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Moving Overseas Container Costs Singapore 2024
A Guide to Container Costs
The container costs of moving overseas can be difficult to grasp. This article covers everything you need to know about the costs, dimensions, shipping methods, etc. By the end of this article, you will be informed enough to make the right decision and request a quote.
What can you find here?
How Much Does it Cost to Move to Another Country?
The average prices for international moves from Singapore range from S$3,800 to S$19,500.
How much does it cost to ship a container overseas? We have gathered average prices of moving a 20ft or 40ft container to the most popular destinations below:
Container Costs of Shipping Overseas 2024
| Destination | 20ft container (SGD) | 40ft container (SGD) |
| Canada | S$15,500 | S$18,970 |
| US | S$3,800 | S$6,000 |
| Europe | S$9,600 | S$14,350 |
| UAE | S$14,100 | S$19,500 |
| Australia | S$9,900 | S$14,500 |
| UK | S$6,100 | S$7,900 |
* These prices are based on industry estimates of July 2024
How to Estimate Cost of Shipping?
The best way to estimate the shipping container costs is by measuring the volume of your move and requesting 3 to 4 quotes from various companies. This way you will receive the best offer for your container costs moving overseas.
Container shipping costs (FCL vs LCL)
When choosing a shipping service, you can choose between a Full Container Load (FCL) or Less Than Container Load (LCL). The full container load shipping cost is higher since you will have a full container for yourself. The container freight rates increase due to the weight and volume of the shipment.
How to ship overseas cheaply?
Less Than Container Load (LCL) shipping is a more affordable option when moving with a smaller volume. This way you share part of your container with others traveling to a nearby destination.
You will only pay for what you use which can reduce your costs up to 25-33%.
Container Shipping Quote for Moving Overseas
Fill in the Sirelo quote form to get the most accurate container costs for shipping overseas. After, you can receive up to 5 quotes to choose from and make the best decision for yourself.
Cost per Dimension
Cost of 20ft Shipping Container
20-foot shipping container costs range from S$3,800 to S$15,500.
Cost of 40ft Shipping Container
40-foot shipping container costs range from S$6,000 to S$19,500.
Container Sizes
- 20-foot Container: You can fit the contents of a smaller house up to 3 bedrooms in a 20ft container. The total available volume is around 33.0 m³
Size: 6.1m x 2.4m x 2.6m
Total volume: 33.0 m³ (1,179 ft3)
Total shipping load: 24,850 kg (54,783 lbs)
- 40-foot Container: It’s a better option for larger volumes and transporting cars. The 40ft container can hold up to 76.0 m³ of items.
Size: 12.2m x 2.4m x 2.6m
Total volume: 76.0 m³ (2,714 ft3)
Total shipping load: 30,200 kg (66,577 lbs)
Cost of Air freight vs. Sea Freight
The cost of air freight vs. sea freight always depends on the destination. In general sea freight is much cheaper. Ultimately, freight prices are measured based on the weight of the cargo, which means the heavier the load, the more expensive it’ll be.
Air Freight
Fast (2-4 days)
More expensive
Good for time-sensitive/perishable goods
More secure
Less environmentally friendly
Better for small and delicate items
Ocean freight
Slower (weeks/months)
Less expensive
Suitable for non-perishable goods
Less secure
More environmentally friendly
Better for large volume
Cost of Shipping Household Goods Overseas
The average cost of shipping household goods overseas ranges from S$500 to S$16,000.
The cost of shipping furniture overseas such as chairs, tables, and lamps will be more affordable. On the other hand, prices can increase quickly with larger items such as a bed and more fragile and complex items such as large pianos.
How Much Does it Cost to Move a Piano?
The average cost of moving a piano overseas ranges from S$500 to S$5,000.
The prices vary depending on the size and type of the piano, and the destination. When shipping a piano it’s good to consider the international ivory ban. Generally, if your piano keys are made of ivory, it’s better to remove them to avoid issues with customs.
