Cost Of Shipping A Container To Tonga
Published by Chris Townsend
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Container To Tonga?
Getting to know the total cost of shipping a container to Tonga can be a little bit complicated, and this is a result of some factors which normally affect the relocating cost; thereby creating variations in international shipping rates.
This is going to serve as a guide for you to know all the necessary information regarding the factors that affect the cost of hauling.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Shipping
Here, we are going to state and analyze all the factors that affect the cost of moving. You can also use our online freight calculator to check the cost for international shipment and international freight for our moving services. Below are those factors and their analysis:
The Volume/Weight of the Goods
This is a crucial consideration because it dictates the type of moving goods you will employ which in turn affects the cost of delivering your items. When shifting via air for instance the primary worry is with the cargo weight while hauling via sea the primary issue is with the cargo dimensions.
The Distance of the Journey
The total distance taken to complete your move will have an impact on the costs. This is because a long-distance move typically costs much more than a short-distance move.
Type of Transport
The transportation mode you select will also impact the costs and time it will take to ship your goods from one location to the other. For example, using air freight is a lot faster and more expensive than using sea freight.
The Destination Port
The customs duties of the destination port also affect the cost of shipping. The customs tariffs are calculated based on the CIF (cost, insurance, and freight) of your goods.
The Time of the Year
The peak period for moving is between July and August, so it's best you avoid those months when shipping so that you may get a good deal.
Average Shipping Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full container of up to 45,000lbs.
Full Container Load (FCL) Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $940 |
| 40 ft Container | $1230 |
LCL shipping is more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments.
Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $56/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $520 |
| Household Goods | $665 |
International house moving to Tonga services - quick, easy and cheap.
International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $710 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1460 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $2265 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $3005 |
International auto transport services via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suv, atv's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment and more.
Container Car Hauling | |
|---|---|
| Sedan via RORO | $795 |
| SUV via RORO | $855 |
| Sedan (Container) | $940 |
| SUV (Container) | $1160 |
Which Size of Container is Suitable for Me?
There are two particular types of containers that are normally used for shipping, and they are the 20ft and 40ft. although, there are also high cube for moving lots of goods.
How Big is a 20ft Container?
A 20ft is a container whose interior is 19.4ft long, 7.9ft wide, and 7.10ft high. It's roughly the size of a garage and it can easily hold the content of 2-3 bedrooms.
How Big is a 40ft Container?
A 40ft is a container whose interior is 39.5ft long, 7.9ft wide, and 7.9ft high. As the name implies, it's twice the size of a 20ft ; however, it doesn't cost twice as much.
The Difference Between FCL and LCL
A "Full Container Load" (FCL) is a scenario whereby a customer uses an entire container for his shipment while a "Less Than Container Load" (LCL) involves having individuals with a smaller volume of goods sharing.
Understanding the Different Types of Transportation
Sea Freight
Tonga has three harbors and a marine fleet of 7 ships, which contains two cargo ships (of over 1000 gt). It is the most ideal means to ship items into the country.
Air Freight
This is another logical means of shipping your goods into Tonga. The country has 6 airports with just one having paved runways.
Truck Freight
Although the country has about 680km of highways, only the roads in its capital city are in good condition. Nevertheless, it is the only means of transporting your goods via land in the country.
Train Freight
Tonga has no railway network.
Additional Costs
Tonga has other shipping charges allocated to imported goods aside from the VAT. These are:
- Customs duties
- General Rate Increase (GRI)
- Quarantine fees
- Container inspection fees
- Inland delivery charges
- Insurance cover
What's Next?
Your next line of action is to use the services of Three Movers whenever you are shipping. Kindly fill our web form and get a free quote in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping internationally requires a lot of documentation, which can be time-consuming. That’s why Three Movers is here to guide you. Below is a list of documents necessary upon entering Tonga.
● Commercial Invoice
● Battery Statement
● Tax Documents and Shipping Labels
A Bill of Lading is a collection of trade goods’ records accepted on board. It binds a written contract between a client and a transport company.
If you lost the original Bill of Lading, the client wouldn’t get a duplicate unless the original document can be shown. You will be required to submit requirements to obtain another copy, such as a court order, letter from the shipper, bank guarantee, a commercial invoice and packing list, and a letter of indemnity.
To avoid problems, extra charges, and penalties, you should stay away from shipping to Tonga the following commodities:
● Perishable food products
● Live animals, plants, and seeds
● Any medicines and drugs
● Dangerous and Hazardous Goods are restricted and subject to approval and special procedures
● Aerosols
● Liquids
● Cash, Money orders, credit and debit cards
● Passports and other confidential documents
● Valuable jewelry, art, and antique
● To simplify, avoid sending to Tonga items considered dangerous or prohibited with regular parcel service at your local USPS office.
● If you pack in used boxes, erase all former shipping labels and marks, especially related to dangerous goods or hazardous materials.
● If you are not positive that some of your goods are legal for freight shipping to Tonga, do not put your entire shipment at risk. Leave it.
The liability for customs and excise duty arises:
● in respect of imported goods – when they are imported;
● in respect of exported goods – when they are accepted at the place of export for loading onto an aircraft or ship for export from the Kingdom of Tonga
● in care of goods made in Tonga – when the production, distillation, or manufacturing process is complete
● An excise declaration on a Customs form C must be lodged with the proper officer for authorization before any excisable goods being delivered into home consumption within Tonga.
For more information regarding the taxes, fees, and duties upon shipping a container to Tonga, please read here.
Before shipping a container to Tonga, you must first study the difference between taxes, tariffs, and duties.
● Customs duties are dependent on product information, while tariffs are fees incurred to products from countries for specific times. Lastly, tax rates are calculated on the absolute value of the goods imported into the country.
● Tariffs are fees imposed by a government for categories of products at specific times.
● In terms of implementation, VAT and GST are indistinguishable, but each is applied to various products based on the country importing into.
Before delivering a container to Tonga, you must consider a few factors. You have to know in advance some vital information about the following:
● Delivery fees
● Permitting requirements
● Ground conditions
● Clearance space
20-ft containers require a straight clearance of 75 feet, while 40-ft containers need a hundred. For its respective width, you will need a minimum of 12 feet of width clearance and 20 feet of overhead clearance.
It depends on how many shipments have arrived around that time frame, where your container is seated (the closer to the exit door, the better), and whether you hold a foreign or Tongan passport. Whenever I go to Tonga, barely anyone stands in the unfamiliar lane. If you do land and find it’s very crowded, go up to any of the workers and tell them you have a connecting flight to get to.
In some cases, containers either get lost, destroyed, or even stolen. To make the company pay for such commotion, purchase insurance beforehand. To avoid paying for miscellaneous expenses, ensure that you always have your Bill of Lading with you to save the container against inevitable losses.
