Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Jan, 06 2026
How Much Does It Cost Of Shipping A Container To Colombia?
Colombia Container Freight Cost
The cost of Transport to Colombia may vary from the pick-up station and this is also dependent on several factors.
Roughly, that should cost you between 5 and 27 million pesos, but as stated, many underlying factors determine the relative cost of cargo a container of any size.
Three Movers is a world-leading shipping service and if you would like to ship a container to Colombia, we are at your service.
We know people have difficulty calculating their cost of freight; that's why in this article we're going to help you understand the elements involved in determining the carriage costs of your containers.
Factors that Affect the Costs
The final price of carriage depends on a variety of variables. The item's volume or weight, the mode of transportation, and the season all play a role.
The season is a dynamic component that we brought up earlier. You can save money on Delivery costs by purchasing during the off season.
You can discover the lowest prices if you visit Colombia in the shoulder seasons (May and August through November).
Shipping costs typically increase from the beginning of December to the middle or end of January due to increased demand during this time of year. It turns out that this holds true between mid-June and late August as well.
Which Size of Freight Container Will Be Best for Me?
The types of containers most commonly used in delivery are two: 20 and 40-foot containers. They differ mainly in appearance and storage capacity. To familiarize yourself with both, a breakdown of their size is as follows:
- Length: 5.9m/19.4ft for 20ft and 12.03m/39.5ft for 40ft container
- Height: 2.39m/7.9ft for 20ft and 2.39m/7.9ft for 40ft container
- Width: 2.35m/7.8ft for 20ft and 2.4m/7.9ft for 40ft container
- The 20ft container has a pay load capacity of 25,000kg/55126.9lbs, and a cubic capacity of 33.2m2/1172cu.
- The 40ft variant has 27600kg/61200lbs as its pay load capacity and a cubic capacity of 67.7m2/2389cu.
Given the size of the two containers, let's take a look at their carrying capacity.
- An EU standard pallet (European pallet is 1.2×0.8m) for each 20ft container is 11 Euro pallets, and 23 to 24 in 40ft container.
- A EUR2 standard pallet (is 1.2×1m) for each 20ft container is 10 to 11 Euro pallets, and 20 or 21 in 40ft container.
- North American standard pallet (is 1.016m×1.219m) for each 20ft container is 10 pallets, and 20 in 40ft container.
Taking into account these variations in both containers, the amount of load you have will determine the cost of your shipment.
However, if the amount of goods you have is less than a container, you do not need to pay for a full container because you can share container spaces with other customers; we call this Less Than Container Load (LCL). Furthermore, if your goods could occupy a whole container, it is called Full Container Load (FCL).
Instant Rates For Transport Containers To Colombia
The difference between the two is that, with LCL, your goods and that of others are packed into one container, but with minimal costs, while in the case of FCL, you pay higher as your goods occupy the entire container.
Besides being cheap when it comes to LCL, FCL has more advantages because you can ship faster, more secure, and also other items that may not be favorable to be contained along with other people's cargo.
Average Container Freight Rates Estimates
FCL Delivery is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full container cargo of up to 45,000lbs.
Full Container Load (FCL)Delivery Charges | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $895 |
| 40 ft Container | $1075 |
LCL shipping is more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Colombia.
Less Than Container (LCL) Delivery Charges | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $44/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $430 |
| Household Goods | $490 |
International house moving to Colombia services - quick, easy and cheap.
Aboard House Hauling Prices | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $385 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1868 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $2303 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $2807 |
International auto transport services via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suvs, atv's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment and more.
Container Car Shipment | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $1868 |
| SUV (Container) | $1957 |
| Sedan via RORO | $1553 |
| SUV via RORO | $1634 |
Understanding the Different Types of Transportation
When it comes to shipping your goods to Columbia, there are two common ways, ocean and air Dispatch.
There is a large disparity between the two, which is why you must explore your options and also consider your priorities in advance.
Sea freight has the advantage of cost; it could be five times cheaper, if not more when compared with air conveyance.
However, when it comes to faster Transport and secure transport of your goods, air dispatch is your best chance.
Additional Logistics Expenses
As mentioned earlier, factors that influence cargo costs include the volume and weight of the item, period of the year, distance, and mode of transportation.
But that's not everything.
There are potential incremental costs due to other procedures such as:
- Custom Fees
- Insurance
- General Rate Increase (GRI)
- Inland Delivery Charges
- Quarantine and Container Inspection Fees etc.
What Is the Next Step?
The above tips will give you a generalized idea of the factors taken into account when determining the cost of shipping a container to Colombia.
As the rate depends on a number of factors that may not have been identified here, the best way to get the right estimate is to get in touch with Three Movers for the lowest Transport rates ever.
So, get moving with a free quote from us. We can still be reached at (888) 202-0036.
Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of shipping a container to Colombia typically ranges from $2,200–$4,800 for a 20-foot container and $3,800–$7,200 for a 40-foot container from major U.S. ports. Pricing depends on container size, origin port, destination port (Cartagena, Barranquilla, Buenaventura), cargo type, fuel surcharges, and seasonal demand. Customs clearance, inland delivery, and port fees can add several hundred dollars. See broader international moving costs.
Container shipping costs are driven by distance from U.S. port, 20-foot vs 40-foot container, full container load vs shared load, cargo weight, insurance, and Colombian port charges. Peak shipping seasons, limited vessel availability, and fuel price fluctuations also impact rates. Additional costs may include customs inspections, storage, and inland trucking within Colombia, especially outside major port cities.
Yes. Shipping from East Coast and Gulf ports like Miami, Houston, or Jacksonville is usually cheaper and faster than West Coast ports. East Coast routes often have shorter transit times and lower fuel costs to Caribbean ports such as Cartagena. West Coast shipments may cost $800–$1,500 more due to longer ocean routes and additional handling.
Transit time to Colombia averages 10–18 days from East Coast ports and 20–30 days from West Coast ports. Timing depends on port congestion, customs processing, weather, and shipping line schedules. Inland delivery within Colombia can add 3–7 days, especially for destinations outside coastal cities. Planning buffers is critical for time-sensitive shipments. Learn more about moving overseas shipping costs.
A standard quote usually includes ocean freight, container usage, and basic port handling. It often excludes customs duties, IVA taxes, cargo insurance, destination port fees, and final delivery. Some quotes are port-to-port only. Always confirm whether packing, documentation, and inland transport are included to avoid unexpected charges during delivery.
Yes. Cargo insurance is strongly recommended due to risks like damage, theft, or delays during international transit. Insurance costs are usually 1–3 percent of declared cargo value. Coverage terms vary by shipment type and value. Insurance is especially important for household goods or high-value commercial cargo stored in containers for extended periods.
You can estimate costs using a container shipping cost calculator, but online tools provide only rough ranges. Accurate pricing requires details like origin ZIP code, container size, cargo type, and delivery address in Colombia. Final quotes reflect real-time carrier rates and port fees. Professional coordination through an international moving and storage service helps lock in accurate pricing.
