A CFS, or Container Freight Station, is a warehouse or logistics facility where cargo is consolidated or deconsolidated before or after international container transport. For exports, a CFS receives smaller LCL shipments from multiple shippers and loads them into one container. For imports, it unloads a consolidated container and separates freight by consignee or destination. CFS facilities support LCL shipping, customs handling, cargo inspection, storage, documentation, and final distribution.
A Container Freight Station (CFS) is a facility near ports where LCL shipments are consolidated into containers for export or stripped from containers upon import. It is the hub for all LCL cargo movements.
CFS Operations
- Export CFS: receives LCL cargo from multiple shippers, consolidates into full containers, delivers to terminal
- Import CFS: receives inbound containers, strips cargo, releases each shipment to its consignee
- Operated or contracted by freight forwarders and NVOCCs
Each vessel sailing has a CFS cutoff deadline. Missing it rolls cargo to the next available sailing.
For related logistics context, see Dedola’s ocean freight shipping services and glossary entries on LCL, NVOCC, Consolidation, and FCL.
