Cost Of Shipping A Container To Zambia
Published by Chris Townsend
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
There are many different types of shipping containers, but the two most common are listed below. The 20-foot and 40-foot containers are the ones we’re talking about. Each of them has a weight limit that they are not permitted to exceed.
A 20-foot container with a volume of 33.2 cubic meters normally has a tare weight of roughly 2,170kg. It has a gross weight of around 67,200 pounds.
The tare weight of a 40 ft container with a volume of 67.7 cubic meters, on the other hand, is typically around 3,750kg. Despite this, it has a gross weight of 67,200 pounds, which is equivalent to a 20-foot container. As a result, choose a container that is capable of supporting the weight of your goods.
When transporting your cargo, the bill of lading is a crucial document to have. It is a mandatory document for shipping to Zambia since it contains important information about the products that are being transported. It essentially lists the items you’re sending and where they’ll be delivered. It also functions as a receipt after your shipment is delivered.
To begin with, misplacing your bill of lading is a huge mistake because transporting your goods without it is incredibly unpleasant. This is because you won’t be able to obtain another until the original is found and retrieved. If you can’t find or obtain the BOL, there are a few things you may do to assure a smooth transit. A shipping letter, a court order, an indemnification letter, a bank guarantee, a business invoice, or a packing list are all documents that you should have ready.
Before you decide to have your container delivered to your home, make sure the vehicle can hold or accommodate your container. Because a 20ft container is around 8′ wide, you’ll need a truck with a minimum width of 10′. A 40-foot container requires double the breadth of a 20-foot container.
Yes is the basic answer. Three Movers is highly sensitive about the problems of our clients. We’ve devised a tracking system that allows you to keep track of your cargo’s progress and movement. You’ll also be able to see where your cargo is at any given time. However, you must supply us with information such as the container number, bill of lading number, and booking number in order to trace your shipment. This would make it easier to keep track of your container.
Yes, weatherproof shipping containers are available. Despite this, the majority of shipping containers are watertight. We also use well-ventilated shipping containers. This feature is made possible by the presence of vents on the upper portions of our containers’ sidewalls. As a result, keeping the containers clean and free of moisture and dirt when they’re exposed to wet or harsh settings will help them last longer.
To clear goods with customs, commercial documentation such as a bill of lading, airway bill, and commercial invoice are necessary. There is no charge for the Import Declaration Form, which is used for statistical purposes.
At border crossings, the ZRA form CE 20, the standard form for entry and exit, is utilized for clearance. Certifications are also required to import plants and seeds, food and drugs, firearms and ammunition, gemstones, etc.
Here are some of the duties and taxes required during shipment to Zambia:
Customs Duty
This is money levied on all goods entering Zambia. Customs duty rates range between 0 and 40%.
Import Value Added Tax
This is a value-added tax (VAT) charged on all imported goods according to the applicable domestic rate i.e., standard rate of 16%, zero, or exempt.
Excise Duty
This tax is levied on selected goods in Zambia which either have externalities or are of a luxurious nature. These include alcoholic beverages, tobacco, selected motor vehicles, cosmetics, etc.
Export Duty
Export duty is charged on a few selected items. These include scrap metal, Copper concentrates, maize, timber, mineral ores, etc.
Other fees collected are:
• Motor vehicle registration fee;
• License fees;
• Warehouse rentals;
• Carbon Emissions Surtax (based on engine capacity).
Depending on the approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the clearing process can take anywhere from 3 to 5 days.
