Many importers begin with the same question:
"How much does a 40-foot container to Lagos cost?"
In reality, there are two more important questions:
- How much cargo am I actually shipping?
- When will my final supplier deliver?
Ocean freight rates matter, but they are only one part of the total logistics cost.
A dedicated container may appear inexpensive until you realise that half of its capacity is empty. A shared container may have a higher cost per cubic metre, yet still be the more economical solution because you only pay for the space your cargo occupies.
Start with your shipment, not the freight rate
Before requesting a quotation, gather the following information:
- estimated cargo volume (m³);
- total shipment weight;
- number and type of pallets or packages;
- type of cargo, including whether it is regulated or classified as dangerous goods;
- destination port;
- expected delivery date of the final supplier.
These details allow your logistics provider to recommend the most suitable transport solution.
Without them, any quotation can only be an estimate.
When is a shared container the better option?
A shared container, commonly referred to as LCL (Less than Container Load), allows several exporters shipping to the same destination to share one container.
LCL is often the best choice when:
- you purchase from several German suppliers;
- deliveries arrive over several weeks;
- your shipment does not justify a full container;
- preserving working capital is a priority;
- you prefer to pay only for the space you actually use.
For smaller or irregular purchasing projects, LCL is frequently the most cost-effective solution.
Don't buy extra products just to fill a container
A common mistake among importers is ordering additional products simply to make better use of a container's unused space.
Household appliances, bicycles or other resale goods are sometimes added even though they were never part of the original purchasing plan.
At first glance, this appears to improve container utilisation.
In reality, it often creates new costs and additional business risk.
Extra inventory ties up working capital, increases storage requirements, adds customs declarations and creates additional products that must be sold after arrival.
Instead of improving profitability, it can complicate what was originally a straightforward import project.
In many cases, shipping your actual order as LCL is more economical than purchasing additional goods simply to justify a full container.
The goal is not to fill every cubic metre.
The goal is to minimise the total cost of your supply chain.
When does FCL make sense?
A Full Container Load (FCL) becomes the better solution when:
- your cargo occupies most of the container;
- similar shipment volumes are exported on a regular basis;
- valuable or sensitive cargo requires exclusive use of the container;
- machinery or project cargo already fills most of the available space;
- insurance or operational requirements make cargo separation necessary.
An FCL shipment also provides greater control over loading, cargo securing and container sealing.
Container capacity as a general guideline
Actual container utilisation depends on pallet dimensions, cargo weight and how efficiently the shipment can be loaded.
As a general reference:
- 20-foot container: approximately 28–33 m³
- 40-foot container: approximately 55–67 m³
- 40-foot High Cube: up to approximately 76 m³
These figures should only be treated as guidelines.
Cargo that cannot be stacked, oversized items or weight restrictions can significantly reduce the usable capacity.
If your shipment occupies only a small portion of a container, ask your logistics provider to compare both LCL and FCL before making a decision.
Waiting for a full container also has a cost
Some businesses postpone shipments until enough cargo has accumulated to justify a dedicated container.
Sometimes this approach makes financial sense.
However, waiting also creates costs that are often overlooked.
These may include:
- longer storage periods;
- delayed product availability;
- working capital tied up in inventory;
- additional coordination between suppliers;
- postponed revenue from delayed deliveries.
A logistics hub allows cargo to be received, stored and consolidated in an organised way until the shipment is ready for export.
A quotation should show every cost clearly
A professional quotation should separate the individual services involved in the shipment.
This normally includes:
- cargo reception;
- handling;
- storage;
- container loading;
- ocean freight;
- export documentation;
- customs or export formalities where applicable.
For LCL shipments, the quotation should also explain how freight charges are calculated, whether by volume, weight or a combination of both.
Transparent quotations make it easier to compare logistics providers and avoid unexpected costs later.
Consider destination costs as well
The decision between LCL and FCL should never be based only on costs in Germany.
Depending on the destination country, LCL shipments may involve additional deconsolidation or handling charges.
FCL shipments, on the other hand, can generate detention or demurrage costs if containers are not collected or returned on time.
A complete comparison should therefore include both origin and destination costs before choosing the shipping method.
Documentation remains essential
Whether you choose LCL or FCL, complete documentation is essential for a smooth import process.
Typical export documents include:
- commercial invoice;
- packing list;
- cargo description;
- transport documents;
- any certificates or permits required for the shipment.
Your freight forwarder should receive these documents before the vessel arrives so import clearance can begin without unnecessary delays.
Our recommendation
For businesses shipping smaller or irregular volumes, LCL is often the most practical and economical solution.
As shipment volumes increase and containers become consistently well utilised, moving to FCL usually becomes the better option.
The decision should be based on:
- actual shipment volume;
- shipping frequency;
- total logistics cost;
- cargo requirements;
- destination charges.
Choosing the right shipping method is not about using the largest container.
It is about selecting the solution that delivers the lowest total cost while supporting a reliable supply chain.
Not sure which option is right for your shipment?
MTN Logistics receives deliveries from multiple German suppliers, stores your cargo until every order has arrived and organises both LCL and FCL exports.
Tell us what you are shipping, your estimated volume and your destination port.
We'll compare both options and provide a transparent quotation covering storage, handling and ocean freight before your shipment moves.