The Difference Between Container Yard and Container Freight Station

Container Freight Station (CFS) and Container Yard (CY) are two concepts that are often mentioned but easily confused. For B2B companies and e-commerce sellers, it is crucial to understand the difference between the two because they play different roles in cargo handling, storage and transportation. This article will analyze the difference between CFS and CY in detail from the perspective of a professional international fulfillment agent service provider, and provide feasible solutions to help you optimize your logistics process.

What is Container Freight Station (CFS)?

CFS, or container freight station, is a place dedicated to handling, storing and transshipping containerized cargo. Facilities used to handle LCL cargo (Less-than-Container Load, LCL) are usually located near ports, airports or railway hubs. It is not only a distribution center for goods, but also undertakes important tasks such as cargo inspection, customs declaration, and information exchange and coordination. However, the difference between CFS and CY, as well as the specific role of CFS in the logistics chain, are often issues that sellers need to solve urgently.

What are the main functions of CFS?

LCL and devanning: CFS combines the goods of multiple customers into one container, or splits the goods at the destination and distributes them to different consignees.

Temporary storage: CFS provides short-term storage services for goods so that the goods can continue to be transported.

Customs clearance and inspection: CFS is responsible for handling customs clearance and inspection of goods to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Multimodal transport support: CFS supports the conversion of goods between different modes of transportation (such as sea, air, and rail).

Ocean freight CFS is an important part of the international trade logistics chain. It connects the origin and destination of goods to ensure that goods can be transported across borders efficiently and safely. During the sea transportation process, CFS is responsible for handling LCL (less than container load), which combines goods from different shippers in the same container, thereby reducing transportation costs.

What is Container Yard (CY)?

Container Yard (CY) is a facility used to store full container loads (FCL), usually located in ports.

What are the main functions of CY?

Storage and safekeeping: CY is used to store containers that are full of goods, waiting to be loaded onto ships or waiting to be picked up after unloading.

Loading and unloading and transshipment: CY is responsible for the loading and unloading and transshipment operations of containers.

Customs supervision: CY is usually located in ports and is subject to customs supervision, but mainly handles full container loads.

In a container yard, the following activities take place:

Empty container storage: When containers are not in use, they are stored in the yard until they are needed for loading.

Transshipment: Transferring containers between ships, trucks and trains for further transportation.

Stacking: Containers are stacked in an organized manner to maximize space utilization and facilitate efficient loading and unloading.

What is the Difference Between Container Yard and Container Freight Station?

Container Yard (CY): CY is a container yard, mainly located in ports, used to store containers waiting to be loaded or unloaded. CY focuses on the storage and custody of full container loads, and is mainly used for loading, unloading and transshipment of containers. CY is a key node in the container logistics chain, but it mainly focuses on the physical storage of containers, and does not involve value-added services such as sorting and assembly of goods. It is suitable for situations where the volume of goods is large and independent containers are required. .

Container Freight Station (CFS): In contrast, CFS has more functions. It not only provides storage services for containers, but is also responsible for receiving, sorting, and assembling goods from different shippers, and then transshipping them to the next destination. CFS focuses on the handling of LCL goods, including consolidation, devanning, customs clearance and short-term storage, and is suitable for situations where the volume of goods is not enough to fill a full container. CFS plays the role of a transit station in international trade, greatly improving logistics efficiency and flexibility. CFS is usually located near ports, airports or railway hubs, but operates independently of ports.

What are the types of container freight stations?

Port container freight station

Located near the port, it handles the entry and exit of sea freight. Usually focuses on the consolidation and devanning of LCL goods.

Inland container terminal

Located inland, it handles cargo from or to inland areas. It can act as an intermediary for the subsequent transportation of cargo to the port.

Airport CFS

Some CFS facilities are located near airports to handle the consolidation of air cargo, often facilitating multimodal transport involving sea and air transport.

Specialized CFS

These facilities may specialize in handling certain types of cargo, such as perishable goods, electronic products or dangerous goods, which require special handling.

Benefits of using a CFS warehouse

Cost savings: CFS reduces transportation costs through LCL services. For customers with less than a full container load, CFS provides a more economical option, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises to enjoy the economy of sea transportation.

Efficiency improvement: CFS improves logistics efficiency and shortens the time of goods in transit through LCL and devanning operations, professional sorting and assembly services.

Risk management: The cargo inspection and customs declaration services provided by CFS help reduce trade risks and ensure that goods meet import and export standards.

Information transparency: As a key node in the logistics chain, CFS can provide real-time cargo transportation status information and enhance the visibility of the supply chain.

High flexibility: CFS can handle cargo of various sizes and types to meet different transportation needs.

Reduce port congestion: CFS moves some operations out of the port to ease port congestion.

What is the difference between LCL and CFS?

LCL (Less than Container Load) refers to cargo that is less than a full container load. CFS plays a key role in handling LCL cargo. When the shipper's cargo volume is not enough to fill a full container, CFS will combine these goods with other shippers' goods in the same container to form LCL cargo. Therefore, LCL is an application scenario of CFS services, and CFS is an important infrastructure for realizing LCL transportation.

What is the difference between cfs and inland container depot?

Inland container depots (ICDs) overlap with CFS in terms of functions, but have different focuses. ICDs are mainly located in inland areas, far away from ports, and are responsible for the transshipment, storage and management of containers. Compared with CFS, ICD focuses more on the physical transshipment and storage of containers, and does not involve value-added services such as sorting and assembly of goods. However, in some cases, ICD can also provide services similar to CFS, such as LCL, cargo inspection and customs declaration. ICD focuses more on the connection of inland logistics, while CFS focuses on LCL operations near ports. Therefore, ICD and CFS each play different roles in the logistics chain and jointly support the smooth progress of international trade.

How to choose the right logistics facility for you?

Whether to choose CFS or CY depends on your cargo type and transportation needs: If you mainly deal with less than container load (LCL), CFS is an ideal choice. If your cargo is full container load (FCL), CY or ICD may be more suitable.

Chinadivision's international fulfillment service provider's solution

As a professional international fulfillment service provider, Chinadivision is well aware of the logistics challenges faced by B2B companies and e-commerce sellers in international trade, and can provide you with customized logistics solutions to help you optimize supply chain management. Our services include:

Professional logistics planning: Choose the most suitable logistics facility for you according to your cargo type and transportation needs.

Customs clearance and compliance support: We provide professional customs clearance services to ensure that goods pass through customs smoothly.

Multimodal transport support: We support multiple modes of transportation such as sea, air, and rail to ensure efficient flow of goods.

Real-time tracking and management: Through advanced logistics management systems, real-time tracking of cargo status ensures transparency of the transportation process.

Through the introduction of this article, I believe you have a clearer understanding of the difference between CFS and CY, the role of sea freight CFS, the types of container freight stations, the benefits of using CFS warehouses, and the difference between LCL and CFS, CFS and ICD. In the journey of international trade, choosing a professional international fulfillment service provider is the key to ensure smooth logistics, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness. Chinadivision International Fulfillment Service Provider looks forward to working with you to create brilliance together!

If you have any questions or need to know more about our services, please feel free to contact Chinadivision International Fulfillment Service Provider. We will wholeheartedly answer your questions and provide customized logistics solutions.