The cost of an international move largely depends on the size of your shipment. The more household goods and personal effects you have, the more space they occupy and that’s one of the main factors influencing your relocation cost. There are several ways to move your belongings internationally, and choosing the right shipping method can make a big difference in your budget.
Are you planning an international relocation but looking to minimize your moving costs? In this article, we’ll help you understand the different options available, from LCL (Less than Container Load) and FCL (Full Container Load) 20ft / 40ft containers to groupage shipments, so you can select the most cost-effective and efficient solution for your move.
What you need to know about LCL (Less than Container Load)
LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping is a cost-effective option for international moving when your shipment has a small volume. It’s ideal where the total volume of your household goods and personal effects isn’t enough to require a full container.
With LCL, you only pay for the space your shipment actually occupies, instead of the full container. For example, a standard 20 foot container can hold around 30 cubic meters (CBM). If your shipment is only about 4 CBM, booking an entire container would be inefficient and expensive. LCL shipping calculates the freight cost based on the volume of your shipment, making it an ideal solution for small international moves.
LCL is generally recommended for shipments under 10 CBM. The smaller the volume, the more cost-effective LCL shipping becomes compared to booking a full container, making it a smart choice for anyone planning an international relocation.
Full Container Load for International Moves
FCL (Full Container Load) shipping is the best option when you have enough household goods and personal belongings to fill an entire shipping container. This option is commonly used for international moving of larger households. Unlike LCL, with FCL you book the whole container for your shipment, giving you exclusive use of the container without sharing it without anyone else.
20-foot and 40-foot containers are the standard sizes for FCL:
- 20-foot container: Suitable for medium-sized moves, such as the contents of a 2-3 bedroom home. It has a usable space of around 30 CBM.
- 40-foot container: Ideal for larger households or bigger moves, with a usable space of around 60-70 CBM
With FCL, your belongings are transported directly from your origin to your destination without being combined with other shipments. This reduces the risk of damage, allows for faster transit times, and simplifies the moving process.
When to choose FCL and why FCL can be more cost-effective :
- If your household goods nearly fill a container, generally over 10 CBM, FCL is usually more cost-effective than LCL.
- If you prefer a direct shipment without any consolidation, which often makes international relocation smoother and faster.
- When you have a large volume of belongings, paying for LCL by volume may end up costing more than booking an entire container. With FCL, you pay a flat rate for the container, which can be cheaper per CBM if you are moving a significant number of household goods.
For anyone planning an international move, FCL shipping via a 20-foot or 40-foot container is often the most practical, secure, and cost-effective option for transporting all of your household goods safely.
What are Groupage Shipments ?
Groupage shipments are a cost-effective solution for international moving when your household goods don’t fill an entire container. Similar to LCL, your belongings are consolidated with other shipments in the same container.
The key difference is that groupage is organized and managed by your moving company, which takes care of the door-to-door service, from the packing, labeling, consolidation, to the delivery of each shipment to its final destination.
LCL, on the other hand, is organized by a freight forwarder, who collects shipments from different clients or companies and often goes to different regions or ports. Groupage typically involves shipments bound for the same region, for example, international relocations from Thailand to Europe or from Europe to Thailand.
At A1 Relocations, we manage the origin services in Thailand and consolidate all shipments into a single container. This container is then shipped to Rotterdam, where our destination partners handle deconsolidation and arrange final deliveries to countries such as France, the UK, Spain, Germany, Italy and more. Likewise, for inbound groupage shipments to Thailand, we oversee the deconsolidation process and deliver each shipment to its respective destination like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui and nationwide.
Groupage shipping is ideal for smaller international moves where saving on shipping costs is a priority and you’re comfortable sharing container space with other shipments. However, this depends on availability.
A1 Relocations can offer international moving services via groupage shipments mainly on the following routes:
- Hong Kong to Europe
- Hong Kong to Thailand
- Singapore to Thailand
- France to Thailand
- Thailand to Europe
- Thailand to Australia
- Thailand to USA
Read more about our groupage shipping solutions here!
Why Choose A1 Relocations for Your International Move
A1 Relocations, part of A1 Integrated Services, is a trusted international moving company specializing in tailored door-to-door relocation services worldwide. With expertise across air, sea, and land transportation, we handle every aspect of household goods moving with care and precision.
Known for our responsive service, clear communication, and seamless coordination, we make international relocation simpler, safer, and stress-free for our clients. While our headquarters are in Hong Kong, we maintain a strong operational presence in Thailand, managing the majority of shipments to and from the country.
As a member of the International Association of Movers (IAM), the largest global trade association in the moving and forwarding industry, we have access to a trusted worldwide network of partners. This enables us to provide professional, reliable, and cost-effective international moving solutions anywhere in the world.
We will ensure to offer the best solution whether LCL, FCL, or Groupage, proposing the most cost-effective option while maintaining a high standard of service.
