Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 25 2025
How Much the Cost For Ship A Container to Germany?
Germany Container Shipping Cost
Three Movers specializes in shipping containers to European countries, including Germany. Their expertise can be seen in the exemplary track record for thousands of successful freighting expeditions over twenty years. However, choosing the right moving agency should be the least of your problems. If you plan to ship your valuables through a container to Germany, there are a few things you must not overlook. We have listed them down for you in the blog below. ocean shipping,
Factors that Affects the Charge of Shipment
There are roughly five factors that affect the cost of freighting your container to Germany or anywhere in the world. Along with the weight or volume of the items, the choice of transportation, and the total distance covered, two other elements are also involved while calculating the shipping cost. They are as follow:
- The destination port in Germany – The two major seaports in Germany are Hamburg and Bremerhaven of Bremen. Port of Hamburg is the obvious choice for the shipments coming from the Baltic sea, while the Port of Bremerhaven is considered when the shipment is coming from the North sea. You can also air freight your container and choose from more than half a dozen airports as the destination port for your shipment.
- The time of the year –The prices during January – February, and August – September (considered the peak season) are highly inflated. Thus, it would be best if you tried to ship your container in the offseason.
Which Shipping Container Size Is Best for Me?
The two container sizes you can choose from to ship your belongings are 20ft and 40ft. The 40ft containers are double in space and do not cost much more than the 20ft containers. You can store the furniture of almost four and more bedrooms in a 40ft container, while the 20ft container is roughly the size of a regular garage room and can hold the furniture of a three-bedroom house. If you are cargo a car, we suggest you go with the 40ft container that can comfortably store it without any hassles.
You can also choose between Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) for the container load. The former option is for those that can completely fill up a container, and it’s the most cost-effective one. However, if you don’t need the full space of the container the LCL option allows you to share it with others to reduce costs.
Instant Rates For Shipping Containers To Germany
Container Shipping Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full container cargo to Germany of up to 45,000lbs.
Full Container Load (FCL) Delivery Charges | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $185 |
| 40 ft Container | $260 |
LCL shipping is more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Germany.
Less Than Container (LCL) Delivery Charges | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $36/CBM |
| Household Goods | $385 |
| Personal Effects | $330 |
International house moving to Germany services - quick, easy and cheap.
International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $330 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1225 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $1752 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $2156 |
International auto transport services to Germany via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suvs, atv's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment and more.
Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $1075 |
| SUV (Container) | $940 |
| Sedan via RORO | $530 |
| SUV via RORO | $595 |
Understanding the Different types for Freight Transportation
Air freight and ocean freight are the two types of shipping mediums that you can employ to transport your container to Germany. You can go with either as Germany has both – seaports and airports that are internationally well-connected.
Air freight is undoubtedly the best and quickest way to ship your container to Germany. However, if the shipment is not urgent, we suggest you choose sea freighting options as they are almost five times cheaper than air freight and produce the least carbon emissions than any other mode of transport.
Additional Logistics Prices
Some other freighting costs that you may have to incur are as follow:
- Custom duties and taxes
- Container inspection fees
- General Rate Increase
- Inland delivery charges
- Quarantine fees
- Insurance for the container and goods inside
You can prevent any inland delivery charges by signing up the shipping contract at a door-to-door rate. The port-to-port rate may seem cheaper, but the additional cost of delivering your container from port to its original destination may leave you paying far more than the former rate.
What is the Next Step?
Now that you are aware of the logistics involved in cargo your container to Germany, you can start planning the expedition and hunting for the right moving service. Get your first quote by filling the form on Three Movers website or call on (888) 202-0036 anytime.
Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of shipping a container to Germany typically ranges from $2,800–$6,500 for a 20-foot container and $4,500–$9,500 for a 40-foot container from the U.S. Pricing is driven by container size, port of origin, cargo volume, fuel surcharges, seasonal demand, and destination port such as Hamburg or Bremerhaven. Door-to-door services, inland transport, and packing increase total cost. For broader comparisons, see international moving costs.
Container shipping rates to Germany are influenced by container size, FCL vs LCL, U.S. departure port, transit route, fuel and bunker adjustment factors, and peak season surcharges. Additional costs include customs clearance, VAT, port handling, and last-mile delivery. Congestion at major ports and winter weather in the North Sea can also affect pricing and transit timelines.
Shipping a container from the U.S. to Germany usually takes 18–35 days port-to-port. East Coast ports such as New York or Savannah average 18–25 days, while West Coast shipments can reach 30–35 days. Total timelines increase with customs clearance, inland trucking, port congestion, and documentation accuracy, especially for household goods or personal effects.
No. Container shipping costs do not include German import taxes. Most shipments are subject to 19% VAT, calculated on the declared value plus shipping charges. Customs duties vary by item type, while used household goods may qualify for relief if residency rules are met. Proper documentation and inventory lists reduce clearance delays. Learn more about overseas fees at moving overseas shipping costs.
A container shipping cost calculator provides a rough estimate but cannot capture final pricing. Actual costs depend on cargo dimensions, weight, service level, origin port, and delivery address in Germany. Port fees, customs exams, and seasonal surcharges are finalized after booking. Calculators are best used for budgeting, not binding quotes.
Shared containers (LCL) are cheaper for small shipments under 10–12 cubic meters, while full container load becomes more cost-effective for larger moves. FCL avoids consolidation delays and reduces handling risk. LCL pricing fluctuates more due to warehouse fees, per-cubic-meter rates, and destination handling charges common at German ports.
Yes. Cargo insurance is strongly recommended for all international container shipments. Ocean carriers offer limited liability based on weight, not value. Insurance protects against loss, water damage, theft, and port handling incidents. Premiums are typically 1–3% of declared value and are especially important for household goods and high-value items.
