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Cost Of Shipping A Container To Colombia

Published on 2021-08-25

How Much Does It Cost Of Shipping A Container To Colombia?

Cost of Shipping a Container to Colombia
Colombia Container Shipping Cost

The cost of shipping a container 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 Colombian pesos, but as stated, many underlying factors determine the relative cost of shipping 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 shipping; that’s why in this article we’re going to help you understand the elements involved in determining the shipping costs of your containers.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Shipping

The final price of shipping a container 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 shipping 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 Shipping Container Works Best for Me?

The types of containers most commonly used in shipping 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).

International shipments and shipping process
Instant Rates For Shipping 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 Shipping Rates Estimates

Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates

FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full container shipping to Colombia of up to 45,000lbs.

Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates

20 ft Container $895
40 ft Container $1075

Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates

LCL shipping is more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Colombia.

Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates

LCL $44/CBM
Personal Effects $430
Household Goods $490
International House Moving Costs

International house moving to Colombia services – quick, easy and cheap.

International House Moving Costs

Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) $385
1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) $1868
2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) $2303
3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) $2807

Container Car Shipping

International auto transport services to Colombia via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suvs, atv’s, boats, RV’s, heavy equipment and more.

Container Car Shipping

Sedan (Container) $1868
SUV (Container) $1957
Sedan via RORO $1553
SUV via RORO $1634

Understanding the Different Types of Freight Transportation

When it comes to shipping your goods to Columbia, there are two common ways, ocean freight, and air freight.

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 freight.

However, when it comes to faster shipping and secure transport of your goods, air freight is your best chance.

Additional Shipping Costs

As mentioned earlier, factors that influence shipping 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’s Next

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 shipping rates ever.

So, get moving with a free quote from us. We can still be reached at (888) 202-0036.

Container ship with shipping boxes and containers heading to a destination port
Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Bill of Lading?

When we purchase items from the grocery store, we receive a list of the items we paid for. That’s how a Bill of Lading works.

The Bill of Lading is a document executed by a carrier, such as a railroad or shipping line, acknowledging receipt of goods and embodying an agreement to transport the goods to a stated destination. Bills of Lading are closely related to warehouse receipts, which contain an agreement for storage rather than carriage.

Which Documents Are Necessary When Shipping to Colombia?

Before shipping a container to Colombia, you must take into consideration which of your items need specific certifications and requirements.

Contact your shipping company to see which of your items may be subject to requirements in regards to documentation. These are some of the possible certifications needed:

● Sanitary certificates
● Licenses
● Permits
● Certificates of Free Sale

The European Commission’s Market Access Database supplies information that explains each relevant form and is searched by tariff code.

The Colombian National Institute for Control of Medical Products and Foods (INVIMA) is responsible for such certifications. However, specific requirements are operated by others, such as the Ministry of Environment.

A Certificate of Free Sale can be required to exhibit that goods are accessible for retail sale, that they comply with EU regulations, and that they are suitable for use by EU consumers. For more details, please visit Colombia Doing Business Guide.

What’s The Difference Between a Freight Forwarder, a Broker, and an NVOCC?

When shipping your goods to a different country, nothing is more important than ensuring the company you work with is the perfect fit. That’s why we have to tap into the differences between two types of partner companies, such as Freight Forwarders and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs).

According to More Than Shipping, “The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) classifies Freight Forwarders and NVOCCs as Ocean Transportation Intermediaries. They are considered the same during most transportation procedures due to their identical FMC classification, but there are several differences between the two. In the areas of multimodal transport and international maritime, these differences are especially apparent.

What Kind of Taxes, Duties, and/or Fees Do I Have to Pay When Shipping to Colombia?

According to the Colombia Business Guide, “The Harmonized System (HS) code is an international classification of products for export purposes. Customs officials worldwide use this classification to determine the duties, taxes, and regulations that apply to the product. To obtain an HS code, you should contact HM Revenue & Customs at (+44 (0)1702 366077).

