Shipping Container to Europe from Canada

40ft Shipping Container to Europe

Shipping a 40ft container is the best option when moving a large household, a vehicle, or large personal belongings to Europe. It works well as an option for sea freight and will take around 6-10 weeks to ship. Below you can see the 40ft container capacity:

A 40ft container typically holds:

• Household items for a 3-5 bedroom house
• A car plus household goods
• Around 60-70 cubic meters of cargo
• 22-27 standard pallets
• 26,500 kg of weight

20ft Shipping Container to Europe

Shipping a 20ft container is a great option for moving household goods, small vehicles, or personal belongings to Europe. Similar to a 40ft container the best way of shipping is via sea freight and takes around 6-10 weeks. Below you can see the 20ft container capacity:

A 20ft container typically holds:

• Contents of a 1-3 bedroom home
• About 30-35 cubic meters of cargo
• 8-10 standard pallets
• A small car + a few household goods

How to Pack a Shipping Container With Household Goods?

• Choose the right container size:
  • 20ft container for 1-3 bedroom house
  • 40ft container for 3-5 bedroom house
• Gather packing supplies: Get the necessary packing items like tape, furniture padding, moving boxes, bubble wrap, pallets, and furniture blankets.
• Disassemble large items: Make sure to disassemble all large items like beds, couches, and tables to make them much easier to pack and transport.
• Pack items strategically: packing your items properly can help ensure their safety. Place the heavy items in the bottom, and light items on top, and make sure to stuff any holes to avoid the furniture and items moving inside the container.
• Protect and seal the container: Cover the container with a tarp, make sure to take images inside and outside for documentation, and seal the container tightly before transport.

Extra Tips for Packing:

✔ Label everything clearly  for easier unpacking
✔ Leave a walkway if possible for easier unloading
✔ Check customs regulations for banned items

Cost of Shipping a Container From Canada to Europe

Cost estimates for a 1 bedroom flat:

*Disclaimer: These costs are estimates for a one-bedroom flat and can change based on many factors

What Affects the Container Shipping Rates

• Size of the container: choosing a 20ft container will generally be cheaper than choosing a 40ft container.
• Destination: Generally, the further the distance the more expensive container shipping will be. There are exceptions based on the popularity of the route.
• Volume of container: Choosing a full container versus less than a full container will impact the cost. In the latter, you only pay for the space you use.
• Season: As always, shipping in peak season tends to be more expensive.
• Freight option: You can choose between sea and air freight for container shipping to Europe, but air freight will always be more expensive.

Get Up To Five Free Moving Quotes

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FCL vs LCL | Shipping to Europe

You can choose between Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Than Container Load (LCL) based on the amount of goods you want to ship to Europe. There is a price difference between the two choices. Both also have their pros and cons.

• Choose LCL if you’re moving a few boxes, a small apartment’s worth of items, or just essentials.
• Choose FCL if you’re moving an entire household, have large furniture, or want your shipment to be more secure and faster.

Pros and Cons of FLC & LCL

Air Freight to Europe

Air freight is known for the speed with which your goods are delivered, but it also comes with a hefty price tag and some cons. It’s best suited to shipping valuables or small fragile items.

Choose Air Freight if:
✔ You need your items ASAP.
✔ You have a small shipment (like a few suitcases or boxes).
✔ You’re shipping fragile or valuable items that need extra security.

Sea Freight to Europe

Sea freight is the best option when sending heavy and bulky items like furniture to Europe. It’s much more affordable than air freight and it can carry a larger volume. The downside of sea freight is that the deliveries are often lengthy so it’s not a good option for urgent needs.

Choose Sea Freight if:
✔ You’re moving a household worth of goods.
✔ You’re on a budget and can wait several weeks.
✔ You have large or heavy items like furniture and appliances.

Air Freight vs Sea Freight