Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 25 2025
Are you planning to ship a container to Italy? Are you worried about having to navigate the complex world of international shipping?
Three Movers can help you streamline your cargo logistics. We're a shipping company with services available all over the world, notably in Italy.
But how much will you have to pay for the shipp ing process? Let's discuss that in the article below.
How Much Does It Cost Of Shipping A Container To Italy?
Freight Charges
There's no definitive answer to this, but we can give you an estimate. You see, the international shipping rate for a full container load is typically around $2,000 to $3,000.
That amount could either increase or decrease based on additional factors like the method of transport, destination, and season can all affect the final cost of shipping a unit to Italy.
For example, let's assume that you decided to ship your cargo through sea freight. It's more likely that you will pay less regardless of the weight of your container.
In sea freight, the hauling rate will depend on the dimension or size of your cargo.
Also, avoid hauling the container during the peak season. In Italy, peak season happens from April to October. If you move your cargo within those months, expect some delays or an increase in the shipping rate.
In addition to that, here are other factors that can affect the overall shipping cost of your unit to Italy:
- Insurance
- Packing
- Taxes and Custom fees
- Inspections
- General Rate Increase
- Storage
Average Cargo Fees Estimates
FCL Transport Charges
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets, and anything which will require a total container shipping to Italy of up to 45,000lbs.
- 20 ft Container $480
- 40 ft Container $680
LCL Delivery Prices
LCL shipping is a more affordable way to transport less than container shipments to Italy.
- LCL $55/CBM
- Household Goods $795
- Personal Effects $940
International House Moving Expenses
International house moving to Italy services – quick, easy, and cheap.
- Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) $460
- 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) $1125
- 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) $1934
- 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) $2856
Unit Car Shifting
International auto transport services to Italy via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, boats, RV's, heavy equipment, and more.
- Sedan $1157
- SUV (Container) $1270
- Sedan via RORO $735
- SUV via RORO $795
Which Size Of Dispatching Units Works Best For Me?
A 20-foot container for receptacle load shipments is ideal for transporting your belongings inside a single-room apartment. It has enough space to store everything in your living area, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. In case you're transporting goods, it can hold ten standard-size pallets.
A 40ft unit size, on the other hand, is the best choice for moving a micro/small business or a four-bedroom house.
In case your items can't fill an entire unit, you can save money by shipping them via LCL(Less Than Container Load). You will split the cost and storage of a container with other people or businesses under this shipping option.
If you don't want to mix your belongings with other people and need to export your cargo immediately, choose FCL(Full Container Load) shipping. You will pay for the entire unit, and the moving company will start to ship it whether it's full or not.
Different Types Of Freight Transportation
You have three options for freight transportation. These are air, land, and sea freight.
Your unit will be loaded onto trailer trucks or freight trains to reach its destination in the land freight. That's why if you are transporting your cargo from the United States, your sole options are sea freight or air freight.
Sea freight is the ideal type of transport for 20ft or 40th containers. You can ship your belongings to Italy without worrying about the cost of shipping because it is less expensive than air freight.
Moving a container through air freight is already expensive. If your cargo is heavier than the allowed weight, chances are you will pay more for the shipping fee.
What Is The Expenses Of Transit From The Area?
Comparing prices of freight forwarders for Italy hauling, we have brought a new image of a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to transport your cargo that is waiting on the horizon. This time it's coming from Italy, where a company called Vettore has introduced their line of eco-friendly units. These brand-new climate-controlled shipping containers are not only more efficient in terms of CO2 emissions, but they can also be used as a storage space or as a mobile home.
The Vettore containers come in six different models, ranging from 20 feet to 40 feet in length, and are designed to provide comfort and energy efficiency. The one-bedroom model is the eco-container for those who need to travel light and fast, as it can be pulled by a small car. The three-bedroom model is the perfect solution for long-term traveling and comfortable living. This eco-container has all the amenities of a home: central heating, air conditioner, and even an oven and coffee maker.
Lastly, the five-bedroom models offer all that plus an extra room to separate private functions (for example, the bathroom). Container Shipping from ItalyWith our new image of cargo transportation, there are no more limitations to where you can travel. We are now witnessing the birth of a "mobile home" if you will be designed to last long periods in potentially harsh conditions while offering excellent comfort and security.
