October 2026 prices. Transporting a 40ft shipping container costs from about $650 within Brisbane, with most moves landing between $750 and $1,300. From Brisbane to Sydney or Melbourne by rail it starts at about $3,100, with most landing between $3,200 and $5,000. Indicative prices inc GST for your own container, empty or loaded up to 5 tonnes. Your estimate takes about two minutes in our calculator, and a confirmed price follows within one business day.
A 40ft is twice the length of a 20ft, and that changes the truck and the rail booking. This guide covers what is different about moving a 40ft, what it costs, and what to check before you book. If you are after a 20ft or general pricing, start with our cost to move a shipping container guide.
40ft container transport prices
Typical 40ft prices, inc GST, your own container
| 40ft within Brisbane, side loader | From about $650. Most land $750 to $1,300 |
| 40ft from Brisbane to Sydney or Melbourne by rail, door to door | From about $3,100. Most land $3,200 to $5,000 |
| 40ft from Sydney or Melbourne to Brisbane by rail, empty or up to 5 tonnes | From about $4,450 (Sydney) and $5,400 (Melbourne) |
| 40ft to regional areas by road | Priced by hand on the route and the access |
The figures come from our live price calculator in October 2026 and are indicative only. Northbound rail lanes cost more than southbound, so a return move is priced on its own lane. Every price includes every leg of the move, with one point of contact start to finish.
What is different about moving a 40ft
Size and weight
A standard 40ft is 12.19 metres long, and a 40ft high cube is about 30 centimetres taller than a standard box. Empty, a 40ft weighs about 3.8 tonnes, against about 2.2 tonnes for a 20ft. Loaded, the price is banded on gross weight, so tell us what is inside.
The truck
A 40ft is done by side loader. If either site is tight, send us a photo and we will check it with the operator before we book. More in our guide to container trucks.
Rail interstate
Brisbane to Sydney and Brisbane to Melbourne usually run by rail, with a truck at each end. At the terminals a 40ft takes two container slots, which is one reason the interstate price sits above a 20ft. The container needs a current CSC plate, and a loaded container needs its doors padlocked or sealed with the contents secured. We check the plate from a quick photo before we book.
Site access
The extra length is the thing people miss. Measure where the container will sit, and check gates, trees and overhead lines around it.
Buying or hiring a 40ft
If you do not have the container yet, we can supply a 40ft and deliver it in one arrangement, bought or hired, anywhere in Australia from the nearest depot. See containers for sale, or read hiring vs buying a shipping container if you are weighing it up.
What is included
- Every leg of the move and the standard terminal lifts in one price. If a third party fee such as Container Chain applies, it is shown in your confirmed rate.
- Goods in transit insurance, plus public liability. If you are moving vehicles, machinery or anything unusual, tell us and we will sort the cover for it.
- One point of contact start to finish, who books the trucks, tracks the move and keeps you updated.
Get a 40ft estimate
Open the calculator, enter both suburbs, pick 40ft and the weight band, and your estimate shows on the spot. A confirmed price follows by email within one business day. Prefer to talk? Call 0423 859 829, 7am to 4pm weekdays.
40ft estimate, on the spot
Instant estimate online for a 40ft anywhere in Australia. A confirmed price follows within one business day, one point of contact start to finish.