groupage: container choice, stuffing, documents and customs clearance, so you can ship your volumes at the best cost.
Sea freight, the answer for volume
For pallets, machinery, a household removal or an entire stock, shipping by sea remains the most economical route. Transit takes longer than by air, but the capacity is unmatched. We help you choose between a full container and groupage, then organise the transport, the documents and final delivery.
FCL: a container all to yourself
When your volume justifies it, a dedicated container offers security and simplicity: it is sealed at loading and only opened at destination, unless customs inspects it. We select the right size and arrange stuffing at your site or in a port warehouse.
- 20’, 40’ and 40’ High Cube
- Reefer, open-top, flat-rack
- Stuffing on site or at the port
- Road pre- and on-carriage
LCL: pay only for the space you use
Only have a few pallets or parcels? With groupage, your goods share a container with other shipments. Charges are based on weight or volume using the W/M rule (1 t = 1 m³): whichever is higher applies.
- From a single pallet or a few parcels
- Warehouse consolidation
- Ideal for SMEs, e-commerce and private customers
Sea freight
Import and export
Shipments to and from Europe, according to the Incoterm agreed with your trading partner.
Bill of lading under control
Preparation and checking of the bill of lading (B/L), the key document of title to the goods.
Specialist cargo
Temperature-controlled products, dangerous goods (IMDG Code), vehicles or out-of-gauge cargo.
Customs included on request
Export and import declarations handled in the same file as the transport.
| Criterion | Full container load (FCL) | Groupage (LCL) |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable volume | Large, well-filled container | Small to medium, a few pallets |
| Charging | Per container | Per m³ or per tonne (W/M) |
| Handling | Limited, sealed container | More frequent (consolidation, deconsolidation) |
| Transit time | More direct | Slightly longer |
| Who is it for? | Manufacturers, removals, vehicles | SMEs, online retailers, private customers |
The right container for your cargo
Full container (FCL) or groupage (LCL): we help you choose the equipment that fits the volume, weight and nature of your goods.
20’ container
The compact size, ideal for heavy goods or medium volumes.
40’ container
Twice as long, for bulky loads at a lower cost per m³.
40’ HC container
The High Cube version, roughly 30 cm taller, for extra volume.
Reefer
Refrigerated container for fresh, frozen or temperature-sensitive products.
Open-top
Removable tarpaulin roof, for top-loading tall or awkward items.
Flat-rack
Platform without side walls, designed for machinery, vehicles and out-of-gauge cargo.
FAQ
At what volume does a full container load become worthwhile?
It depends on the route and the goods. Beyond a certain number of pallets, FCL can work out cheaper than groupage: we compare both options for you.
What is the difference between a 40’ and a 40’ High Cube?
Same length, but the High Cube is roughly 30 cm taller.
Who loads the container?
You can load it yourself at your site, or leave the stuffing to us in a warehouse, securing and bracing included.
A container or a few pallets to ship?
Give us the volume, weight and destination: we will point you to the most suitable FCL or LCL option.