Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 08 2025
How Much Does It Cost Of Shipping A Container To Portugal?
Portugal Container Shipping Cost
Are you planning to ship equipment, household goods, or office supplies to Portugal? You may be concerned that you lack the necessary knowledge to reach your goal. We can help you with cargo planning and shipping. Three Movers is a container shipping service company that will guide you through the considerations you'll need to make to reach your goal for your international shipments.
Factors That Affect The Price Of Shifting A Unit To The Area
The cost of international shipping is a significant component in determining whether it is more cost-effective to convey your items or to wait. This is why it's critical to understand the aspects that can affect the price. The following are some of them:
The Weight/Volume of the Goods
Charges for bulky and heavy items are higher. If your things are huge and heavy, you should consider freight shipping services, which offers lower rates for large quantities.
Type Of Transport
Due to its location between Europe, the Atlantic, and Africa, the Port of Lisbon, Portugal's third-largest, is the most heavily used port. Freight transportation is also done by air. Lisbon Airport is one of Portugal's busiest airports. The extensive roadways that connect towns are the most common mode of inland freight movement. Use air freight if you need your items to get to Portugal quickly. Sea freight, on the other hand, is the most cost-effective option.
Distance Of The Journey
How far do we have to travel until we reach Portugal with your shipment? Both transportation costs and transit times are affected by this factor. The more the charges the further they travel. You should also think about how far it is from your home or workplace to the terminal. To move your stuff you will need to hire a truck service which will cost you money. You can hire our neighborhood rigs for a fee.
The Destination Port
Taxes and tariffs are imposed on international shipping based on the country's commodities code and description system. People will have to pay a 40% VAT and duty charges (20% average) on entry, as well as Portuguese customs clearance fees, to bring anything into Portugal.
Important Delivery Routes
Unlike the majority of countries, Portugal doesn't have one significant port that dominates everything else. Instead, most of the inbound freight is shared between three similar-sized ports. There's the Port of Leixões in the north, the Port of Lisbon in the middle, and the Port of Sines in the south. Aveiro and Setúbal are also pretty major ports, but it's highly likely your belongings will certainly likely be one of the primary 3. From there, your container will certainly be taken by truck or train to anywhere you're relocating to. Portugal has been operating world-class ports for centuries, so your products will be in extremely safe as well as professional hands.
Customs
You must fulfill all the personalized needs when shipping your valuables to Portugal. You'd hate to have your move fail at the final obstacle. Make certain you create a stock of whatever you're bringing into the nation, stating the contents of every box and also being as specific as possible. Your container might be subject to random examination as well and you require your inventory to match up with what the officials discover inside.
Average Crate Transit Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets, and anything that will require a full container shipping to Portugal of up to 45,000 lbs.
| Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $740 |
| 40 ft Container | $855 |
LCL shipping is a more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Portugal.
| Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $66/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $575 |
| Household Goods | $690 |
International house moving to Portugal services - quick, easy and cheap.
| International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $640 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1472 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $2475 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $3175 |
International auto transport services to Portugal via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, boats, RV's, heavy equipment, and more.
| Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan via RORO | $1160 |
| SUV via RORO | $1230 |
| Sedan (Container) | $1545 |
| SUV (Container) | $1650 |
Which Size Of Hauling Unit Works Best For Me?
Container sizes vary and are determined by the needs and specifications of the customer. For household and relocation shipping, general-use containers in the sizes of 20ft and 40ft are often used.
How Big Is A 20ft Unit?
Up to 25000kg of goods can be transported in a 20-foot unit. It will be able to transport an automobile, but there will be limited space for additional items. If you have a lot of stuff, the 40ft container is a good option.
How Big Is A 40ft Unit?
A 40-foot unit is twice as large as a 20-foot container. Because of the greater room, it provides more space for your items and is easy to load.
The Difference Between FCL and LCL
Full Container Load and Less Than Container Load are abbreviations for Full Unit Load and Less Than Container Load, respectively. When transporting your merchandise, a complete unit load gives you the privacy of a full container. Less than a unit load allows you to share the unit with other people who have smaller quantities of goods.
Dispatching Household Goods To The Area
The best way to ship household goods to Portugal is to hire professional movers like Three Movers. Once you hire us, we’ll make sure all of your belongings get transferred without any damage at the lowest possible price. You don’t have to worry about taking units to the port, loading, unloading, etc. when you hire us. We will also make sure your goods are arranged inside the container so that space inside the unit is not misused.
To ship household goods to Portugal, you have to see the cost per cubic meter. That’s because you’ll not have the exact amount of goods to fill up a container. As mentioned above, the average cost per cubic meter when shipping your stuff is $66. However, various factors can affect this cost. For example, if you’re moving specialty items that you cannot move in a normal unit and need custom containers, the cost will be higher. If you are hiring an unreliable moving company that can create unnecessary troubles for you, the cost will be less.
When moving items like furniture, you may need professional packing services to make sure there is no damage when transporting the goods. Additional services like this will increase the cost of shipping household goods to Portugal.
Additional Relocating Charges
Some additional shipping costs you might incur include:
- Customs duties
- General Rate Increase (GRI)
- Container inspection fees
- Inland delivery charges
- Quarantine fees
- Insurance cover
What's Next?
To figure out how much your shipment will cost, you'll need to get a quote. Simply fill out our web form or contact us at (888) 202-0036 to obtain it for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most ocean shipments to Portugal fall between $2,100–$6,800 for a 20 ft container and $3,500–$9,200 for a 40 ft unit from major North American or European origins. Pricing varies with distance, fuel adjustments, season, carrier availability, and whether you book FCL or LCL space. Port handling, customs processing, and delivery to Lisbon, Porto, or inland regions can increase the total. A moving cost calculator helps estimate lane-specific charges.
Rates are shaped by the container size, weight, commodity type, sailing frequency, and whether the freight needs special handling. Costs also increase when ports face congestion, peak-season demand, or limited vessel space. Final delivery fees depend on the distance from Portuguese ports and required unloading support. For full-service help, review the international moving costs guide.
A 20 ft container is typically more economical for households up to a 2-bedroom volume, while 40 ft units become cost-efficient when larger volumes exceed 1,000–1,200 cubic feet. Beyond the base ocean rate, buyers should compare per-cubic-foot value, drayage fees, and any special loading constraints at origin or destination. Weather and peak-season sailings may also impact the rate difference.
Transit times range from 12–25 days from North America and 5–12 days from most European origins. Timelines shift with carrier schedules, port traffic, and customs queue times. Deliveries to mainland Portugal are faster than those routed to island regions like Madeira or the Azores. Local trucking adds 1–3 days depending on distance from the major ports.
Typical add-ons include terminal handling charges, customs inspection fees, documentation, and optional cargo insurance. Deliveries outside port cities may have drayage, toll, or long-carry charges. Import duties and VAT apply to new goods, while used household items may qualify for exemptions when properly documented. A detailed quote from an international moving service outlines these items clearly.
Yes. Most carriers provide real-time vessel tracking, showing departure, transshipment points, and expected arrival. Tracking accuracy depends on satellite updates and port reporting frequency. It is useful for planning delivery windows, arranging labor, and confirming customs clearance timing. You will typically receive a booking or bill-of-lading reference number to monitor progress.
