The average cost to ship a moving container ranges from $2,000 to $5,000, with a national average of $3,000. Expect to pay more for heavier items and long-distance moves.
The average cost to ship a moving container is $3,000, but it ranges from $2,000 to $5,000. Moving containers (also known as portable storage containers) can be an affordable option to transport your belongings from point A to point B. To get started, check out multiple moving companies in your area and see if they offer portable containers. Then, use this handy cost guide to help budget for shipping moving containers.
| Average Cost to Ship a Moving Container Domestically | Average Cost to Ship a Moving Container Internationally |
|---|---|
| $3,000 | $4,150 |
There are many variables to consider when considering shipping a moving container, including whether you’re making an international move or a domestic long-distance move. The weight of your cargo also affects your pricing, so you should only pack the essentials. Of course, the specific details of your move will ultimately determine the price, but these are average figures to reference.
The average cost of shipping a moving container in the U.S. is $3,000, but your costs could vary depending on your household size and whether it's a local move or out of state. For reference, it costs about $2,000 to ship the contents of a small one-bedroom house or apartment.
The costs of shipping a moving container overseas range widely, starting at about $1,400 and rising to $9,100. The price varies a lot based on what country you’re shipping to. From the United States, t’s cheaper to ship to the United Kingdom than to China, for example.
If you break the costs down into domestic miles, you'll likely spend $2.50 per mile on average. Shorter moves are usually less expensive but have a higher per mile average. Here’s a breakdown of common shipping distances and their average costs per mile.
| Mileage | Cost Per Mile |
|---|---|
| 100 miles | $16.50 |
| 475 miles | $5.60 |
| 1,025 miles | $3.10 |
| 1,750 miles | $1.60 |
| 1,850 miles | $2.10 |
| 2,050 miles | $1.70 |
If you need to move an entire house, the moving container company will ask how many bedrooms worth of items you have to ship. These are the average costs for a container moving between 100 and 2,050 miles.
| Home Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| One bedroom | $2,000 |
| Two bedrooms | $2,600 |
| Three bedrooms | $3,200 |
| Four bedrooms | $3,900 |
| Five bedrooms | $5,000 |
Your costs will reflect the size of the container you choose and whether or not you ship a container across the country or the ocean.
You can expect to pay between $1.00 and $4.00 per mile for a domestic move that uses a typical moving container. Container companies like POD, U-Pack, U-Box, and 1-800-PACK-RAT have their own sizes. Standard container sizes include:
7 foot
12 foot
16 foot
20 foot
27 foot
Keep in mind that a 20-foot container has roughly 25 to 28 cubic meters of space, and it holds the boxed contents of a three-bedroom house.
Although there are many container sizes, most people use 20- and 40-foot containers for an international move.
To get an idea of popular international routes and pricing, take a look at the average costs for service from Shanghai, China, to multiple cities in the U.S.
Shipping to New York City:
20-foot: $7,000
40-foot: $9,000
Shipping to Los Angeles:
20-foot: $6,000
40-foot: $8,000
Heavier loads, busy moving times, and add-on services are a few other factors that impact the cost of shipping a moving container.
Most moving container companies set weight limits, and if your load exceeds that, you could face extra fees. Heavier items like furniture and appliances can quickly add up.
Check the weight limit in advance and consider lightening up your load before the move if you think your stuff goes over the limit.
As with any shipping costs, the cost of shipping a container is largely affected by supply and demand and fluctuates over time. For example, according to the Freightos Baltic Index, the global weighted average cost for shipping a 40-foot container was about $9,700 in March of 2022. For the same size container in February 2024, the average cost was under $3,400.
Moving during the busiest times—particularly summer or around holidays—will cost more. If you have some flexibility in your moving dates, you might want to book during the off-season or mid-month to save money. Weekends are usually pricier as well, so opting for a mid-week move could get you a better rate.
If the location you’re moving to or from is difficult to access—like a narrow street or remote spot—delivery fees may be higher. Less common routes can also increase the total price.
You may want to pay for add-on services like someone to help with packing and loading, which can be a huge time-saver but will add to the total cost. If you want to let the pros take over, budget extra for the added convenience. Some services also offer partial packing, where they help with tricky items like furniture or fragile belongings, allowing you to handle the rest and save a bit on labor costs.
Here are a few suggestions to help you save money on moving container costs. Don’t be shy—ask the container company you’re working with for additional ideas.
Discard Unused Items: The number one piece of advice for saving money on moving is to purge as much as possible before your move to maximize space in your container. You don’t want to pay to transport items you don't love or use.
Ship Your Container During the Off-Season: There are prime moving seasons in the U.S and abroad, typically during the summer months. You’ll likely pay more for high-season moving because fewer containers are available, especially internationally. If you have the option to move during the off-season, there may be room for negotiation with your shipping container company.
Book a Less-Than-Container Load (LCL): If there’s a chance your items won’t fill an entire container, you might pay less for international shipping because you’ll share the container with other customers. Not all companies offer this service, and a LCL might not benefit you if full-container load (FCL) costs are similar. There’s more risk involved with an LCL because multiple employees handle your shipment to accommodate other customers’ deliveries.
Pack Items Yourself: Many moving companies offer additional services to help you pack and load belongings. You can save on some of the cost by packing up your items yourself or only pay for the company to pack and load fragile items while you handle the rest.
Ready to shop around for the right shipping container moving company? Check out these top-rated companies, and be sure to request price quotes from at least three before making a final decision.
PODS
UHaul
UPack
Zippy Shell
1-800-PACK-RAT
You can also find local moving companies through Angi, who can offer a quote and help with every step of the move.
Yes, you need shipping insurance. Don’t hesitate; it’s worth the cost. There’s always a chance for accidents and errors when transporting household goods, so it's good to be prepared for various circumstances, including bad weather, loss, and disabled ships at sea. Some providers include insurance in their rental prices while others add it separately. It’s also a smart idea to check in with your renters or homeowners insurance provider and ask about coverage included in your policy.
When you submit your payment depends on the company’s policy and if you use the container for storage before and after the move. Some companies require a deposit, and others collect the fees on the day the container arrives at your home.
Of course, the paperwork involved with your shipment depends on whether you need an international or domestic shipment. In general, you’ll need a Bill of Lading and a packing list. Talk with your provider about the specifics of your move.
You should ask your container company about fees attached to shipping, especially internationally. There’s a good chance you’ll pay for one or some of these fees:
Customs duties
Container inspection
Inland delivery
Quarantine fee
