A Container Freight Station (CFS) is a facility used in the shipping industry where cargo is consolidated or de-consolidated and prepared for shipment. It is a warehouse where goods belonging to various exporters or importers are grouped or de-grouped before being exported or after being imported. CFS is used with Less than Container Load (LCL) shipping where one shipment is not enough to fill a container. Once the shipment arrives at the facility, it is consolidated and packaged into a Full Container Load (FCL) shipment, which can then be transported to the next stage. CFS is used for both LCL and air shipments to fill containers entirely before being transported.

CFS is used for both exports and imports. In the case of LCL shipments, bills of lading issued will be the lines bill of lading and will have the term CFS/CFS mentioned on the bill. This means that the shipping line’s responsibility begins at the CFS at the port of load and ends at the CFS at the port of discharge. In the case of Groupage shipments, bills of lading issued will be the House Bill of Lading of the consolidator and will also have the term CFS/CFS mentioned. This means that the Groupage operator’s responsibility begins at the CFS at the port of load and ends at the CFS at the port of discharge.

CFS is beneficial for companies as it gives them flexibility by offering LCL and air shipments a convenient place to be consolidated and de-consolidated around the globe.