Sourcing guide · Logistics
Container loading: the maths
that decides your margin
Freight is where small furniture orders quietly lose money. Here is how CBM, FCL and LCL actually work — and how mixed-model containers let you ship a range instead of betting on one chair.
Why container maths matters more than unit price
A chair quoted at $42 FOB can land at $58 or at $51 depending on how it is packed and shipped. The difference is not the price list — it is volume utilisation. Furniture is bulky and light, so carriers charge for space (CBM), not weight. Every empty cubic metre you ship is freight you paid for and cannot sell.
CBM, explained without the jargon
CBM means cubic metre: length × width × height in metres. A carton of 0.65 × 0.60 × 1.05 m is 0.41 CBM. Multiply by the number of cartons and you have your shipment volume. Two numbers matter when you plan an order:
- Knocked-down volume — how the chair ships (assembled, semi-knocked-down or flat-packed). Disassembly is usually the single biggest freight saving available.
- Stackability — cartons that cannot be stacked pay for air above them. Ask for the loading plan, not just the carton size.
FCL vs LCL: when each one wins
| Option | Best when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| FCL (full container) | You can fill a 20ft or 40ft container, alone or with mixed models | You pay for the whole box even if it is 80% full |
| LCL (groupage) | Small trial orders that genuinely cannot wait for a consolidated container | Per-CBM rates are several times higher; more handling means more damage risk |
The rule of thumb buyers learn the hard way: if your volume is above roughly half a 20ft container, consolidating to a full container with additional models usually costs less per unit than shipping LCL — and the extra models are inventory you can sell.
What fits in a container?
Typical planning figures for office seating, assuming standard disassembly. Treat these as planning ranges, not promises — actual quantities depend on the model, packing method and carton dimensions:
- 20ft container: roughly 25–33 CBM usable; often 150–250 task chairs.
- 40ft container: roughly 55–67 CBM usable; often 350–500 task chairs.
- 40ft high-cube: about 10% more height than a standard 40ft.
Always ask the factory for a loading plan with carton counts and CBM. A supplier who cannot produce one has not shipped many containers.
Mixed containers: how a range becomes affordable
This is the practical answer to MOQ pressure. Instead of ordering 300 pieces of one model, you order 40–60 pieces each of five or six models and load them together. Your per-model commitment drops; your container still ships full. Our consolidation service exists exactly for this — we coordinate multiple Foshan factories into one loading plan, one inspection and one set of documents.
Loading day: what to insist on
- Photos of the empty container (clean, dry, no holes, no smell).
- Carton count verified against the packing list before loading starts.
- Loading supervision photos at intervals, plus the sealed container number.
- Weight distribution check — heavy pallets at the floor, nothing crushing upholstery.
If nobody is watching the container being loaded, you are trusting that everything discussed actually shipped. Ask us for a quote with loading supervision included.
Frequently asked questions
How is CBM calculated for furniture?
Multiply carton length × width × height in metres, then multiply by the number of cartons. Furniture is charged by volume, not weight, so reducing carton size or shipping knocked-down directly reduces your freight cost.
Is it cheaper to ship LCL or a full container?
Per CBM, a full container is almost always cheaper. LCL wins only for small trial volumes that cannot wait — and even then, consolidating several models into one full container usually beats LCL above roughly half a 20ft load.
Can I mix different models in one container?
Yes — mixed-model loading is standard practice when buying through a sourcing office that consolidates several factories. It lets you commit to small quantities per model while still shipping a full, cost-efficient container.
How many office chairs fit in a 20ft container?
As a planning range, roughly 150–250 task chairs depending on the model, disassembly and carton design. Always ask for a loading plan with carton counts and CBM before you commit.
Ready when you are