In addition to import duties, IVA (equivalent to VAT) is levied on the value of the items. The general rate of IVA is 16 percent, but certain products are subject to higher or lower rates. We recommend the European Commission’s Market Access Database as a valuable resource to research how much it will cost to import your product. The database is available at www.mad.europa.eu but can only be accessed from an internet service provider within the EU.

Within the database, the Applied Tariffs Database section allows users to enter an HS code or product description to obtain a tariff rate and details of taxes applicable, enabling you to calculate a landed cost.”

How Important Is It to Get Insurance for My Cargo?

In some cases, containers either get lost, destroyed, or even stolen. According to Allyn International, “To make the company pay for such commotion, purchase insurance beforehand. To prevent paying for additional costs, ensure that you have your Bill of Lading with you to protect the cargo against inevitable losses. In the event of failure, a cargo insurance policy indemnifies the cargo interest. Most cargo insurance policies are underwritten on an “all-risk basis.” This means that the insured is covered for risk of loss or damage except for those risks that are expressly excluded in the policy, such as loss or damage due to willful destruction of the goods by the insured or the inherent vice of the goods.”

My Container Is Being Delivered to My Home. How Much Space Is Required?

Before deciding to schedule container delivery to your site, you must consider a few factors. You must know in advance the details about delivery fees, permitting requirements, ground conditions, and clearance space. The worst thing you can experience right before you ship your container is removing it because you didn’t do your homework on specific site requirements!

A 20-foot storage container usually requires about 75 feet of straight clearance. A 40-foot storage container will need about 100 feet of straightforward clearance. For most containers, you need a minimum of 12 feet of width clearance and 20 feet of overhead clearance.

Do I Need to Be Present When My Container Is Delivered?

Yes, you must be physically present when the container is delivered because your signature will be required to sign specific documents. You also need to supervise the moving team when the container arrives so you can check if the goods are still intact.


Shipping Containers Worldwide – Popular Routes

Three Movers can help you ship a container from anywhere in the world to Colombia:

Afghanistan to Colombia
Albania to Colombia
Algeria to Colombia
Andorra to Colombia
Angola to Colombia
Antigua to Colombia
Argentina to Colombia
Armenia to Colombia
Australia to Colombia
Austria to Colombia
Azerbaijan to Colombia
Bahamas to Colombia
Bahrain to Colombia
Bangladesh to Colombia
Barbados to Colombia
Belarus to Colombia
Belgium to Colombia
Belize to Colombia
Benin to Colombia
Bhutan to Colombia
Bolivia to Colombia
Bosnia Herzegovina to Colombia
Botswana to Colombia
Brazil to Colombia
Brunei to Colombia
Bulgaria to Colombia
Burkina to Colombia
Burundi to Colombia
Cambodia to Colombia
Cameroon to Colombia
Canada to Colombia
Cape Verde to Colombia
Central African Rep to Colombia
Chad to Colombia
Chile to Colombia
China to Colombia
Comoros to Colombia
Congo to Colombia
Congo {Democratic Rep} to Colombia
Costa Rica to Colombia
Croatia to Colombia
Cuba to Colombia
Cyprus to Colombia
Czech Republic to Colombia
Denmark to Colombia
Djibouti to Colombia
Dominica to Colombia
Dominican Republic to Colombia
East Timor to Colombia
Ecuador to Colombia
Egypt to Colombia
El Salvador to Colombia
Equatorial Guinea to Colombia
Eritrea to Colombia
Estonia to Colombia
Ethiopia to Colombia
Fiji to Colombia
Finland to Colombia
France to Colombia
Gabon to Colombia
Gambia to Colombia
Georgia to Colombia
Germany to Colombia
Ghana to Colombia
Greece to Colombia
Grenada to Colombia

