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Cost of Shipping a Container to Germany

Published on 2021-08-24

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Container To Germany?

Cost of shipping a container to Germany, USA shipping sea freight container size
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 affect the cost of shipping

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:

  1. 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 size of shipping container works 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 shipping 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.

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Instant Rates For Shipping Containers To Germany

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 Germany of up to 45,000lbs.

Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates

20 ft Container $185
40 ft Container $260

Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates

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

Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates

LCL $36/CBM
Household Goods $385
Personal Effects $330
International House Moving Costs

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

Container Car Shipping

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 of 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 Shipping Costs

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’s Next?

Now that you are aware of the logistics involved in shipping 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.

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Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Documents That I Will Need When Shipping to Germany?

There are a few important documents you need when shipping internationally. Below is a list of items you will need:

Commercial and Proforma Invoices
Bills of Lading
Packing List
Shipper’s Letter of Instructions (SLI)
Automated Export System (AES) Filing
Certificate of Origin (CO)
Incoterms
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Operational Instructions
Shipping Under a Letter of Credit

There might be special products that will need additional government permission or licenses.

Is My Bill of Lading Important?

The Bill of Lading acts as a receipt for freight services. It’s a contract between a freight forwarder or carrier and a shipper. It details the route of the shipment and the mode of transportation used. It also functions as a document of title and is important because it passes the right to possession of the goods from one party to another.

I Lost My Bill of Lading. What Are The Next Steps That I Should Take?

If the original Bill of Lading is lost, destroyed, or stolen, a replacement cannot be obtained unless the original has been found. There are multiple steps you must take if this is the case.

You must acquire a letter from the shipper detailing that Bill of Lading was lost. The shipper will need to obtain a court order that directs the transport line or carrier to make the delivery to the holder of the title of the goods.

The transporter will also receive a letter of indemnity from the shipper, which releases the transporter from any liabilities under the terms of the original outstanding bill.

You might also need a bank guarantee, commercial invoice, and a packing list.

What Am I NOT Allowed To Ship To Germany?

Every country, including Germany, has a list of restricted and prohibited items. As per Germany’s shipping restrictions, there are only few items you’re not allowed to send, making shipping to Germany easier than to most other countries.

Prohibited items are goods forbidden by law to enter the country. Here is a list of prohibited items in Germany:

• Drugs (including “over the counter” and certain nutritional supplements)
• Endangered animals
• Endangered plants
• Explosives
• Firearms
• Meat and dairy products

Restricted items are items that you can send as long as you abide by the rules and requirements. Below is a list of restricted items for import in Germany:

• Animals
• Chemicals
• Currency
• Leather products
• Powdered milk and canned foods
• Radioactive and toxic materials

Are There Customs Taxes/Duties That I’m Supposed to Pay When Shipping to Germany?

Almost all of the items – excluding the prohibited ones – can be imported into Germany. Goods amounting to a total of €430, excluding alcohol and tobacco.

Once your goods exceed the duty-free limit, you will be required to pay sales tax (VAT) of 19% in addition to the customs fees that vary depending on the value of your goods.

I’m Worried About My Cargo. Can I Track It In Transit?

Yes, you can track your cargo while it is in transit. In transit means that your cargo is on the way to you or to your point of destination. The good news is, the cargo transit system will allow you to track your shipment anytime and anywhere. You will need your container number/Bill of Lading/booking number and the shipping line.

Are The Containers Well-Protected?

All of the containers used are water-resistant, well-ventilated as they are manufactured with vents on the upper portion of the container walls, and they all come with a product guarantee. There are containers sold with an “As-ls” condition. They may have holes or some kind of damage. They will be priced according to their value, so no need to worry about that.

Can I Have My Container Delivered At Home?

Yes, you can! You will need the appropriate space for the home delivery of your container. For a 20’ container, you will need about 50’ straightway clearance. A 40’ container will need 110’ straightway clearance. Since the containers are 8’ wide, you will need 10’ width clearance so the trailer will have enough space to drop off your container. The more space for your container, the better.

Is It Important To Get Insurance For My Shipment?

Insurance is a must for every shipment. This ensures that you and your items are well-protected from any damages or unprecedented situations that may arise during the shipment process. In cases where you refuse to get insurance for your items, the container rental company will usually require you to still insure and protect their shipping container.

How Long Will It Take For My Shipment To Clear Customs In Germany?

All of the shipments in Germany are allowed a maximum of 14 storage days from the day of delivery. Your shipment should be cleared within this time period.


Shipping Containers Worldwide – Popular Routes

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

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

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

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

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]

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