Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 25 2025
Philippines Container Shipping Cost
How Much Does It Cost Of Shipping A Container To Philippines?
Do you want to send a container out of the nation where you live? If this is the case, you may face some difficulties. Nonetheless, you don't have to be concerned about it because Three Movers has you covered. We also handle cargo for international shipments to other nations throughout the world, including the Philippines.
This guide is designed to inform the general public on the rates at which a container can be carried to the area, as well as the significant factors that impact the rates of shipping a container to the Philippines.
Factors That Affect The Price Of Delivery Units To The Area
Five key elements impact the cost of moving products across national borders. It's only natural to think about them before delivering your goods, given their unquestionable importance. These criteria include delivery volume/weight, mode of transportation, shipping distance, destination port, and the season.
International shipping costs are determined by the volume/weight of packages as well as the distance traveled i.e. minimum shipment volume. The charge of delivery normally rises as the volume/weight of the international delivery increases and the transportation distance increases. However, not all modes of transportation incur the same costs; air freight transportation is typically the most expensive. Ocean freight is a cheaper option. Privately owned destination ports, like government-owned destination ports, tend to charge more.
Furthermore, the peak season in the Philippines, which is the time of year when there is a greater demand for delivery to be transported, usually occurs between August and October each year. Shipping charges to the area are highest during this time of year. Retailers start preparing for back-to-school and the holiday seasons around this time.
During these months, as you might expect, freight prices rise and truck capacity is scarce, forcing shippers to pay higher spot rates depending on whether you are shipping the entire container and the container size.
Which Size Of Hauling Crate Is Most Suitable For Me?
Depending on the size and weight of your shipment, you can select either a 20-foot or 40-foot container for delivery to the Philippines. A 40-foot crate can accommodate twice as many items as a 20-foot unit, which is 400 flat-screen televisions or 48,000 bananas. Although a 40-foot unit may hold twice as much as a 20-foot container, its price is not typically double.
Instant Rates For Shipping Containers To Philippines
Average Box Shifting Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets, and anything that will require a full container load shipping to the Philippines of up to 45,000 lbs.
| Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $445 |
| 40 ft Container | $785 |
LCL shipping is a more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to the Philippines.
| Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $46/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $485 |
| Household Goods | $650 |
International house moving to Philippines services – quick, easy and cheap shipping process.
| International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $472 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1772 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $2375 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $3075 |
International auto transport services to the Philippines via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, boats, RV's, heavy equipment, and more.
| Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan via RORO | $1175 |
| SUV via RORO | $1270 |
| Sedan (Container) | $1370 |
| SUV (Container) | $1485 |
Understanding The Different Types Of Freight Transportation
Transportation and logistics are seen as key drivers of economic growth in the Philippines. The country's shipping system is multimodal, encompassing both inter and intra-island mobility, and often involves air, sea, and road forms of transportation. However, when it comes to shipping goods, there are two major modes of transportation: air and sea moving transportation. The mode of transportation you choose is determined by your requirements. If you need your items delivered quickly, air freight delivery is the way to go. On the other hand, if you don't want to spend a lot of money on shipping your cargo, you should work with an ocean shipping company.
Difference Between FCL And LCL
For customers with minimal cargo volumes, we designed a system in which multiple customers can share a container. This is referred to as a "less than container load" (LCL).
Any international delivery greater than the contents of a one-bedroom apartment will need the usage of a full container. This is called a "Full Container Load" (FCL).
Additional Delivery Charge
Some additional shipping expenses are likely to occur when shipping to international countries. They include:
- Insurance
- Container inspection fees
- General Rate Increase
- Inland delivery charges
- Quarantine fees
- Customs duties
For items valued at less than PHP 10,000 (around 200 USD), the Philippines imposes no tariffs or taxes. For agricultural items, the Philippines' simple average Most Favored Nation applied tariff rate is 9.8%, and for non-agricultural products, it's 5.6 percent (US Trade).
What's Next?
You'll need a quote to get started now that you've learned everything there is to know about shipping a container to the Philippines. We can give you a free, comprehensive quote for air and ocean freight delivery. Simply complete our web form or call us at (888) 202-0036 to get started. We'll start the shipping process as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of shipping a container to the Philippines typically ranges from $2,300 to $6,800 for a 20-foot container and $3,900 to $9,500 for a 40-foot container. Pricing is driven by container size, origin port, sea freight rates, fuel surcharges, destination port fees, customs clearance, and inland delivery. Household goods, packing services, and delivery access also affect totals. Rates fluctuate with global container shipping rates and seasonal demand.
Container shipping rates are calculated using container size (20ft or 40ft), departure country, ocean freight market conditions, port congestion, fuel costs, and destination handling fees. Additional charges may include customs duties, Philippine VAT, documentation fees, and last-mile delivery. Full container load shipments are priced differently than shared containers. For broader pricing context, see international moving costs at international moving costs.
A container shipping cost calculator provides a realistic starting estimate, usually within 10 to 20 percent of final pricing. Accuracy depends on correct inputs such as origin city, container size, cargo type, and delivery address in the Philippines. Final costs may change due to port congestion, customs inspections, or fuel adjustments. Calculators do not always include duties, taxes, or inland transport.
The cheapest way to ship household goods to the Philippines is typically a shared container (LCL) if volume is under 1,000 cubic feet. For larger homes, a 20-foot container is often more cost-effective than LCL. Costs depend on packing needs, inventory size, port access, and delivery distance. Sea freight is significantly cheaper than air freight for non-urgent household shipments.
Container shipping to the Philippines usually takes 20 to 35 days from the U.S. West Coast and 30 to 45 days from the East Coast. Transit time includes ocean freight, port unloading, customs clearance, and inland delivery. Delays can occur due to weather, port congestion, or customs inspections. Door-to-door international moves may extend delivery windows by one to two weeks.
Imported goods to the Philippines may be subject to customs duties (0–65 percent) and 12 percent VAT, depending on item classification and declared value. Household goods for returning residents may qualify for reduced duties with proper documentation. Goods valued under ₱10,000 are typically exempt. Accurate inventories and documentation help avoid delays or reassessments during customs clearance.
Prohibited items include firearms, illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, hazardous materials, and used clothing for resale. Restricted items such as food, medicine, chemicals, plants, and animals require permits or special clearance. Shipping prohibited items can result in seizure, fines, or shipment delays. Always verify restrictions before packing to avoid customs complications during international delivery.
