Since the container is a new modern transportation method, it is different from traditional cargo transportation and its methods are different. At present, there is no effective and universally accepted uniform method for container transportation in the world. However, in dealing with specific container business, countries generally have similar practices. Based on the current international common practices for container business, the brief introduction is as follows:

1. How to pack container cargo

According to the quantity and method of packing container goods, it can be divided into two types: FCL and LCL.

(1) Full Container Load (FCL). It refers to the container that the cargo party consigns after the cargo party fills the whole container by itself. This situation is usually used when the cargo owner has enough cargo sources to load one or several full containers. Except for some large cargo owners who have their own containers, they usually rent certain containers from the carrier or container leasing company. After the empty container is transported to the factory or warehouse, under the supervision of customs officers, the owner puts the goods into the container, locks, aluminum seals, and delivers the goods to the carrier and obtains the station receipt. Finally, the receipt is exchanged for the bill of lading or waybill.

(2) LCL (Less Than Container Load, LCL). It means that after the carrier (or agent) accepts the consignor's consignment of less than the whole box of small tickets, it will sort it according to the nature of the cargo and the destination. Consolidate the goods to the same destination into a certain number and pack them into boxes. Since there are different cargo owners' goods assembled together in a box, it is called LCL. This situation is used when the consignor's consignment quantity is insufficient to fill the entire container. The classification, sorting, concentration, packing (unpacking), and delivery of LCL cargo are all carried out at the carrier's terminal container freight station or inland container transfer station.

2. Container cargo handover method

As mentioned above, container freight is divided into FCL and LCL, so there are differences in handover methods. Looking at the current international practices, there are roughly the following four categories:

(1) FCL delivery, FCL connection (FCL/FCL)

The owner of the consignor delivers the full container to the carrier at the factory or warehouse, and the consignee receives the same container at the destination. In other words, the carrier is responsible for the delivery of the entire container. The packing and unpacking of the goods are the responsibility of the cargo owner.

(2) LCL delivery and unpacking connection (LCL/LCL)

The consignor will deliver the small-ticket consignment that is less than the entire container to the carrier at the container freight station or inland transfer station, and the carrier is responsible for consolidation and stuffing (Vanning) to the destination freight station or inland transfer station. The carrier is responsible for unstuffing (Unstuffing, Devantting). After unpacking, the consignee will receive the goods with the receipt. The packing and unpacking of the goods are the responsibility of the carrier.

(3) FCL delivery, unpacking connection (FCL/LCL)

The owner of the consignor delivers the full container to the carrier at the factory or warehouse. After the carrier is responsible for unpacking at the container freight station or inland transfer station at the destination, each consignee will receive the goods by voucher.

(4) LCL delivery, FCL connection (LCL/FCL)

The consignor will deliver the small-ticket consignment that is less than the entire container to the carrier at a container freight station or an inland transfer station. The carrier classifies and adjusts the goods of the same consignee. The goods of the same consignee are assembled into FCL. After the goods are delivered to the destination, the carrier will deliver the goods in FCL and the consignee will receive them in FCL.

Among the various transfer methods mentioned above, the FCL transfer and FCL transfer have the best effect, and they can also give full play to the advantages of the container.