We have gathered the estimated prices for shipping a piano.
| Destination | Upright piano | Grand piano |
| Asia | S$500 – S$1,000 | S$1,000 – S$2,500 |
| Europe | S$1,500 – S$3,000 | S$3,000 – S$7,000 |
| North America | S$1,500 – S$3,000 | S$3,000 – S$7,000 |
| Australia/ New Zealand | S$1,200 – S$2,500 | S$2,500 – S$5,000 |
How Much Does Shipping Furniture Overseas Cost?
The cost to ship furniture overseas ranges from S$2,000 to S$16,000 depending on the country of destination and the weight of the shipment.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship Fragile Items? Shipping fragile items is mostly priced the same as furniture. Naturally, there are exceptions for larger more delicate items that need special transportation. However, the main difference is in the packing. Fragile items should be packed in triple-walled boxes and labelled as fragile.
How much does it cost to ship a boat overseas?
Shipping a boat overseas can cost anywhere between S$6,750 to S$67,500.
Prices change based on the size and weight of the boat. Shipping a boat can be done by container shipping, Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo), or Lift-on/Lift-off (LoLo).
| Size of the boat | Prices |
| Small boat (up to 20ft) | S$6,750 – S$13,500 |
| Medium boat (20-40ft) | S$13,500 – S$27,000 |
| Large boat (over 40ft) | S$27,000 – S$67,500 |
Cost to Ship a Car Overseas
The costs of shipping a car range between S$540 to S$6700.
The costs change based on the season, shipping method, distance, vehicle type, and customs costs. Cars can be shipped in containers or with the Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) method. The RoRo method is cheaper but at the same time less secure, since the vehicle is driven onto the shipping vessel, instead of being inside a container.
What factors affect moving costs?
Many things besides the size of your container affect the costs of moving. Here are some of the main factors:
- Time of year
One of the factors affecting the shipping container costs for moving is the time of the year. In general, moving during winter is cheaper than in the summer. Summer is the peak season for moving during which competition is high and prices tend to rise.
- Distance
The distance of your move will affect the moving costs. Longer distances require more fuel, time, and effort to bring your belongings from A to B. Naturally, this increases the costs of delivery most of the time.
- Air vs. sea vs. land
Overseas moves tend to happen by air or sea freight. Land freight is also an option if your move is not overseas. Traditionally, shipping by sea takes longer than shipping by air or land but is considerably cheaper. Depending on your needs you should consider which option suits you best
- Departure and arrival port
The shipping container costs are affected by the frequency, competition, and popularity of ports. This means, that the shipping volume to and from the ports you have chosen to ship to will impact the price. If a port has a lot of traffic the price tends to be lower, since more containers will be going there, whereas low-traffic ports have higher prices.
- Loading and delivery (port-to-port or door-to-door)
Door-to-door services are generally more expensive than port-to-port since the removal company handles everything from getting the items from your house to your destination. In the latter, you transport your items and package them at the port of origin and destination.
Other Costs Related to Moving
When moving abroad there can be additional costs to consider on top of your moving costs. Here are the most common ones to keep in mind.
- Storage – Storing your items or furniture in a storage unit is a good solution if your overseas move isn’t temporary. This adds a monthly cost to your move that you should consider before deciding.
- Customs and taxes – Check the customs and taxes in your destination country so there are no surprises upon arrival. Some items might be taxed higher or have specific customs limits on the amount or allowance.
- Insurance – Make sure that there is proper insurance in place for all the goods that you are shipping. This way you are protected if anything gets damaged during the transport and you won’t lose money.
- Packing – Some removal companies offer packing as part of their services. If this is not included, you should buy boxes, stuffing, and protective materials such as cellophane and bubble wrap.
Get Your Container Shipping Quote Now!
Now you have a good overview of the main container shipping costs and what to consider. Request your quotes now and start planning your move overseas!
