Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Jan, 05 2026
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Container To Switzerland?
Switzerland Container Shipping Cost
Do you know Three Movers ships items to Switzerland? Well, we do. Some things need to be considered when looking at the price of hauling. For a start, the distance the delivery has to travel and its size has to be considered. There is more, and we will help you understand what it all involves.
Factors That Affect the Price Of Transit The Area
The things that will affect the cost of shipping are:
- The volume and weight of the items to be hauled: The heavier or bigger the item is, the higher the price will be. Note that when packing up what you want to transit.
- The type of transportation used: The use of air, sea, or land will affect the expense of hauling.
- Distance: The farther the distance the cargo is going to travel, the higher the price.
- The destination port: Ports sometimes have different fees which can affect the cost of hauling, but the difference might not be significant.
- Peak Shipping Season: The peak hauling season in Switzerland is between July and September. The peak period delivery can continue into November or begin as early as April depending on the year. If you ship during this period, your hauling rates will be higher than at other times of the year.
Which Size Of Delivery Unit Works Best For Me?
You are looking at the items you want to ship and you don’t know what shipping container will contain it all. Do you rent the whole ship? You don’t need to do something that drastic. Items from a three-bedroom flat will fit into a 20ft unit. That should help you gauge your cargo. If your items are more than that, then get a 40-foot container.
If you will need a unit for yourself then you will be using the Full Container Load (FCL) loading system.
What if your cargo isn’t plenty enough to fill a unit? You will, in that case, need a Less Than Container Load (LCL) loading system. Your item will be loaded into a unit with other clients’ items.
Instant Rates For Shipping Containers To Switzerland
Average Hauling Pricing Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets, and anything that will require a full container hauling to Switzerland of up to 45,000 lbs.
| Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Unit | $855 |
| 40 ft Container | $1040 |
LCL shipping is a more affordable way to transport less than a unit load delivery to the area.
| Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $70/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $740 |
| Household Goods | $855 |
International house moving to Switzerland services - quick, easy, and cheap.
| International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $695 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1665 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $2866 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $3856 |
International auto transport services to the area via RoRo and container ships. Move cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, boats, RV's, heavy equipment, and more.
| Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan via RORO | $855 |
| SUV via RORO | $940 |
| Sedan | $1230 |
| SUV (Container) | $1460 |
Understanding The Different Types Of Freight Transportation
Freight transportation of your items can be done in four main ways. There are the:
- Land Transportation: This is particularly important in transporting items to the area as it is landlocked. Even if you pick transportation by sea, your items will be taken from the port of a neighboring country to the destination by land or rail.
- Rail: This is another particularly important means of transportation for the destination country. Switzerland has a very organized rail system. If you are shipping a lot of items from a neighboring country, transportation of freight by train is a good option as it is cost-effective.
- Sea: This is useful for large-volume items coming from distant countries. Items like household goods and cars are good candidates for Ocean freight transportation. Remember that the destination country is landlocked, therefore, making land transportation mandatory as a secondary means of transportation.
- Air Transportation: Air freight transportation can be the most convenient means of transporting items. Due to this fact, it is suited for transporting fragile or time-sensitive items like vaccines and small electronics. Note that the convenience comes at added expenses.
Additional Dispatching Expense
Speaking of added costs, there are expenses that a shipping company has no control over and they are:
- Insurance for your items.
- Custom fees. The area has an average import tax of 6.3%.
- Inspection. Switzerland generally doesn’t have inspection fees.
- General Rate Increase (GRI). If the delivery route is in high demand, shipping rates will increase.
- Desired delivery time. The quicker you want the item to arrive, the higher the cost.
What’s Next?
Three Movers is the way to get the items you are interested in shipping to the destination. So, give us a call at (888) 202-0036 and get a free quote. You can also fill out an online form for the same quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of shipping a container to Switzerland typically ranges from 2,800–5,200 USD for a 20ft container and 4,200–8,500 USD for a 40ft container. Pricing reflects container size, origin port, FCL vs LCL, fuel surcharges, customs clearance, inland delivery, and seasonal demand. U.S. East Coast routes are usually cheaper than West Coast routes. For broader benchmarks, see international moving costs.
Container shipping rates are driven by container size (20ft or 40ft), full container load vs less than container load, distance to the Swiss entry port, fuel prices, port congestion, and time of year. Inland transport within Switzerland and customs handling also add cost. Summer peak season and pre-holiday windows often raise rates compared to off-season winter shipping.
FCL is usually cheaper per unit when shipping enough goods to fill most of a container. LCL costs less upfront but includes consolidation, handling, and deconsolidation fees that raise the per-cubic-meter rate. FCL shipments move directly port-to-port, while LCL shipments make multiple stops, increasing transit time and risk. For household moves, FCL is often more predictable. Learn more about moving overseas shipping costs.
Transit time to Switzerland typically runs 18–30 days from the U.S. East Coast and 28–40 days from the West Coast. FCL shipments move faster than LCL because they avoid consolidation stops. Final delivery depends on customs clearance, inland trucking or rail schedules, and port congestion at European entry hubs such as Rotterdam or Antwerp.
You generally need a bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, import declaration, and valid ID. Household goods may require proof of residence change and inventory details. Special items like batteries, alcohol, or vehicles need additional permits. Missing or inaccurate paperwork is the most common cause of customs delays for Swiss-bound shipments.
Switzerland is not part of the EU, but it applies import VAT (typically 7.7 percent) and customs duties based on item type and declared value. Personal household goods may qualify for duty relief if residency requirements are met. Charges are calculated before release, so budgeting for taxes is essential when estimating total container shipping rates.
Switzerland restricts or prohibits weapons, explosives, narcotics, counterfeit goods, certain food items, plants, animals, and tobacco. Some categories require advance permits or inspections. Prohibited cargo can be seized or destroyed at the port, leading to fines and delays. Always verify restrictions before loading your container to avoid loss.
Insurance is strongly recommended, even though it is not mandatory. Ocean carriers offer limited liability that rarely covers full replacement value. Cargo insurance protects against loss, damage, theft, and delay-related claims, especially for long transits and high-value household goods. Coverage is typically priced as a small percentage of the declared cargo value.
