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It is hard to know the container shipping costs in the UK, their sizes, or which freight service you need. By the end of this article, you’ll be an expert on the matter. We have also gathered information on moving cars, factors affecting costs, and any additional costs you need to consider.
| Destination | 20 ft Shipping Container Price (Sea Freight) |
| USA | £4,660 – £5,750 |
| Canada | £4,975 – £8,390 |
| Australia | £7,770 – £15,695 |
| New Zealand | £3,110 – £4,660 |
| South Africa | £3.110 – £4,660 |
| Japan | £2,795 – £4,660 |
| Dubai | £1,865- £2,100 |
*Disclaimer: The above figures for sea freight container shipping rates are estimates. The actual price will vary depending on the port of departure, port of arrival, availability of containers, and services.
| Destination | 40 ft Shipping Container Price (Sea Freight) |
| USA | £5,905 – £8,545 |
| Canada | £7,770 – £8,855 |
| Australia | £15,230 – £24,865 |
| New Zealand | £11,655 – £15,540 |
| South Africa | £11,655 – £15,540 |
| Japan | £3,230 – £3,575 |
| Dubai | £2,795 – £3,110 |
*Disclaimer: The above figures for sea freight container shipping rates are estimates. The actual price will vary depending on the port of departure, port of arrival, availability of containers, and services.
The best way to estimate the shipping container costs for moving from the UK overseas is by knowing the volume of your move. The costs fluctuate based on many factors but are mainly determined by the volume of the goods you are shipping. Use our volume calculator to know what size container you need.
Fill in our container shipping cost calculator to get an accurate estimate of your costs based on the route of your shipment.
Understanding how your container shipping rates for moving are calculated is the first step to cutting costs and feeling more in control of your move. Below you see what factors affect the container shipping moving costs.
Requesting removal quotes from different container shipping companies can be key to finding the best deal. Fill in our form to receive up to 5 free quotes and compare services, reviews, and prices
A more uncommon size of a container is a 10ft shipping container. Not all movers offer small containers like this, but the small 10ft container is more cost effective than large containers for individuals shipping less items.
Size: 3.0m x 2.4m x 2.6m
Total volume: 15,9 m³ (1,179 ft3)
Total shipping load: 7,500 kg
The inside of a 20-foot shipping container easily fits the contents of a small household. You can ship bikes and household goods such as closets, beds, fridges, tables, etc. The total volume that can fit inside is around 33.0 m³, and the maximum weight is 24,850 kg.
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)
A 40ft shipping container fits the contents of large households such as bigger family homes, and can even fit a car next to your goods. The total volume is 76.0 m³ and the maximum weight capacity is 30,200 kg.
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)
When considering your container shipping costs from the UK it’s important to decide between FCL and LCL. Container shipping companies offer Less Than Container Load (LCL) for those only transporting a small volume of things.
Below are the pros and cons for both:
Freight fees are a big part of international moving costs. Sending shipping containers overseas via air or sea freight will determine a large part of your moving costs. Generally, sea freight has lower freight fees, but air freight is much faster. Below you can find the differences between the options.
Read more about international moving costs that you should keep in mind when planning your move in our article:
The cost of shipping a car changes based on seasonality, shipping method (Roll-on roll-off, or container shipping), distance, vehicle type, and customs costs.
There are things to consider if you plan to ship a vehicle overseas. The checklist below will give you a rough understanding.
To read more about shipping a vehicle overseas read our detailed article about shipping a car below.
These costs can change depending on the amount of furniture shipped and the chosen shipping method.
Now that you have a good overview of shipping container cost, dimensions, other factors to consider, etc., we hope you feel ready for your international move. If you need more questions answered, check our FAQs and linked articles.
