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For large or long-distance moves, sometimes it makes the most sense to simply get a shipping container to hold your belongings. These large metal rectangles can be commonly seen on cargo ships or freight trains, and are used to move items across the country or even overseas. If you’ve ever wondered about the cost to move a shipping container, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve got the information you need to start building your moving budget if you think a shipping container might be the right avenue for your next move.
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What Is a Shipping Container?
A shipping container is a convenient way to move lots of items at one time, whether you’re moving them from one home or business to another, or into short- or long-term storage. Shipping containers come in several different sizes, from small five-by-five foot cubes to freight containers that are more than 40 feet long. They’re most often made of corrugated steel for safe transport in just about any weather conditions.
Average Cost to Move a Shipping Container
Moving isn’t cheap, and that holds true when it comes to the cost to move a shipping container. According to Angi, the average cost in the U.S. is $3,000, but this can vary by many thousands of dollars based on factors like:
- How much stuff you’re moving
- How far you’re moving
- Whether you’re moving domestically or internationally
- The weight of your items
Cost to Move a Shipping Container Across Your Property
It may sound like a small feat to move a shipping container from one place to another on your property. But given how heavy they are, this is a job you’ll pay for just like you would if you were having the container moved somewhere else entirely. Even for the shortest move, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1,000 to move a large (20-foot or larger) shipping container. If your shipping container is located in an inconvenient spot on your property, you may be able to avoid paying a high price to move it by instead using a small car or ATV to move items from your home to the shipping container. Or, you could even rent a small UHaul van or truck for the day to transport items to your container.
Smaller shipping containers, like the ones provided by PODS, may be considerably cheaper to move.
Cost to Move It Across the City
It’s estimated that the shipping container moving cost for a short-distance move (such as a move within the same city) will cost about $5 per mile, according to an average of figures from several shipping container websites. While you should check with your moving company to find out exactly what this price includes, it often covers things like labor and gas. If you’ve rented a shipping container from a company like PODS, you’ll schedule the date you’d like them to come pick it up, and they’ll take care of the entire process.
Cost to Move a Shipping Container Across the Country (Or From State to State)
For moves with higher mileage, the per-mile rate actually drops. But you’ll have to consider that your move may take more than one day to complete, which can drive up the price. A move of just over 2,000 miles using a 16-foot POD container that included one month’s rent on the container cost roughly $3,239, according to ContainerAddict.com.
Cost to Move a Shipping Container Internationally
One of the most expensive endeavors when it comes to moving is to ship a container overseas, since doing so can get quite complicated. Often, it’ll take more than one type of transportation to get your belongings from one country to another, and it’ll have to join many other shipping containers on a container ship.
While it’s impossible to estimate how much to move a shipping container from one country to another, certain factors play a role in the expense:
- How the container gets to the shipping port (truck or train)
- How far the shipping port is from your location
- The cost for transport
- The cost to unload your shipping container
- The cost to get from the shipping port to your new location
- Customs duties and fees
- Inspection costs, if applicable
If you’re planning an overseas move, it’s always wise to shop around first and get a few price quotes; once you’ve found an international moving company that you like, discuss exact pricing with them so you know what you’ll be faced with when it comes time to move your belongings.
Factors That Affect the Cost to Move a Shipping Container
No two moves are exactly alike, which is why it can be difficult to determine exactly what your shipping container moving costs will be. But there are several factors that can make a difference. We’ll discuss a few below.
How Much Stuff You’re Moving
It’s significantly cheaper to move if your belongings fit in a studio or a one-bedroom apartment versus a large, five-bedroom home. Below is a chart to give you a rough estimate of what you might pay to move a shipping container based on the amount of items you’re trying to move.
How Far You’re Moving
Although you may pay more per mile to move a shipping container a short distance, in general, these moves are cheaper than long-distance moves. Let’s take a look at a price comparison based on the number of miles you’re moving. Below, we’ve put together a table to give you an idea of the shipping container moving costs for different mileage.
Whether You’re Moving Domestically or Internationally
International moves are more expensive than domestic moves for several reasons: There are various modes of transportation to consider, there are customs fees to pay and insurance fees as well.
The Weight of Your Items
Along with distance, the total weight of the items you’ll have shipped also factors into the price you’ll pay. Before your move, it’s a good idea to purge any unwanted or unused items, and ensure you’re only shipping the essentials.
Insurance
Though it might be tempting, never skip the insurance when you’re moving items on a shipping container. It’ll be more than worth it if something goes wrong, and can give you peace of mind during the move.
Moving Companies By State
Storing Your Items
If you’ll need items placed in storage, or held on your shipping container longer than usual, you’ll pay an extra price for this. The price varies based on the shipping company you choose, so be sure to discuss this before you sign the contract.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does it cost to ship a 40-foot container?
The price quoted by International Van Lines for a 40-foot shipping container is between $1,500 and $7,000. This wide price range reflects factors like distance, volume and timeframe.
Can you move a shipping container with a forklift?
While it is possible to move a shipping container with a forklift, it isn’t recommended as a safe method of moving. That’s because the forklift can’t get an evenly balanced handle on a large shipping container and can thus cause damage to both the forklift and the container, as well as run the risk of dropping the container.
Can you move a shipping container with a pickup truck?
Technically yes, as long as the shipping container’s weight is less than the truck’s payload capacity. However, you’ll need special equipment, as the shipping container is a rectangular box with no way to hitch it to the pickup truck.
How do you move a 40-foot shipping container?
Forty-foot shipping containers are among the largest out there; you’ll often see them on cargo ships in the ocean. To transport one of the behemoths on land, a flatbed truck or tractor trailer is often the best option.
References
- ContainerAddict.com
- Move.org
- Modugo.com
- ANGI.com
