Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 11 2025
How Much Does It Cost Of Shipping A Container To Zambia?
A lot of planning, documentation, and logistics are involved if you’re shipping a container to Zambia or anywhere else in the world. It can get stressful especially if you have not experienced this beforehand. Luckily, Three Movers have already done these for such a long time giving them more than enough experience, knowledge, and expertise when it comes to these types of processes.
We are international relocator that uses top-rated hauling lines to ensure all of your personal items arrive safely in dares salaam, Tanzania. We've shipped over fifty thousand personal containers since we opened our doors. We'll ship anything from a single chair to a houseful of furniture, household goods, and more. You can save money by using our cost effective ocean freight services and air cargo hauling service that are cheap compared to other companies. From cars and pets to international moves, no shipment is too big or small for us. Whether you're shifting full or empty container to anywhere in the world, check out our website today!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Hauling
No matter where you’re planning to ship your container to, there is always a list of factors to consider when dealing with cost. Here it is:
- Distance. This is an obvious element in container service. The farther the destination from your place, the more costly it becomes.
- The type of transportation used. There are two ways to ship your cargo; it is either via sea or air. The air freight option will save you more time but it will be 5x more expensive compared to the air freight option.
- The volume and weight of the items to be shipped. The heavier the items inside the container, the more the cost increases. The same applies to its volume. It also depends on which type of transportation you used.
- The peak period. Zambia’s busiest days are during June all throughout November which is the dry season.
- The destination port. The destination port is also a huge factor in cost. In Zambia, you can find their main port in Port of Lusaka. You also have to keep in mind that this port has some restriction details if you’re importing goods from other locations. Some of which are:
- Meat products require certain certifications from the Veterinary Department
- Plants, Seeds, and Fruits require certifications from Mount Makulu Research Station
- Food and Drugs are restricted by the Ministry of Health and Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority
- Firearms and Ammunition are banned by the Zambia Police
- Gemstones and Scrap Metal Export are restricted by the Ministry of Mines
Which size of hauling container works best for me?
While deciding on a shipping method it is important to consider the container dimensions. Our prior customers often rent either 20-foot or 40-foot containers. Relocating containers come in lengths ranging from 20 to 40 feet. A 20-foot container can hold the belongings of a 3-bedroom home while a 40-foot container may hold twice as much.
A 20ft container is the same size as an average garage which is usually 25-28cbm. While a 40ft container has 54-58cbm of usable space which means that you can comfortably fit a vehicle inside of it and a few items in it, but you won’t if you’re planning to move to your destination permanently.
Now let’s head over to the Average Container Rates available:
- Full Container Load. This is the best option in transporting lots of boxes which can support up to 45,000lbs. A 20ft container’s rate is $2300 while a 40ft container is $3400.
- Less Than Container Load. This is the most affordable option if you want to save more money. An LCL’s rate is $390/CBM, household goods are priced at $3550, and personal effects are priced at $3250.
Average Relocating 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 | $2300 |
| 40 ft Container | $3400 |
LCL is more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments.
Less Than Container (LCL) Hauling Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $390/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $3550 |
| Household Goods | $3250 |
International house moving to Zambia services - quick, easy and cheap.
International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $801 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1807 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $2805 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $3805 |
International auto transport services to Zambia via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suvs, atv's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment and more.
Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan via RORO | $1405 |
| SUV via RORO | $1505 |
| Sedan (Container) | $1904 |
| SUV (Container) | $1990 |
Understanding The Different Types Hauling
There are two common ways to ship your goods to Zambia; either via sea or air.
There is a huge difference between the two options. This is why you have to understand how both works before proceeding into availing of one of these freight services. If you value your time and you are not worried about the possible costs, we suggest choosing air freight. Not only does it transport your goods faster, but it is also more accurate when it comes to your items’ security.
But if you are not running after a deadline, it is advisable to choose the sea freight services. It is 5x less costly than most air freight services.
Additional Costs
Other than the five main costs namely the volume and weight of the items to be shipped, the type of transportation used, the distance of your place to the location you’re shipping to, the destination port, and the city/country’s peak period, you also have to take into consideration additional costs. The ones to expect are:
- Insurance. This talks about the providence of your container’s much-needed cover. Without this, you will be forced to pay more if the cargo faced emergency. It’s better to be prepared than to suffer much loss.
- Custom Fees. In Zambia, custom duty rates range between 0 and 40%. This is Value-Added Tax (VAT) charged on all imported goods. This tax is levied on selected goods.
- Inspection. Some countries require inspection fees.
- General Rate Increase (GRI). If the demand for hauling increases, costs might also increase.
- Delivery Times. If you require expedited shipping just like via air freight transportation, you will be required to pay additional costs because of transit time.
What’s Next?
Now that you are rich with generalized cost knowledge, you may now either fill out our web form or you can call (888) 202-0036.
Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping a full 20-foot container to Zambia commonly ranges $4,200–$7,500, while a 40-foot container can reach $7,800–$12,500. Rates vary by origin port, carrier surcharges, inland trucking to Lusaka or Ndola, and FCL versus shared-container service. Costs also shift with fuel prices, peak-season demand, and routing through Dar es Salaam or Durban. For accurate estimates based on distance and load size, many customers compare quotes through a long distance moving service.
Final pricing depends on container size, total weight, the chosen port (Dar es Salaam, Walvis Bay, Durban), drayage fees, and whether professional packing is required. Cargo type, inland trucking, and inspections can add to cost, along with warehouse or chassis delays in busy seasons. Fragile or multi-piece loads often benefit from a secure packing and unpacking service to reduce damage risk.
Typical timelines run 28–45 days depending on departure port, routing, and port congestion. Inland transport from coastal ports adds 3–7 days. The rainy season can slow road movement, and customs inspections may add extra time. Delivery schedules also vary based on trucking availability, border-post workload, and transshipment stops along the route.
A 20-foot container suits smaller household loads, while a 40-foot or 40-foot high-cube is common for vehicle-plus-cargo shipments or larger commercial loads. The right fit depends on total cubic volume, cargo weight, and any special handling needs such as crating or machinery bracing. Shippers comparing capacity needs often review general moving services guidelines before selecting a size.
Required paperwork typically includes a bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and an Import Declaration Form for statistical entry. ZRA may also request CE20 entry forms and certificates for restricted items such as food, chemicals, plants, or pharmaceuticals. Accurate documentation ensures faster clearance and reduces the likelihood of warehouse storage fees.
Zambia applies 0–40 percent customs duty, depending on item category, along with 16 percent VAT. Excise duty may apply to vehicles, alcohol, tobacco, and other regulated goods. Additional fees can include registration charges, emissions surtax for vehicles, and storage costs if clearance windows are exceeded. Proper tariff classification and complete invoices help prevent reassessment.
Yes. Vehicles can be secured inside 20-foot or 40-foot containers using blocking and bracing. Costs depend on vehicle type, customs valuation, and Zambia’s import rules on age and emissions. Required paperwork often includes proof of ownership, deregistration certificates, and valuation documents. Some vehicles may fall under higher tax brackets or excise duty.
Most carriers offer real-time or milestone-based tracking using container numbers or bill-of-lading references. Tracking includes vessel departures, port arrival, transshipment points, and inland transfer updates. This is helpful on routes prone to congestion or re-routing. For complex moves, shippers often pair carrier tracking with an experienced international moving service to monitor delays proactively.
