Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Feb, 26 2026
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Container To Sao Tome and Principe?
Sao Tome and Principe Container Shipping Cost
If you need to ship a container to São Tomé and Príncipe, or practically anywhere else in the world, Three Movers is the company you need. We will help you navigate the complicated processes involved in international shipments. We can take care of the documentation, transport, loading of goods, and everything you need for a successful shipping project.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Shipping to São Tomé and Príncipe
When shipping a container to another country, you’ll need to consider the following:
● The volume or weight of the items to be shipped: Which of these is more important will depend on whether you ship by air or sea shipping services. Sea shipments care more about volume, while air shipments are focused on weight.
● The type of transportation used: Transportation of cargo by air is faster, but the cost will be higher in comparison to shipping by sea. A third option is land freight transportation (truck or train)
● Distance: Distance is an unavoidable factor. A higher distance between the two locations means more fuel costs.
● The destination port: The destination port affects the cost of shipping cargo because sea ports fees can vary. The main shipping port of São Tomé and Príncipe is the Port Sao Tome.
● The peak period for shipping items to São Tomé and Príncipe is between August and October. Shipping during this period affects ocean freight shipping rates and the cost of shipping generally
Which Size of Shipping Container Works Best for Me?
There are around 16 different options for cargo shipping. However, most people will choose between a 20ft or 40ft container. The contents of a three-bedroom house can fit into a 20ft shipping container. Another way to visualize this is that it can fit around 100 washing machines. For anything bigger, go with a 40ft option.
Furthermore, you’ll have to choose between two types of load modes. If you are using the full size of the container, as most customers do, you’ll go with a Full Container Load option (FCL). Alternatively, if you don’t need the full size of the container you can opt for the Less Than Container Load option (LCL). In this mode, the container size is shared by multiple customers which can help reduce the costs.
Instant Rates For Shipping Containers To Sao Tome and Principe
Average Container Shipping Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full container shipping to Sao Tome and Principe of up to 45,000lbs.
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $1445 |
| 40 ft Container | $1660 |
LCL shipping is more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Sao Tome and Principe.
Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $70/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $745 |
| Household Goods | $845 |
International house moving to Sao Tome and Principe services - quick, easy and cheap.
International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $500 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1613 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $2415 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $3415 |
International auto transport services to Sao Tome and Principe via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suvs, atv's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment and more.
Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $1060 |
| SUV (Container) | $1130 |
| Sedan via RORO | $1785 |
| SUV via RORO | $1860 |
Understanding the Different Types of Freight Transportation
São Tomé and Príncipe only has access to two forms of freight transportation. You can opt to ship by sea or air. The one to select will depend on what is more important to you: time or cost.
If time is of the essence and the total price isn’t your biggest concern, opt for air freight transportation. This method is significantly faster, but around 5 times more expensive than shipping by sea.
Sea freight transportation might be slower, but it has less of a concern with weight. You can carry heavy items without much worry, but their total volume will factor into the price. One drawback of this option is the duration, as it takes significantly longer than shipping via cargo plane.
Additional Shipping Costs
There are usually additional shipping costs when shipping a container anywhere. The ones to expect are:
● Insurance: Insuring your cargo is of the essence when it comes to international shipments. Insurance is rated based on the total value of your items, not the quantity or weight.
● Custom fees: São Tomé and Príncipe has different customs categories for items. There’s a 5% import tariff for the first category (e.g., basic products), 10% for the second one (e.g., raw materials), and 20% for the third category (e.g., most foods and cosmetics).
● Inspection: You might be charged for inspection of the shipped items. This will add to the overall cost.
● General Rate Increase (GRI): This is an adjustment of freight rates across specific trade routes. If the demand for shipping on a route increases, shipping costs might also increase.
● Delivery Times: The delivery times can add to shipping costs. If a client requires express shipping, it will cost extra.
What’s Next?
Now that you know the basics of container shipping the next step is contacting Three Movers for a free quote. You can fill the web form or call us at (888) 202-0036.
Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation
Frequently Asked Questions
You must provide a Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list, customs declaration, and certificate of origin when shipping a container to São Tomé and Príncipe. If shipping household goods, a passport copy and residence permit may be required. Duties are assessed using the CIF method based on cargo value, freight, and insurance. Incomplete paperwork can delay clearance at the Port of São Tomé for 1 to 3 weeks. Documentation rules vary by cargo type and origin country.
A Bill of Lading is a legal transport contract and cargo receipt issued by the ocean carrier. It confirms the shipment’s type, weight, destination, and consignee details. Without it, cargo cannot be released at the destination port. For international container moves, the Bill of Lading also supports customs valuation under CIF rules. Accurate details prevent port holds and demurrage fees. It is one of the most critical documents in overseas freight shipping.
If the original Bill of Lading is lost, cargo release becomes more complex but not impossible. Carriers may require a letter of indemnity, bank guarantee, shipper affidavit, and court validation before authorizing delivery. This process can add several days to multiple weeks depending on port procedures. Electronic or telex releases may be possible if arranged before vessel arrival. Clear coordination with your freight provider reduces storage and demurrage risk.
Shipping a container to São Tomé and Príncipe typically ranges from $3,000 to $7,500 depending on origin port, container size, and seasonal fuel rates. A 20 foot container costs less than a 40 foot container but holds fewer household goods. Final pricing reflects distance, port congestion, customs duties, cargo volume, and insurance coverage. Door to port service differs from door to door international relocation. See current international moving costs for broader pricing benchmarks.
Prohibited goods generally include firearms, explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, and counterfeit goods. Restricted items such as alcohol, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and agricultural products may require special permits. Used household goods are commonly allowed but subject to inspection. Regulations can change, and enforcement occurs at the Port of São Tomé. Non compliant cargo may face seizure or fines. Accurate cargo declarations reduce inspection delays and unexpected duties.
Ocean freight transit to São Tomé and Príncipe typically takes 4 to 8 weeks depending on departure continent and transshipment routing. There are limited direct sailings, so many containers move through European or West African hub ports. Customs clearance may add 1 to 3 weeks depending on documentation accuracy and inspection requirements. Weather patterns in the Gulf of Guinea and port congestion can extend schedules. Plan delivery windows conservatively for international relocations.
A standard 20 foot container holds about 33 cubic meters with a maximum gross weight near 52,900 pounds, while a 40 foot container holds about 67 cubic meters with similar gross weight limits. Actual loading capacity depends on cargo density and carrier restrictions. Overweight containers may be refused at port or incur surcharges. Choosing the correct size reduces wasted space and freight costs. Compare options with experienced global moving services before booking.