What Is The Fees Of Conveyance A 20 ft Unit?
20 ft container to Italy will cost around $2500-$3800 depending on the port of load, port of discharge/destination. The price also includes the container cost. Please note that this is an approximate quote for illustration purposes only. Actual charges may vary according to different factors such as dimensions and weight of the shipment, time of booking, level of insurance coverage required, etc. The authorities should be confirmed after receiving full shipment details.
Shipping a 20 ft unit to Italy from the USA is around $2500-$3800 depending on the port of load, port of discharge/destination. The price also includes the container cost. Please note that this is an approximate quote for illustration purposes only. Actual charges may vary according to factors such as dimensions and weight of the shipment, and time.
What Is The Fees Of Transportation A 40ft Unit?
Shipping costs can be affected by several variables. Without knowing more about your project, we are unable to provide a more precise estimate than "it depends heavily on the destination and the volume." To assist you budget, we have included a simple calculator on our website.
Airfreight
When the customer has a time-sensitive deadline, air freight is usually the fastest and most convenient solution. However, it comes at an Italy cost.
Shipping by sea takes about 1-2 weeks to reach the destination, while the cargo would take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks to reach its goal when sent by air.
The benefit of this method though is that the cargo is generally about 60% of its original value when it reaches its destination. In comparison, airfreight often results in up to 80% loss due to port-related charges. Also, customs clearance is straightforward with sea transport.
Another benefit of this excellent method for bulk consignments is that many carriers offer discounts on large volumes. Customers can also opt to take the container as a liner service, making it easier for them as they can book cargo space from their base port rather than going through intermediaries at different ports.
In addition, there is a huge price difference between air and sea freight. For example, sending one 40ft unit from Shanghai to Genoa by air would cost around US$1,600 at the lowest. But sending it by sea would only cost about US$540.
Ocean Freight
Sea freight is the simplest and least cost-effective way to transport; it can be used for almost any cargo. It's especially useful for shipping very large or heavy shipments since the rates are often determined by volume rather than weight.
Sea freight containers allow quick loading and unloading of goods, but they limit what type of goods can be shipped. The primary advent age of sea freight is that it's the cheapest way to send bulk cargo, while also being quite fast - shipments can arrive just a few days after departure.
Land Freight
You will use land freight to move your products from the warehouse to the customer. This service includes loading, unloading, and sorting. The price of land freight can be between 30% - 50% of the overall cost of transportation. You must estimate these costs carefully so that you don't run into any surprises before or after you ship.
You should include unloading and loading service costs when budgeting for land freight. For example, if you load your goods into a container at the factory where
it's produced, you'll probably need to pay for an outside company to unload the container once it arrives. The price will vary depending on the weight and volume of your shipment, but you can expect to spend roughly $40 per cubic meter.
Average Logistics Fees Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full container hauling to Italy of up to 45,000lbs.
| Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $480 |
| 40 ft Container | $680 |
LCL shipping is a more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Italy.
| Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $55/CBM |
| Household Goods | $795 |
| Personal Effects | $940 |
International house moving to Italy services - quick, easy and cheap.
| International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $460 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1125 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $1934 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $2856 |
International auto transport services to Italy via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suvs, atv's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment and more.
| Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $1157 |
| SUV (Container) | $1270 |
| Sedan via RORO | $735 |
| SUV via RORO | $795 |
What Is An LCL?
The minimum size for one full unit load is 40 feet or 12m, though most units are 20 feet (6m) or 40 feet (12m). An entire shipping container can also be shared. Shipment of this type means that you share the container space with other goods, and there will be no loading costs involved as it is included in the price. It's the cheapest way to transport a shipment as you pay for what you use.
What Is A FCL?
A full container load (FCL) is a full unit that has been filled by the supplier and leaves the origin with no remaining capacity. This ensures that all space within the container is utilized, which reduces transportation costs for suppliers, carriers, or exporters. There are two types of FCL: 1) 20-foot equivalent units (TEU 20', 40' or 45') 2) 40-foot equivalent units (TEU 20', 40' or 45').
