Ship a Container Overseas — Self-Load FCL

FCL (Full Container Load) means you book an entire container — either 20ft or 40ft — exclusively for your cargo. LCL (Less-than-Container Load) means your goods share container space with other shipments, and you only pay for the space you use. FCL is more cost-effective for large volumes, while LCL is ideal for smaller shipments that do not fill a full container.

Typical transit times from the US East Coast to Ireland and the UK are 10-14 days port-to-port. Continental European ports generally take 12-18 days depending on the specific destination. Add approximately 1-2 weeks for customs clearance and inland delivery at each end. Total door-to-door times are typically 4-6 weeks for European destinations.

Yes. We can arrange vehicle shipping via Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) services or inside a container for added protection. Contact us with the make, model, and dimensions of your vehicle for a specific quote. Be aware that destination countries may have specific import regulations and duties for vehicles.

Hazardous materials, flammable liquids, explosives, perishable food items, live plants and animals, and illegal substances cannot be shipped. There are also restrictions on lithium batteries, aerosols, and certain chemicals. We will review your inventory and advise you on any restricted items before shipping.

LCL (Less-than-Container Load) is ideal for shipments of 20-80 boxes and small furniture — you share container space and only pay for what you use. FCL (Full Container Load) makes sense for larger household moves that fill most of a 20ft or 40ft container. As a rule of thumb, if you are shipping a few rooms worth of belongings, LCL is more cost-effective. If you are shipping an entire household, FCL gives you dedicated space and faster delivery.

Absolutely. Ocean freight is the most popular and affordable method for shipping personal effects, household goods, and furniture overseas. It is not just for commercial cargo — the majority of our ocean freight clients are individuals and families relocating to Ireland, the UK, or Europe. We handle all customs clearance, including Transfer of Residence duty relief applications.

The cheapest way to ship household goods overseas is LCL (Less-than-Container Load) ocean freight, where you share container space and only pay for the cubic footage you use. This is significantly cheaper than shipping boxes individually through parcel carriers like USPS or FedEx. City Post Express offers flat-rate LCL packages — for example, our '20 Boxes to Ireland' package bundles pickup, ocean transit, customs clearance, and delivery into one transparent price. For full household moves, a dedicated 20ft or 40ft container (FCL) provides the best per-item value.

Costs depend on volume, destination, and shipping method. As a rough guide: City Post Express charges approximately $65 per box for shared container (LCL) ocean freight, so 10 boxes to Ireland or the UK comes to around $650 door-to-door, and 20 boxes around $1,300 — including pickup, shipping, customs clearance, and delivery. A full 20ft container (FCL) for a larger household move runs $3,500-$6,000 depending on the route. Air freight for urgent items costs significantly more. We provide flat-rate quotes with no hidden fees — contact us with your inventory for an exact price.