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Moving Overseas Container Shipping Costs 2025

Complete Guide for Moving Overseas From Australia

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Find out container shipping prices depending on the size of your move and detailed information on other costs such as moving furniture, vehicles, or pets abroad.

International Sea Freight Container Shipping Costs From Australia

The average cost to send a shipping container overseas can range from $1,800 to $23,500.

International moving container costs are based on the distance, volume of your belongings, and additional services you may hire.

Read on the average international moving costs and its main price factors.

20 ft Container International Shipping Rates

Ocean freight rates for a 20’ container can fluctuate between $1,865 and $13,080.

Below are the ocean freight rates for a 20’ container divided by popular destinations:

Destination 20 ft Container
Canada$11,280 – $13,080
France$9,260 – $10,480
Ireland$5,205 – $6,215
New Zealand$1,865 – $2,095
Singapore$2,220 – $2,875
UK$8,185 – $9,195
USA$8,730 – $11,475

*Disclaimer: These prices are mere estimates for shipping from the port of Sydney, and can change based on volume, seasonality and distance

20ft Shipping Container Free Quotes
Read on 20ft and 40ft container shipping costs for your move overseas.

40-foot Container International Shipping Rates

Shipping a 40-foot container for an international move typically costs between $3,435 and $23,505.

Below are the ocean freight rates for a 40’ container divided by popular destinations:

Destination 40-foot Container
Canada$20,865 – $23,505
France$17,160 – $19,080
Ireland$9,945 – $11,030
New Zealand$3,435 – $4,100
Singapore$4,040 – $4,585
UK$15,675 – $17,495
USA$16,405 – $19,435

*Disclaimer: These prices are mere estimates for shipping from the port of Sydney, and can change based on volume, seasonality and distance

40ft Shipping Container Free Quotes
Find all the costs and options to ship your belongings.

Looking for a small shipping container? You can also hire 10-foot shipping containers. Their price is cheaper, ranging from $4,300 and $5,000.

Container Shipping Costs Calculator for Overseas Moves

Estimate your international container shipping costs with our easy to use form, and get accurate estimates for your moving quotes.

Shipping costs from to
20ft Container
40ft Container

Shipping Container Overseas Quote

The best way to compare costs to ship a container internationally from Australia is to request quotes from removalists. Click below and up to 5 free quotes tailored to your needs.

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Select the size of your household to receive free quotes for your move!

Shipping Furniture, Vehicles and Pets Overseas

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How Much Does It Cost to Ship Furniture Overseas?

Expect to pay between $2,000 and $15,000 to send a shipping container with furniture overseas.

The cost of shipping household goods overseas, so the cost to ship a container overseas, will stay at the low end if you’re moving small furniture such as chairs, lamps, or tables. Shipping larger furniture like beds or couches, or even more fragile items like pianos, can significantly increase the cost, as a bigger container may be needed.

How to Ship Furniture Overseas Cheaply?

Opt for consolidated shipping, where you will be paying for the space you’ll use. This is an affordable alternative when hiring a shipping container, and most removalists will offer this service.

Shipping Pets Overseas Cost

The cost to ship a dog or cat overseas can vary from $1,500 to $5,000, according to the pet’s size and weight.

How to Ship Pets Overseas?

Be aware that every country has different regulations on pet importation. However, there are a few things most of them require:

  • Have a pet passport
  • They must be microchipped
  • Go through a health check (blood tests, vaccinations, etc.)
  • Have a health certificate
  • Be vaccinated against rabies

Cost to Ship a Vehicle Overseas

The average cost to ship a vehicle overseas can go from $500 to $7,500.
Vehicle TypeAverage Cost
Car$1,000 – $7,500
Bike$500 – $2,000
Motorcycle$500 – $2,000

Disclaimer: The prices above are estimates which can change according to factors such as seasonality, distance and size.

Container Sizes for Shipping Overseas

The size of the container is one of the main factors that will affect your final price. Let’s look at the different container dimensions that exist:

Dimensions of 20ft Shipping Container

  • Size: 1m x 2.4m x 2.6m
  • Total volume: 33.0 m³
  • Total shipping load: 24,850 kg

How many cbm is a 20ft container? It holds around 33 cubic metres, which is about a three-bedroom household.

Container Shipping Cost

40 ft Shipping Container Dimensions

  • Size: 12.2m x 2.4m x 2.6m
  • Total volume: 76.0 m³
  • Total shipping load: 30,200 kg

How many cbm is a 40ft container? It fits almost twice the volume of belongings and holds a volume of 76 cubic metres. If you want to transport a house with four or more bedrooms and perhaps a car, then a 40ft container will be a better value for you.

Container Shipping Cost

Factors Affecting International Container Shipping Rates

Several factors influence international container shipping costs. Below, we highlight and explain the five main influences so you can get the best container shipping costs for your move:

  • Volume – The more belongings you bring, the higher the costs will be. Use our volume calculator to get accurate estimates.
  • Distance – Even though there’s not much to do, it’s still worth bearing in mind that distance will impact the cost.
  • Destination Port – Competition and frequency will drive the costs down. Beware you may expect some custom duties and taxes.
  • Time of the year – Summer is the peak season, so shipping in winter may be cheaper.
  • Method of transport – By air is the fastest option, however, the price will be higher. Shipping by sea is the cheapest and most common way if you’re not in a hurry.
  • Loading and Delivery – Drop and fill, door-to-door, and port-to-port are the main options. Choose the latter as a cost-effective option.

Prepare Your Overseas Move

We hope that now you’re well-versed in the costs of shipping a container overseas. In case you’re still in need of some advice, we recommend reading the articles and the FAQs section below.

Find the top moving companies and request free quotes.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to ship a container overseas?

How much does it cost to move a car overseas?

How much does it cost to move a dog overseas?

How much does it cost to move furniture overseas?

How do I calculate the cost of shipping goods overseas?

How much is a 20-foot container shipping cost from Australia to India?

What’s the cost of shipping a container from Australia to New Zealand?

How much does it cost to transport a shipping container?