How much does it cost to move a shipping container?

Every container move is priced on its own route, weight and site access, so the honest answer to "how much" is a range until we know those three things. This guide shows where the current prices are, what pushes a job up or down, and the quickest way to a confirmed number.

Indicative prices to move a shipping container

The prices shown are indicative, inc GST, for your own container, written from our live calculator on 30 October 2026. "From" is the lowest price across our sample suburbs in each city. Your own price depends on your two addresses, the weight and the access, and the calculator shows the range for your suburbs.

Northbound and southbound are priced separately, so check the row for your direction. A 20ft to regional Queensland, about 300 km by road, is priced by hand. Each city has its own page: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Cairns, Townsville and Mackay. Every price includes every leg of the move, with one point of contact start to finish.

What moves the price

1. Distance and the lane

Distance is the biggest single factor, but the lane matters as much as the kilometres. A move across Brisbane is one truck and one driver. Brisbane to Sydney or Melbourne usually runs by rail between terminals, with a truck at each end, which is why a 900 km interstate move can cost less per kilometre than a 300 km regional road run.

2. Container size and weight

A 40ft goes by side loader, and a loaded container is priced on its gross weight. An empty 20ft weighs about 2.2 tonnes and an empty 40ft about 3.8 tonnes. Our prices are banded by weight, so tell us what is inside and we will put it on the right truck first time.

3. The truck

Most 20ft moves up to 10 tonnes go on a tilt tray. Heavier 20ft containers and 40ft moves are done by side loader, and a crane truck is booked when the site calls for it. The truck is built into the price. Which one suits your job is explained in our guide to container trucks.

4. Access at both ends

A tilt tray needs firm, level ground, clear overhead and a straight run of about 15 to 20 metres to slide the container off. If either site is tight on any of that, send us a photo and we will check it with the operator before we book, rather than finding out on the day.

5. Timing

Tell us your date, or even a rough timeframe. If it is flexible, say so and we will work around it.

Interstate: how rail keeps the price down

From Brisbane to Sydney and Melbourne, rail is the reliable way to move a container and keeps the price sharp. We collect the container, deliver it to the rail terminal, and a truck at the other end delivers it to the door. For rail the container needs a current CSC plate, its doors padlocked or sealed, and any contents secured so nothing shifts. We check the plate from a quick photo before we book. More on shipping containers by rail and the CSC plate, and on interstate container transport as a whole.

What is included in our price

• 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 a vehicle, machinery or anything unusual is going in, tell us first so we can check the cover for it.
• One point of contact start to finish, who books the trucks, tracks the move and keeps you updated.

We move containers within Australia only. Moving house in a container, relocating a site shed, shifting a container you have just bought or hired, or getting an interstate job to site: it is the same service either way.

How to get your estimate in two minutes

1. Open the calculator and enter the pickup and delivery suburbs.
2. Pick the container size and the weight band. If you are not sure of the weight, the bands describe what usually sits in each one.
3. Your estimate shows on the spot. Leave your details and a confirmed price follows by email within one business day.

Prefer to talk it through? Call 0423 859 829, 7am to 4pm weekdays, or send us the job through the quote form and we will price it by hand.

Common questions

How much does it cost to move a 20ft shipping container?

The table at the top of this guide has a row for each lane it covers: within Brisbane by road, and Brisbane to and from Sydney and Melbourne by rail, for loads up to 10 tonnes, inc GST, for your own container. For your own suburbs, the estimate takes about two minutes in our calculator, and a confirmed price follows within one business day.

How much does it cost to move a 40ft container?

A 40ft is moved by side loader and priced on its own lane. What a 40ft costs and what is different about moving one are covered in our 40ft transport cost guide.

Does a loaded container cost more to move than an empty one?

Yes. The price is based on the gross weight of the container. A 20ft loaded up to 10 tonnes goes on a tilt tray, and anything heavier goes by side loader. The calculator asks for the weight band so the estimate is right first time.

Is rail or road cheaper for an interstate container move?

From Brisbane to Sydney or Melbourne, rail usually keeps the price sharper and is the reliable way to move a container on those lanes, with a truck at each end so the price is door to door. Road suits shorter runs and nearby regional areas, and some interstate jobs where timing or access calls for it. We price the option that suits your route and say which it is.

Do you move shipping containers overseas?

No. We move containers within Australia only: across town, to regional areas and interstate.

How do I get a price?

Use the calculator. It takes about two minutes, your estimate shows on the spot, and a confirmed price follows by email within one business day. Or call 0423 859 829 between 7am and 4pm on weekdays.