How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Moving Container? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to ship a moving container is $3,000. Most homeowners spend between $2,000 and $5,000, with distance traveled and container size being the biggest factors in determining your total. Budget for extras like customs duties and port fees from $150 to $500 if you're planning an international move.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Moving Container: Domestically vs. Internationally

The following table shows the differences in cost for domestic and international shipping:

There are many variables to consider when 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.

Domestically

For a domestic move, you can expect to pay between $1.00 and $4.00 per mile, depending on the container size you select. Providers like PODS, U-Pack, U-Box, and 1-800-PACK-RAT each offer their own container dimensions, with standard sizes ranging from 7 to 27 feet.

Internationally

Most international moves rely on 20- and 40-foot containers, and pricing varies considerably by route, with an average of $4,150. To illustrate how destination affects cost, the figures below show average shipping rates from Shanghai, China, to major U.S. cities.

Shipping Cost by Mile: Domestic Rate Breakdown

Breaking domestic shipping costs down by distance, you'll spend an average of $2.50 per mile overall, though shorter moves carry a higher per-mile rate even as their total cost stays lower. Costs vary significantly depending on the mileage involved, as the table below shows:

Moving Container Costs by Home Size: What to Expect for Larger Homes

When shipping an entire household, moving container companies size your quote by the number of bedrooms you're moving, with costs between $2,000 and $5,000.

The costs in the table below reflect moves between 100 and 2,050 miles and shows average shipping costs by home size so you can plan your budget accordingly:

Moving Container Costs by Size: Which Container Fits Your Budget?

The size of the container you choose and whether you're shipping domestically or internationally are the two primary factors that determine your total cost. The breakdown below shows different costs by container size:

Domestically

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

• 10 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.

Internationally

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

Moving Container Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?

Beyond distance and container size, heavier loads, peak moving seasons, and optional add-on services can all push the cost of shipping a moving container higher.

Weight

Most moving container companies enforce weight limits, and exceeding them triggers extra fees, with heavy items like furniture and appliances being the most common culprits. Checking the weight limit before you pack and offloading items you no longer need is the most straightforward way to avoid those charges.

Moving Dates

Container shipping prices are driven by supply and demand and can shift dramatically over time, as illustrated by the Freightos Baltic Index, which tracked the global weighted average cost for a 40-foot container at about $9,700 in March 2022 and under $3,400 by February 2024.

Moving during peak periods, particularly summer or around holidays, will cost more, while booking during the off-season or mid-month can help you secure a better rate. Weekends also tend to run pricier than weekdays, so a mid-week move is worth considering if your schedule allows.

Location Accessibility

Difficult-to-access locations, such as narrow streets or remote areas, can result in higher delivery fees, and less common shipping routes may also add to your total cost.

Packing and Loading

Hiring someone to help with packing and loading is a significant time-saver, though it will add to your overall cost. Some companies also offer partial packing services, where pros handle only furniture or fragile items while you manage the rest, which can reduce labor costs compared to full-service packing.

Customs Duties and Port Fees

If fees do apply, expect to pay 5% to 25% of your belongings' declared value, plus administrative costs typically ranging from $50 to $500. Hiring a customs broker to manage the process costs between $500 and $2,500, but can help you avoid unexpected charges by ensuring all regulations are handled correctly.

Customs duties and port fees can reach several thousand dollars depending on your destination, though many countries waive duty fees when you provide proper documentation proving the items are personal belongings.

Why You Should Hire a Moving Pro

Most of the process of shipping a container is handled by moving pros because shipping falls under national and international laws. By hiring a moving company near you, you’ll save time and reduce the risk of damaging your items. Plus, the pros can take a lot of stress out of a big move.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a moving pro

Moving is a stressful process, but having pro movers help can alleviate stress. Here are several benefits to leaving this job to the pros:

• Movers have the best understanding of how much can fit into shipping containers, so they’ll know exactly what size you need.

• The pros can quickly pack and unpack your items.

• Pros have the skills and experience to pack items securely, so there’s less risk of damage.

• Moving companies carry insurance to cover any accidents, like lost or damaged items.

• If you hire pros for packing, they’ll bring all of the boxes, packing paper, and bubble wrap necessary for the job at hand.

• Moving heavy items is difficult, even with a few friends to help. Pros know how to move heavy and awkwardly shaped items safely so that you can avoid injuries.

• Leaving packing to the pros gives you more time to focus on paperwork and other moving logistics, ultimately saving you some stress.

If you want to DIY shipping a container

When it comes to moving by shipping a container, most of the work has to be handled by pros. However, there are a few tasks you can take on yourself:

• Pack items in boxes yourself rather than leaving it to the movers.

• Unpack the items upon arrival.

• Dispose of or donate unwanted items before movers arrive.

How You Can Save Money When Shipping a Moving Container

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.

Top Shipping Container Moving Companies

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.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.