Shipping Modes
Container Freight Station (CFS)
A facility where LCL consignments from multiple shippers are consolidated into containers for export, and deconsolidated on import.
In depth
The CFS is where LCL actually happens. On export it receives loose cargo from many shippers, checks and measures it, and stuffs it into a container for a given destination; on import it strips the container and holds each consignment for its consignee. This is where LCL's extra transit days go, and where its extra handling risk sits. CFS charges at destination are frequently a larger share of an LCL shipment's cost than the ocean freight, and they are often invoiced to the consignee after arrival rather than quoted up front.
Key points
- Consolidates LCL cargo for export, deconsolidates on import
- The source of LCL's additional transit time and handling
- Destination CFS charges often exceed the ocean freight
- Cargo is measured and re-rated here — declared dimensions get checked