Guatemala to Colombia
Guinea to Colombia
Guinea-Bissau to Colombia
Guyana to Colombia
Haiti to Colombia
Honduras to Colombia
Hungary to Colombia
Iceland to Colombia
India to Colombia
Indonesia to Colombia
Iran to Colombia
Iraq to Colombia
Ireland to Colombia
Israel to Colombia
Italy to Colombia
Ivory Coast to Colombia
Jamaica to Colombia
Japan to Colombia
Jordan to Colombia
Kazakhstan to Colombia
Kenya to Colombia
Kiribati to Colombia
Korea North to Colombia
Korea South to Colombia
Kosovo to Colombia
Kuwait to Colombia
Kyrgyzstan to Colombia
Laos to Colombia
Latvia to Colombia
Lebanon to Colombia
Lesotho to Colombia
Liberia to Colombia
Libya to Colombia
Liechtenstein to Colombia
Lithuania to Colombia
Luxembourg to Colombia
Macedonia to Colombia
Madagascar to Colombia
Malawi to Colombia
Malaysia to Colombia
Maldives to Colombia
Mali to Colombia
Malta to Colombia
Marshall Islands to Colombia
Mauritania to Colombia
Mauritius to Colombia
Mexico to Colombia
Micronesia to Colombia
Moldova to Colombia
Monaco to Colombia
Mongolia to Colombia
Montenegro to Colombia
Morocco to Colombia
Mozambique to Colombia
Myanmar, {Burma} to Colombia
Namibia to Colombia
Nauru to Colombia
Nepal to Colombia
Netherlands to Colombia
New Zealand to Colombia
Nicaragua to Colombia
Niger to Colombia
Nigeria to Colombia
Norway to Colombia
Oman to Colombia
Pakistan to Colombia

Palau to Colombia
Palestine to Colombia
Panama to Colombia
Papua New Guinea to Colombia
Paraguay to Colombia
Peru to Colombia
Philippines to Colombia
Poland to Colombia
Portugal to Colombia
Qatar to Colombia
Romania to Colombia
Russian Federation to Colombia
Rwanda to Colombia
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines to Colombia
Samoa to Colombia
San Marino to Colombia
Sao Tome & Principe to Colombia
Saudi Arabia to Colombia
Senegal to Colombia
Serbia to Colombia
Seychelles to Colombia
Sierra Leone to Colombia
Singapore to Colombia
Slovakia to Colombia
Slovenia to Colombia
Solomon Islands to Colombia
Somalia to Colombia
South Africa to Colombia
South Sudan to Colombia
Spain to Colombia
Sri Lanka to Colombia
St Kitts & Nevis to Colombia
St Lucia to Colombia
Sudan to Colombia
Suriname to Colombia
Swaziland to Colombia
Sweden to Colombia
Switzerland, {Eswatini} to Colombia
Syria to Colombia
Taiwan to Colombia
Tajikistan to Colombia
Tanzania to Colombia
Thailand to Colombia
Timor-Leste to Colombia
Togo to Colombia
Tonga to Colombia
Trinidad & Tobago to Colombia
Tunisia to Colombia
Turkey to Colombia
Turkmenistan to Colombia
Tuvalu to Colombia
Uganda to Colombia
Ukraine to Colombia
United Arab Emirates to Colombia
United Kingdom to Colombia
United States to Colombia
Uruguay to Colombia
Uzbekistan to Colombia
Vanuatu to Colombia
Vatican City to Colombia
Venezuela to Colombia
Vietnam to Colombia
Yemen to Colombia
Zambia to Colombia
Zimbabwe to Colombia

Written by Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend is a moving professional and relocation expert that has more than 10 years of experience in the moving industry. With a background that includes working in virtually every aspect of the company, he has distinguished himself as an integral part of our operations with expertise in all things related to moving.

If you have any questions about moving, our services, or anything else you think he may be able to help with, you can contact Chris by emailing him at [email protected]

Customer Reviews

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