Relocating Household Goods To The Area
If you’re shipping household goods to Italy, you have to know how many containers you’ll need. To minimize the cost of shipping, it’s best to declutter everything you don’t need before moving. When you move a limited amount of household goods, you probably don’t need one full crate. In that case, you should opt for less than container load shipping. By doing this, you’ll not have to pay for space that you don’t take up.
For a 1-2 bedroom house, a 10-foot crate is probably enough. A 20 ft unit should be able to fit the belongings of an average 3-bedroom house. If you have a 4-bedroom house, you can opt for one 20ft unit and one 10 ft container. If you have an even bigger house, you’ll probably need a 40 ft crate to ship your belongings.
Delivery & Loading Options
Another essential factor that can affect the cost of your planning to deliver and load shipping containers. If you plan to move by FCL, you might have three choices depending on the NVOCC mover forwarder.
1. Port To Port
It is one of the basics, and upon this, the rates on top are based. Essentially, port-to-port shipping enables you to get your goods to the origin port, then the company delivers them to the destined port, and after that, you are liable to get them to the house.
2. Drop & Fill
The shipping company drops the shipping container here at your home, and then you fill it by yourself. You can also use domestic packers and movers working separately from the company to help out.
Furthermore, this is a choice on your moves, another end where the company leaves a container to your house and then it is up to you to unload it
3. Door To Door Transit
The most well-understood option for overseas people is a comprehensive door-to-door moving service. Depending upon the choice you pick, your mover arranges to deliver the container to your house, move to port, pack, ship, move to the new location, and lastly, unpacked.
What's Next?
Now that you know the factors that could affect the cost of shipping a container to Italy, your next move is to contact us! We'll give you a free quote and then we can start packing your things. You’ll be happy you reached out.
You can call us at (888) 202-0036 or send us an email at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of shipping a container to Italy typically ranges from $2,800–$6,500 for a 20-foot container and $4,500–$9,500 for a 40-foot container. Pricing is driven by container size, origin port, fuel surcharges, and seasonal demand. Additional expenses include inland trucking, customs clearance, and insurance, often adding $1,200–$3,500. These figures align with current international freight market conditions and EU port handling practices. For comparison, review average international moving container costs.
Shipping costs are influenced by container type, distance to Italian ports, cargo weight and volume, fuel rates, and global capacity constraints. Port congestion in Italy, customs inspections, and inland delivery logistics also affect pricing. Peak shipping seasons typically raise rates due to limited vessel availability. Documentation accuracy and packing efficiency further impact total charges. These factors collectively determine overall shipping container transport cost for Italy-bound freight.
Household goods are often cheaper because used personal effects may qualify for reduced duties, while commercial cargo is subject to VAT, customs tariffs, and stricter inspections. Commercial shipments frequently require palletization and additional compliance paperwork, increasing costs. Household relocations can reduce expenses through shared containers or consolidated loads. For relocations, comparing options with a global moving services provider helps clarify cost differences.
Shipping a container to Italy usually takes 18–35 days from major U.S. ports. East Coast departures tend to arrive faster than West Coast routes. Transit time depends on sailing schedules, transshipment stops, customs clearance speed, and congestion at ports such as Genoa or Naples. Door-to-door service adds inland transport time at both origin and destination. Weather and peak seasons can extend delivery windows.
A 20-foot container fits most studio or one-bedroom households, while a 40-foot container suits 3–5 bedroom homes or larger shipments. Selecting the correct size affects cost efficiency, loading time, and port fees. Oversizing increases freight and handling costs, while undersizing risks split shipments. For household moves, reviewing moving overseas shipping costs helps estimate the right container choice.
No. Shipping quotes typically exclude Italian customs duties and VAT, which are paid separately upon import. VAT is commonly 22%, calculated on declared value plus shipping. Duties vary by product category, while qualifying household goods may receive partial exemptions. Accurate inventories and documentation are essential to avoid clearance delays, storage fees, or penalties during Italian customs processing.
Yes. Costs can be lowered by shipping off-peak, choosing port-to-port service, reducing shipment volume, or using shared containers. Early booking avoids premium rates, while efficient packing minimizes cubic footage. Comparing full-container and consolidated options helps control expenses. Planning with an experienced international moving and storage provider can prevent unexpected charges.
