Container Freight Station (CFS)

What is a Container Freight Station (CFS)

A container freight station (CFS) is a key facility for importing and exporting goods, mainly used for consolidating (LCL) or splitting (FCL) consolidated goods. It is usually located near transportation hubs such as ports, airports, and railway junctions to handle the transfer of goods efficiently. CFSs mainly serve LCL; that is, when the goods of a single owner are not enough to fill a container, the CFS will consolidate these goods with other goods and load them into a container, waiting to be transported to the destination.

Functions and processes of CFS

There are two main types of CFS:

• Origin CFS: Goods are consolidated or deconsolidated in the country of origin and prepared for shipment to the destination.
• Destination CFS: Goods are deconsolidated and delivered after arriving at the destination country.

In the CFS process, goods are consolidated at the departure point, combined into a container, and shipped to the destination. After arriving at the destination, CFS will deconsolidate the container and distribute the goods according to the final consignee to ensure the smoothness and efficiency of the entire transportation process.

The difference between CFS and container yard (CY)

Container yards (CY) are mainly used to store and handle full container loads (FCL). Unlike CFS, CY does not involve LCL or devanning services. The primary function of CFS is to handle LCL cargo and provide cargo consolidation or devanning services, while CY is mainly responsible for loading, unloading, and storing containers.

Advantages of CFS

1. Improved efficiency: By consolidating LCL shipments, CFS can help shippers save costs while ensuring that goods arrive at their destination on time.
2. Reduced costs: LCL shipping allows multiple shippers to share a container, reducing shipping costs.
3. Short-term storage: CFS provides temporary storage for goods, reducing port congestion.
4. Improve safety: Goods are more secure in a CFS, avoiding damage or theft during transport.

Cost components of a CFS

CFS costs generally include the following:

• Container shipping costs: Shipping containers from the port to the CFS.
• Consolidation and devanning costs: Charges for consolidation and devanning operations.
• Storage costs: Temporary storage of goods in the CFS.
• Customs clearance fees: Additional fees apply if the goods require customs clearance.

Where CFS is used

CFS is used for goods requiring LCL, especially sea and air freight. If the goods do not fill a container, LCL is cheaper and more flexible. CFS is also particularly suitable for goods that require short-term storage or customs clearance.

The challenges of container freight services

Despite the many advantages of container freight service, there are some particular challenges. One of the main challenges is the transparency and complexity of costs. As different suppliers and service providers have various pricing standards, shippers may need to choose multiple suppliers for comparison when making a choice.