Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Jan, 05 2026
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Container To Madagascar?
Moving to Madagascar, with its natural beauty and extensive beaches is a journey in itself. Making a list of household items and sorting through key assets, on the other hand, might be a messy process.
You require a comprehensive company, such as Three Movers, to manage your packaging, loading, container shipping overseas, and unloading, relieving you from the burden of worrying about every minute detail.
What Are the Factors That Affect the Cost of Shifting?
You must be aware of the various elements of the procedure to make an informed and value-added conclusion. Our expert team seeks to deliver you with correct advice at no cost.
Here are some factors to look out for:
- When choosing from a list of containers with varying sizes, the weight of your shipments is quite important. The general categories are 20', 20'cube, 40', 40'cube, flat-racked, and reefers. Careful attention should be given to the to-be-licensed materials cited by the government of Madagascar. Credit card blanks, knives, soil, and other items are among the materials listed.
- The distance between Madagascar and the United States is 9,852 miles. Your final bill will be heavily influenced by the cost of fuel per mile. Other types of insurance plans, such as those covering natural disasters like storms or seasonal tides, can also raise prices.
- The peak season for container shifting in the United States is from June to October. Companies are already booked due to high demand, and if you want to keep your budget under control, this period should be avoided due to sky-high charges.
What Size of Container Meets Your Requirements?
Different sizes of containers can also be combined with specific types of load modes. Our wide selection of possibilities provides you with a lot of information regarding the suitability of your specific package.
Some of the types are:
- High Cube Containers
- Open Top Container
- Thermal Container
- Refrigerated ISO Container
- Half-Height Container
There are others based on individuality or sharing:
- FCLs (Full Container Load) are for single-ownership. These are more expensive, but they may be used to move an entire household or workplace.
- Multiple occupants choose Less Than A Container Load (LCL) and are supplied with a full list of items to follow. This option can help you save money on your final bill.
Average Container Shifting Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full container relocating of up to 45,000lbs.
Full Container Load (FCL) Moving Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $2230 |
| 40 ft Container | $2650 |
LCL shipping is more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Madagascar.
Less Than Container (LCL) Relocating Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $170/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $1220 |
| Household Goods | $1450 |
International house moving to Madagascar services - quick, easy and cheap.
International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $950 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $3280 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $4230 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $5250 |
International auto transport services to Madagascar via RoRo and container ships. Move cars, trucks, suvs, atv's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment and more.
Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $2650 |
| SUV (Container) | $2705 |
| Sedan via RORO | $1550 |
| SUV via RORO | $1690 |
What Are the Types of Transport for Relocating Containers?
Three Movers provides air and sea freight services from the United States to Madagascar.
Air freight shipping is costly and weight restrictions must be considered. However, if you're in a rush and need your cargo delivered in 4-5 days, they're the greatest alternative.
The ocean freight routes are substantially less expensive. They can transport containers weighing up to 45,000 pounds and are frequently used for automobile transport. Starting prices for a 20' container could range from $882 to $2,313 for a 40' container.
What Other Costs Can Add Up to Your Shipping?
We can provide you with a specific list of services and recommendations once you complete our quotation form and indicate the start and endpoints with tentative dates.
We are very thorough and honest in our approach, and, as a result, also open about any additional costs that may arise. Some of these include:
- Customs clearance duties
- Container inspection fees
- General Rate Increase
- Inland delivery charges
- Quarantine fees
- Insurance
What to Do Next?
Allow us to prove why we are the best option for you by trusting my brand with your valuables in overseas relocation.
You can simply send us an email at [email protected] or call us at (888) 202-0036 to get a no-commitment quote today.
Frequently Asked Questions
: The cheap cost of shipping a container to Madagascar typically ranges from 2,800 to 6,500 USD for a 20-foot container and 4,800 to 9,500 USD for a 40-foot container. Pricing is driven by container size, origin port, cargo weight, fuel surcharges, seasonal demand, and port congestion at Toamasina. Inland trucking, customs clearance, insurance, and delivery access can add 800 to 2,500 USD. See international moving cost factors at international moving costs.
Shipping cost Madagascar calculations are based on container size (20ft vs 40ft), total cargo volume, shipping lane distance, and service type (port-to-port or door-to-door). Additional variables include customs documentation, BSC filing, insurance, destination port handling, and local delivery conditions. Rates fluctuate quarterly due to fuel prices and carrier capacity. For a broader breakdown, review moving overseas shipping costs.
Shipping to Madagascar requires BSC (Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons), Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list, import declaration, and certificate of origin. Depending on cargo type, bank payment proof or special permits may apply. Missing or inaccurate documents commonly cause delays of 7–21 days at port, increasing storage and demurrage fees.
Madagascar prohibits shipping radioactive waste, hazardous materials, pornographic content, counterfeit goods, and items with false origin markings. Firearms, explosives, drugs, precious stones, gold jewelry, vanilla, and tobacco require prior authorization. Lubricants need an import license. Violations often lead to seizure, fines, or forced re-export at the shipper’s expense.
Imports to Madagascar are subject to customs duties, port fees, and VAT fixed at 20%. Certain goods like agricultural equipment, fertilizers, seeds, animal feed, rice, and kerosene may qualify for exemptions. Duties are calculated on CIF value (cost, insurance, freight), making accurate declarations critical to avoid penalties or reassessments.
A Bill of Lading is a legal transport contract, receipt of goods, and document of title issued by the carrier. It lists shipment details, container numbers, consignee, and destination. Without an original or properly released Bill of Lading, containers cannot be cleared or collected at Malagasy ports, often triggering storage charges after free-time expires.
Yes, container tracking is available using carrier container numbers, Bill of Lading references, and AIS vessel tracking. Updates typically show port departure, transshipment, and arrival milestones. Tracking accuracy improves once the container is loaded onboard, while inland or customs stages may update less frequently depending on local systems.
Standard ocean containers are designed to be wind- and watertight, suitable for long sea routes to Madagascar. However, used containers may show wear, and AS-IS units are not guaranteed. Proper cargo bracing, moisture barriers, and desiccants are recommended due to humid conditions at Indian Ocean ports and extended transit times.
