Sea Freight (LCL – Shared Container)
Sea Freight (FCL – Full 20ft Container)
Air Freight (Fastest)
Neighboring Country (Land/Short Sea)
Transoceanic (e.g., UK to USA)
Global Long-Haul (e.g., Europe to Australia)
Additional Services
Estimated Moving Quotation
Freight & Transport:$0.00
Packing & Labor:$0.00
Insurance (2.5% of value):$0.00
Total Estimated Cost:$0.00
*This is a rough estimate. Final rates depend on seasonal demand, fuel surcharges, and specific port fees.
function calculateMovingRate() {
var volume = parseFloat(document.getElementById('movingVolume').value);
var transport = document.getElementById('transportMethod').value;
var distanceMult = parseFloat(document.getElementById('movingDistance').value);
var value = parseFloat(document.getElementById('goodsValue').value);
var packing = document.getElementById('packingService').checked;
var customs = document.getElementById('customsClearance').checked;
if (isNaN(volume) || volume <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid volume.");
return;
}
var baseRatePerCBM = 0;
var fixedFee = 0;
if (transport === "sea_lcl") {
baseRatePerCBM = 180;
fixedFee = 450;
} else if (transport === "sea_fcl") {
// FCL is usually a flat rate for a container (20ft = 33 CBM max)
// We simplify this for the calculator
baseRatePerCBM = 140;
fixedFee = 1200;
} else if (transport === "air") {
baseRatePerCBM = 950;
fixedFee = 600;
}
var freightCost = (volume * baseRatePerCBM * distanceMult) + fixedFee;
var packingCost = 0;
if (packing) {
packingCost = volume * 65; // Approx $65 per CBM for pro packing
}
var insuranceCost = value * 0.025; // Standard 2.5% international transit insurance
var customsFee = customs ? 350 : 0;
var total = freightCost + packingCost + insuranceCost + customsFee;
document.getElementById('resFreight').innerText = "$" + freightCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resPacking').innerText = "$" + (packingCost + customsFee).toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resInsurance').innerText = "$" + insuranceCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resTotal').innerText = "$" + total.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resultsArea').style.display = "block";
}
How International Moving Rates are Calculated
Planning an overseas relocation involves complex logistics. Unlike local moves, where costs are often based on hourly rates, international moving rates are primarily calculated based on Volume (Cubic Meters) and the distance between ports.
1. Understanding Volume (CBM)
In the shipping industry, space is money. Most moving companies will provide a quote based on "CBM" (Cubic Meters). To estimate your volume, you can use these rough benchmarks:
Studio Apartment: 3 – 5 CBM
2-Bedroom Apartment: 12 – 15 CBM
3-Bedroom House: 25 – 30 CBM
Full 20ft Container: Approx 33 CBM capacity
2. Sea Freight vs. Air Freight
Sea Freight is the most common method for household goods. You can choose between LCL (Less than Container Load), where you share a container with others, or FCL (Full Container Load), where you have the entire 20ft or 40ft box to yourself. FCL is often more cost-effective if you are moving a 3+ bedroom home.
Air Freight is significantly faster (days vs. weeks) but can cost 5 to 10 times more than sea shipping. It is usually reserved for urgent documents or high-value personal items.
3. Hidden Costs to Consider
When looking at an international moving rate, ensure you account for these common additions:
Customs Duties: Most countries allow used household goods to enter tax-free, but some require specific visas or residency permits.
Port Handling Charges: Fees charged by the destination port for offloading your container.
Transit Insurance: Crucial for long-haul moves. Standard policies typically range from 2% to 3.5% of the total declared value of your belongings.
Accessorial Charges: If your new home is on the 5th floor without an elevator, or on a narrow street that a large truck cannot enter (Long Carry/Shuttle fees).
Example Calculation
If you are moving 10 CBM from London to New York (Transoceanic) via Sea Freight: