Three shipment modes
Full container load (FCL) suits bagged, palletised and frozen goods: one buyer, one container, sealed at loading. Standard 20-foot and 40-foot dry containers carry most bagged commodities, while 40-foot reefers carry frozen meat and fish at a set temperature.
Breakbulk moves large individual units — steel coils, timber packages, machinery — loaded piece by piece in the hold. Bulk vessels carry loose cargo such as grain, urea or pellets in parcels that typically start at several thousand tonnes.
How lot size follows the mode
In general market practice, container buyers think in numbers of containers per shipment or per month, while bulk buyers think in vessel parcels with a tolerance (for example ±10% at the vessel's option). Payload per container depends on the product's density, packing and road-weight limits at origin and destination, so it is confirmed per product rather than assumed.
If your volume sits between the two, ask whether a containerised or breakbulk option is realistic before committing to a bulk tender.
Choosing an Incoterm
Incoterms® 2020, published by the ICC, define who arranges and pays for carriage and insurance and where risk passes. FOB, CFR and CIF are designed for sea and inland-waterway transport, typically bulk and breakbulk. For containers, the ICC points buyers towards FCA, CPT or CIP, because risk on containers normally passes at the terminal rather than on board.
DAP, DPU and DDP place delivery at the destination; DDP also puts import clearance and duties on the seller, which is rarely practical for commodities. Incoterms do not cover title transfer, payment or the quality of the goods — those belong in the contract.
Documents and inspection
Commodity shipments usually move with a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin, plus product-specific documents: health or veterinary certificates for food, phytosanitary certificates for plant products and timber, and analysis or mill certificates for fertilizers and metals. Pre-shipment inspection by an independent surveyor is common; agree the company, sampling point and whose certificate is final.
Always check your own country's import requirements before contracting — they decide which certificates and labels are mandatory.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I use FOB or FCA for container shipments?
- The ICC recommends FCA for containerised goods, because the seller normally hands the container over at a terminal before it is loaded on board. FOB remains common in practice, but it fits bulk and breakbulk cargo better.
- Does CIF insurance cover everything?
- No. Under Incoterms® 2020, CIF requires only minimum cover (Institute Cargo Clauses C), while CIP requires broader cover (Clauses A). Buyers who need more protection under CIF should ask for it explicitly.
For professional buyers
Request a current quotation
BSL Enterprises confirms specification, availability and terms for each transaction in a written quotation. To receive a precise offer, include:
- Quantity per shipment and per year
- Destination port or delivery place
- Grade, specification and packaging
- Preferred Incoterm and documents
Products covered in this guide: Urea 46% N Granular, Frozen Chicken Leg Quarters, Wood Pellets, Hot-Rolled Steel Coils, 40 ft High Cube Container (40HC / HQ), 20 ft Reefer Container, Excavator.
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Editorial note: this guide summarises general procurement practice and recognised trade and specification frameworks where they apply. It is reviewed and updated as needed and is not a statement of BSL stock, pricing or capacity.