Aluminium coil ships in cradles and panels in crates, and a full 40ft container is cheapest per unit — but for small orders you can use LCL (less-than-container-load), sharing a container and paying by volume. The trade-off is cost versus handling: LCL is cheaper for small volumes but is handled more, so packing must protect the goods. Here is how loading and LCL work, and how to keep coil and panels undamaged at sea.
FCL vs LCL — which for your order
A full container load (FCL — 20ft or 40ft) is cheapest per tonne or per m² and is handled less, best once you have enough to fill or nearly fill a container. LCL shares a container with other shippers and you pay by cubic metre, which is cheaper for small orders but the goods are consolidated and de-consolidated, so they are handled more and need robust packing.
How coil and panels are loaded
Coil loads in steel or timber cradles, secured so it cannot roll or shift — aluminium coil is heavy and a loose coil damages itself and the container. Panels ship in crates or on pallets, flat and fully supported, edge-protected, with moisture protection (desiccant, ventilated packing) so a long humid voyage does not water-stain them. Weight is distributed so the container is not overloaded on one axle.
Protecting goods for the sea voyage
Sea freight means weeks of movement, humidity and temperature swings. Keep protective film on panels, use desiccant in crates, and specify seaworthy export packing — not just domestic packing. Edge and corner protection stops the denting that shows on a facade. Confirm the supplier packs for export, especially for LCL where extra handling is guaranteed.
Planning cost and quantity
If your volume is near a container, ordering a bit more to fill FCL often lowers the per-unit cost below LCL. For genuinely small first orders or samples, LCL keeps freight affordable. Ask the supplier for both FCL and LCL freight to your port, plus the packing spec, so you compare landed cost properly with the 2024 rebate and any duty in mind.
Frequently asked questions
What is LCL shipping? Less-than-container-load — you share a container and pay by volume, cheaper for small orders but with more handling.
How much aluminium coil fits a 40ft? Roughly 20–25 tonnes; a full container (FCL) is cheapest per tonne. Small orders can go LCL.
How are panels protected at sea? Seaworthy export crates, flat and edge-protected, with protective film and desiccant against humidity to prevent water staining.
Should I use FCL or LCL? FCL if you can nearly fill a container (cheapest per unit); LCL for small first orders or samples, with robust packing.
Related: aluminium coil MOQ & container quantity · importing ACP & coil into the Gulf 2026 · aluminium coil & panel storage/handling.
Talk to the factory: GSM BuildTech (Beijing Guanshimao Technology Co., Ltd.) makes insulated aluminium panels, FR aluminium composite panels, aluminium honeycomb panels, sun louvers and PVDF aluminium coil in Tianjin, China. Email sales@insulatedaluminumroof.com or WhatsApp +86 155 2274 6824 for factory-direct pricing. See the technical reference & FAQ.