Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Jan, 06 2026
How Much Does It Cost Of Shipping A Container To Burundi?
The cost of moving a container overseas differs widely. Shipping overseas costs between $2,000 and $3,000, while smaller container loads are less expensive. The cost is affected by different factors, like destination and shipping services.
If you're moving items to Burundi, we got you covered. Three Movers offers shipping services to Burundi. How much will our services cost you? Let's find out!
How Much Does Shipping a Container Cost?
The cost of moving a full container to another country is determined by various factors, such as container size, destination, and shipment mode. We'll go through each factor in detail below to help you plan and budget your overseas shipping costs.
- The volume or weight of your items - In sea freight, the shipping cost will depend on the measurements of your cargo. On the other hand, the weight of your items is the main factor that will determine the cost of shipping your items in air cargo.
- Type of transport - The method of transportation will heavily affect the shipping cost. Air freight is typically faster and more expensive than sea freight. So if you're not delivering time-sensitive items, it's best to choose the ocean. Sea freight is often five times less expensive than air freight.
- Distance: The cost of moving your belongings across the Mediterranean will be less than the expense of sending them halfway around the world. Whether you ship from port to port or door to door will have an impact on how much you pay. A greater rate will apply if the shipping firm is responsible for moving your belongings from one doorstep to another. But despite this, we recommend door-to-door services to eliminate any hassles with logistics.
- The destination port: Customs tariffs and service fees are unavoidable during customs clearance, but they differ from each country. With that said, the final destination will decide the amount of taxes you must pay.
- Time of the year: International shipping, like any other industry, has peak seasons. Peak seasons for international shipping happen during summer (between August and September) and shortly after the Chinese New Year. The demand is higher, and capacity is limited during the peak season. Therefore, the shipping costs would be higher than usual. If you want to get the best deals, avoid shipping during these months.
Other fees to consider when delivering business or personal items abroad:
- Insurance
- Packing
- Taxes and Custom fees
- Inspections
- General Rate Increase
- Storage
In Burundi, peak seasons happen mid-year and during the holiday season. So if you're shipping within those months, it's best to choose door-to-door shipping. It's more likely that the Bujumbura Port will be receiving a large number of exports and imports during that time. It may take days to process your container or items if you choose the port-to-port service.
Average Hauling Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full moving up to 45,000lbs.
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $1755 |
| 40 ft Container | $1865 |
LCL shipping is more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments.
Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $85/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $735 |
| Household Goods | $795 |
International house moving to Burundi services - quick, easy and cheap.
International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $538 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $2805 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $3205 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $3805 |
International auto transport services to Burundi via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suvs, atv's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment and more.
Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $2305 |
| SUV (Container) | $2435 |
| Sedan via RORO | $1275 |
| SUV via RORO | $1355 |
Which Size of Container Works Best for Me?
There are many types of containers, but you only need to be familiar with two: the 20-foot and the 40-foot. The other options are primarily for corporate and industrial shipments.
A 20-foot can pack household items of a three-bedroom apartment. It has a volume of 33 cubic meters (cbm). However, there is usually only about 25-28cbm of usable area.
On the other hand, the 40-foot container has a total capacity of 67cbm, but roughly 54-58cbm is actually used. If you have a lot of items to transport, 40-foot containers are clearly the better option. Houses with four (or more) bedrooms will almost certainly require a 40-foot container.
You don't have to pay for the entire container when transporting your belongings. You can ask the moving company to move your cargo through LCL shipping. In LCL, or less than container load, you will share a single container's space with other individuals.
The contents of a one-bedroom flat could generally be transported using LCL. If you have a large number of things to send, FCL (Full Container Load) or sole-use cargo is the best option.
You should pay for a whole container to transfer all of your stuff together. Since the container will only include your items, this option is quicker and safer.
Different Types of Transportation
There are various ways to send overseas, similar to how we ship domestically, each having its own pricing, benefits, and disadvantages.
- Land transport (by truck or train): Trucks and railroads are often used in domestic and intercontinental moves, although they are not suitable for international shipping. Land transportation has the advantage of being inexpensive and generally efficient, but it has the disadvantage of being limited to destinations that can be reached by road or track.
- Air freight is not a very common option for moving a container overseas due to its high cost. Air freight can be ten times more expensive than maritime freight. On the other hand, it has the advantage of being extremely quick and efficient. It may be a sensible option if you're simply shipping a few boxes at a time. You can choose air freight to ship your container to Burundi. But if you don't want to spend a lot of money on shipping, pick sea freight instead.
- Sea freight, or transporting by container ship, is the most low-cost but also the most time-consuming method of shipping internationally. Sea freight can take anywhere from a few days to many weeks, depending on the route and destination. When shipping products between continents, however, a container ship is frequently the only option.
What’s next?
Whether you're transporting personal belongings or consumer goods, Three Movers can help in keeping your items safe throughout the international shipping process.
To know more about how our solutions can help you streamline logistics and protect your shipment, contact us now.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of shipping a container to Burundi typically ranges from $3,200 to $7,800 for a 20-foot container and $4,900 to $10,500 for a 40-foot container. Pricing is driven by origin port, container size, cargo volume, fuel surcharges, port congestion, and inland transport from Dar es Salaam to Burundi. Burundi is landlocked, so ocean freight plus cross-border trucking costs are always included. For broader pricing context, see international moving costs.
Containers bound for Burundi ship by sea to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, then move inland by truck or rail to Bujumbura or other cities. This corridor adds 7–14 days and affects total cost due to border clearance, road conditions, and regional fuel pricing. Weather delays and customs inspections along the Central Corridor can also influence final delivery timing and expense.
Container shipping to Burundi usually takes 30–55 days total. Ocean transit from the U.S., Europe, or Asia to East Africa averages 22–40 days, followed by 1–3 weeks of inland transport and customs clearance. FCL shipments move faster than LCL, which may add consolidation delays at origin or transit hubs.
LCL is cheaper for small shipments, while FCL offers better value for full household or commercial loads. LCL rates are charged per cubic meter and often total $180–$320 per CBM once destination fees are added. FCL avoids shared handling, reduces damage risk, and shortens transit time, making it more cost-efficient for moves over 12–15 CBM.
Shipping a container to Burundi requires a Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and import declaration. Certain goods may need additional permits or inspections. Shipments are regulated under regional customs authorities and coordinated with Tanzania border agencies. Working with an experienced provider helps ensure compliance with cross-border freight rules. Learn more via global moving services.
Yes. Burundi applies import duties, VAT, and processing fees based on cargo type and declared value. Household goods may qualify for partial exemptions, but documentation must be precise. Under-declared values or missing paperwork often cause delays and added storage charges. Duties are assessed after arrival at the inland clearance point, not at the seaport.
Burundi restricts weapons, ammunition, narcotics, counterfeit goods, hazardous materials, and certain agricultural products. Used electronics and vehicles may face additional scrutiny. Restricted items can be seized or destroyed, increasing costs significantly. Proper packing lists and pre-shipment checks reduce the risk of customs penalties or shipment rejection. For packing guidance, see moving overseas shipping costs.
