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Container Shipping International Moves
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Moving Overseas Container Shipping Costs
Container Freight Rates, Types and Advice
Save time and money by looking for the most affordable container shipping rates to send your belongings abroad. We cover freight rates, container sizes, shipping methods, and more.
What can you find here?
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Container Overseas
Container freight rates for moves from Singapore can 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.
Shipping Container Rates from Singapore to Another Country
Find out the average prices to ship a container from Singapore to these popular destinations:
| 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 |
Disclaimer: These prices are based on industry estimates of July 2024
How Much Does Air Shipping Cost?
For international moves, shipping your belongings by air can cost anywhere from S$1,000 to S$10,000, depending on factors like distance, weight, and airline fees.
Get Container Shipping Quotes Online for Moving Overseas
Fill in our form below and receive up to 5 accurate quotes from different movers to choose and make the best decision for yourself.
FCL vs. LCL for Shipping Your Furniture: Costs
To find cheap container shipping options from Singapore, you can choose between a Full Container Load (FCL) or Less Than Container Load (LCL).
- FCL (Full Container Load): Rent an entire shipping container for your items. It’s ideal for larger moves, fast and secure. It will go directly to your destination without interfering with other routes.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): Share a container space for smaller moves. This option is more cost-effective, however, keep in mind that it may take longer since it can have more than one stop on its way.
Container Shipping Costs for FCL and LCL
Hiring a Full Container Load (FCL) service will cost higher since you have a full container for yourself. The container freight rates increase due to the weight and volume of the shipment.
How to Ship Overseas Cheap from Singapore?
As said, 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 Costs by Sizes and Types
The total cost of shipping a container filled with furniture abroad depends on several factors, including freight rates, destination, and the size of the container you choose. Generally, a smaller container (20ft) can be less expensive than a larger one (40ft).
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.
If you’re moving to another country and shipping your belongings, the cost can vary depending on the type and size of the items. Shipping furniture 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.
Calculate The Volume of Your Furniture
The best way to estimate the shipping container costs is by measuring the volume of your move and requesting quotes from various companies. You’ll receive the best offer for your container costs moving overseas. Use our calculator below!
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.
If you’re looking for shipping furniture overseas cheap options, consider these cost-saving tips:
- Compare and request multiple quotes from international moving companies to find the best deal.
- Opt for sea freight instead of air freight to significantly cut shipping costs.
- Declutter and pack smartly to minimize the volume and weight of your move.
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?
Several factors influence the cost of moving beyond just container size. Here are the key ones:
- Time of Year: Moving in winter is generally cheaper than in summer when demand and prices peak.
- Distance: Longer moves cost more due to increased fuel, time, and effort.
- Shipping Method (Air, Sea, or Land): Sea freight is the most affordable but slowest, while air freight is faster but pricier. Land freight is an option for non-overseas moves.
- Departure & Arrival Ports: Popular ports with high shipping traffic have lower costs, while less-used ports are more expensive.
- Delivery Type (Port-to-Port vs. Door-to-Door): Door-to-door services are pricier as movers handle everything, whereas port-to-port requires you to manage pickup and delivery.
Other Costs Related to Moving
Moving abroad comes with additional expenses beyond shipping. Here are the most common ones:
- Storage – If your move isn’t temporary, renting a storage unit adds a monthly cost.
- Customs & Taxes – Research your destination’s customs fees and tax regulations to avoid unexpected charges.
- Insurance – Protect your belongings with insurance to cover potential damage during transit.
- Packing – If packing isn’t included in your moving service, budget for boxes, padding, and protective materials.
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!
