Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Feb, 25 2026
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Container To United States of America?
United States of America Container freight Charge
Price of Shipping A Container
Three Movers, a reputable international moving company that provides effective container-moving services to the United States. Indeed, transporting to any foreign country, especially the America, can be a difficult undertaking for newcomers. As a result, we've put up a useful resource that will help anyone interested in shipping a container to the United States understand how the cost of doing so is calculated.
Three Movers foreign Shifting Company is one of the top-rated aboard transporting companies, offering full container load and relocating services. We have been in business for years, serving hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers from all over the world including Australia, North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Our mission is to serve our clients with international logistics solutions that are both cost-effective and time-efficient.
Factors That Affect The Delivery Charges
The price of transporting containers to the United States is influenced by several factors, but five stand out. You must be aware of them before delivering your items because of their relevance. Aspects to consider include the volume or weight of shipments, the mode of transportation, the distance the shipment will travel, the destination port, and the time of year.
The type of transition to use is determined by the volume or weight of the cargo. Overseas Container Hauling rates differs depending on whether you ship by air or by water. You can pick between the pricey but quick alternative (air transport) and the slower but less expensive one (Ocean freight).
In every country's destination port, customs taxes and service expenditures are unavoidable, but they varied from one to the next. Each country determines the amount of customs and taxes you must pay. The import tax on shipment in the United States will be 10% of the whole value of your items. For example, if the declared value of your shipment is 900 USD, an additional 90.00 USD in taxes must be paid to the destination country's government in order for the recipient to get a parcel.
The price will also be decided by the time of year when the shipment takes place. During the peak season, which spans from August through October, shipping companies and retailers are busiest.
Which Size of Transporting Container Is Best for Me?
For international shipping of commodities, there are two types of relocating typically utilized. These are the 20-foot and 40-foot containers. Normally, a 20-foot container can carry 100 washers and dryers. The 40-foot container can accommodate 200 residential washing machines, which is twice the quantity.
The size of your items will determine which container you use. A fascinating truth regarding relocation sizes is that the 40-foot container does not always cost twice as much as the 20-foot container.
Instant Rates For Shipping Containers To United States of America
Understanding the Different Types of Freight Transportation
Freight transition is provided by a number of different networks. Trucks transport is the most used shifting transferring option in the United States (60 percent), followed by pipelines (18 percent), rail (10 percent), ship (8 percent), and air (0.01 percent ). The rest are made up of other means of relocating such as parcels and intermodal supplies, which accounted for around 3% of the total.
You should choose a transporters solution based on delivery time and price. Air load is the most cost-effective way to deliver goods rapidly, but it is more expensive than sea cargo. Sea transfers is less expensive, but it is frequently slow. You can save up to 80% of the money you would have spent on air shipment by using the sea freight method of transportation.
Additional Shipment Charges
Aside from the main elements that determine the cost of delivering products to the America, you may have to pay for additional expenses, such as:
- Custom duties
- Container inspection fees
- General Rate Increase
- Inland delivery charges
- Quarantine fees
- Insurance fees
What Is the Next Step?
You need a quote to get your shipping plan started now that you know how the charge of deliver a container to the United States is calculated. We'll provide you with a free, precise quote. Simply complete our online form or call us at (888) 202-0036.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping a container to the United States requires a Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and customs entry filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Imports over 2,500 dollars require formal entry and a customs bond. Regulated goods may need FDA, USDA, or EPA clearance. Accuracy in cargo description, declared value, and Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes reduces inspection risk and port delays.
The Bill of Lading is the legal contract between shipper and carrier and acts as the cargo release document. U.S. ports will not release a container without it. It confirms container number, seal number, freight terms, and routing. Errors can trigger holds, storage fees, or delivery delays. Whether shipping personal goods or commercial freight, this document directly controls inland transport scheduling and final delivery.
The cost of shipping a container to the United States typically ranges from 1,800 to 5,500 dollars for a 20 foot container and 3,000 to 8,000 dollars for a 40 foot container, depending on origin country and season. Port congestion, fuel rates, and demand cycles influence pricing. Inland trucking, customs bonds, terminal handling charges, and insurance increase the final total. For broader pricing factors, review international moving costs at international moving costs.
Customs clearance usually takes 24 to 72 hours after vessel arrival when documentation is complete. Delays occur if inspections are ordered, duties are unpaid, or partner agencies such as FDA require review. Agricultural shipments and high-value commercial cargo face higher inspection probability. Clearance speed depends on port traffic, container size, declared value, and accuracy of submitted filings.
Prohibited items include counterfeit goods, illegal drugs, forced labor products, certain wildlife materials, and hazardous cargo without authorization. Restricted goods such as alcohol, food, medical devices, vehicles, and electronics may require federal permits. U.S. Customs may inspect containers with vague descriptions or high-risk classifications. Product type, origin country, shipment value, and compliance documentation determine clearance approval.
Yes. Many shippers compare rates using a container shipping cost calculator before booking. Estimates consider container size, origin port, destination port, freight method, fuel surcharges, and seasonal demand. Additional expenses include inland delivery, customs bonds, insurance, and port storage if delays occur. For structured planning tools, see the moving cost estimator at moving cost estimator.
