All-Inclusive Moving
Full Container Load (FCL) for International Moves
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Over 1,500 moves completed
Your own exclusive shipping container, with no sharing
A dedicated container move, also known as an exclusive or private container service, reserves an entire shipping container for your belongings. Ideal for families, expats and larger moves, it offers a more direct shipping option than shared container transport. Easygroupage supports you from packing and customs paperwork through to final delivery.
Your own exclusive shipping container, with no sharing
A dedicated container move, also known as an exclusive or private container service, reserves an entire shipping container for your belongings. Ideal for families, expats and larger moves, it offers a more direct shipping option than shared container transport. Easygroupage supports you from packing and customs paperwork through to final delivery.
Your dedicated container move, step by step
From confirming your plans to delivering your belongings, discover how Easygroupage manages your international move using a dedicated container.
Plan your move with an expert
Once you accept your quote, your Easygroupage advisor confirms the key dates, addresses, access arrangements and any logistical constraints. This helps establish whether a dedicated container (FCL), also known as an exclusive container, is the best fit for your shipment volume and schedule.
Common mistakes include underestimating the actual volume or forgetting to mention difficult access, a piano or bulky items. A few photos or a video survey can often prevent these issues.
Documents and departure preparation
Before collection, Easygroupage helps you prepare your inventory, any insurance details and the documents required for import. Customs requirements vary by destination and should be addressed several weeks before departure.
Incomplete paperwork can delay your exclusive container shipment, even when the entire container is reserved for your move.
Professional packing and home collection
On the agreed date, the team packs, protects and prepares your belongings for international sea freight. Even in a dedicated container, furniture and boxes need protection against handling, vibration and the different stages of the journey.
Keep passports, important documents, medication and anything essential for your first few weeks with you.
Loading your dedicated container
Your belongings are loaded into an exclusive shipping container reserved entirely for your move. Unlike shared container shipping, your shipment does not share space with other customers’ goods. Loading is planned to use the available space efficiently while securing furniture and fragile items.
The final volume is also checked at this stage to make sure the load matches the original plan.
Sea freight to your destination
Your dedicated FCL container is transferred to the departure port and loaded onto an international shipping service. Depending on the destination, the route may be direct or involve transshipment. Easygroupage tracks the main transport milestones and keeps you updated.
Sea transit is only one part of the overall timeline. Port operations and final delivery also need to be factored in.
Arrival, customs and local coordination
When the container arrives at the port, import formalities are completed with local partners. Depending on the country, inspections or additional documents may be required.
A common misconception is that delivery takes place as soon as the ship arrives. Administrative and logistical steps are often still needed before your belongings can be released.
Delivery and settling into your new home
Once customs formalities are complete, delivery to your home is arranged. Depending on the service selected, the team may also unpack your belongings or reassemble certain pieces of furniture.
Before signing for delivery, check the general condition of your belongings and report any issues promptly. If your new home is not yet available, a storage solution may be considered.
Which shipping option suits your move?
The best option depends on the volume you need to ship, your budget, your preferred timeline and your destination. A full container load is not always the right choice: shared container shipping or air freight may be more suitable for some moves. Use this comparison to identify the best solution for your international relocation.
Solution
Budget
Speed
Volume
Best for
Shared Container Shipping (LCL)
2–15 m³
Budget first, flexible delivery dates
Dedicated Container (FCL)
15 m³+
Full household moves with tighter schedules
Air Freight
< 1 m3
Urgent essentials and a quick move-in
- All-inclusive door-to-door moving
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Why choose a dedicated shipping container?
A dedicated container, also known as an exclusive container, is particularly suitable when your shipment volume, schedule or the nature of your belongings makes shared container shipping less practical.
Dedicated container shipping costs and transit times
What really affects the price?
The cost of an international move with a dedicated container is not simply the price of the container itself. Depending on your quote, it generally covers packing, handling, inland transport, sea freight, customs formalities, local coordination and final delivery. The main variables are shipment volume, destination, property access, selected services, insurance and special items such as a piano, motorcycle or works of art.
A common mistake is to compare quotes solely on their total price. Always check what is included and whether any destination charges apply.
What transit times should you expect?
A dedicated container often allows a more direct departure than shared container shipping (LCL), because there is no need to wait for other shipments to fill the container. However, schedules still depend on shipping line availability, transshipments, port operations and customs clearance.
Transit times vary considerably by country. Moves to Canada, the United States, Australia or the United Arab Emirates follow different shipping routes. It is also important to distinguish port-to-port transit time from door-to-door delivery time, which includes collection, customs and final delivery.
Tips for managing your budget
- Estimate your volume accurately: a few extra cubic metres can change how your move is organised.
- Declutter before requesting a quote: some furniture may cost more to ship than to replace.
- Flag difficult access: narrow streets, upper floors or buildings without lifts can affect costs.
- Prepare documents early: incomplete paperwork can delay departure or arrival.
- Allow some flexibility: the ship’s arrival does not mean immediate home delivery.
Easygroupage’s advice is simple: choose a dedicated container (FCL), also known as an exclusive container, when your volume, schedule or the nature of your belongings genuinely justifies it. For smaller shipments, shared container shipping often offers a better balance between cost and timing.
Popular destinations for dedicated container moves
Dedicated container shipping is available to many international destinations. Explore our country and city pages to plan your move.
What's Included in Our Services
- Packing materials provided
- Packing and protection of your belongings by our teams
- Basic furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Export and import customs formalities
- Sea freight in a shared container
- Delivery to your new address
What to Budget for Separately
- International moving insurance
- Special crates for very fragile items
- Additional handling services (carrying, furniture lifts, difficult access, etc.)
- Any taxes or import duties in the destination country
- Costs arising from force majeure (strikes, rerouting, exceptional events, etc.)
Good to Know
Moving Insurance
All-risk insurance is required to protect your belongings during international transport.
Delivery Times
Sea freight transit times are estimates and may vary depending on port conditions and logistical disruptions.
Customs
Our teams help you navigate the administrative formalities required for your international move.
Other moving solutions to suit your needs
Depending on your shipment volume, budget and timeline, another option may be a better fit. Explore Easygroupage’s complementary international moving services.
Dedicated container moving: frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about full container load costs, transit times, shipment volume, customs and moving arrangements.
What is the difference between FCL and shared container shipping?
With a dedicated container, also known as an exclusive container or full container load (FCL), the entire space is reserved for your move. With shared container shipping (LCL), several customers share one container and each pays for the space used. LCL is often more economical for smaller moves, while FCL can be a better fit for larger households or tighter schedules.
Is a dedicated container faster than shared shipping?
It can offer a more direct departure because there is no need to wait for a shared container to fill. However, transit times still depend on shipping lines, ports, customs procedures and final delivery. Always distinguish sea transit time from the full door-to-door timeline.
How much volume do I need for a full container load?
There is no universal minimum. The right choice depends on your volume, budget, destination, timeline and the type of belongings you are moving. Easygroupage checks whether a dedicated container is genuinely the best solution or whether shared container shipping would make more sense.
What is included in the cost of a dedicated container move?
The price covers more than the container itself. Depending on the quote, it may include packing, handling, inland transport, sea freight, customs formalities, local coordination and delivery. When comparing quotes, always check the included services and any potential charges at destination.
Can I ship a piano or fragile items in a dedicated container?
Yes, provided you mention them when requesting your quote. Pianos, artworks, antique furniture and other fragile items often require specialist packing, appropriate handling and sometimes additional insurance. The earlier you share these details, the better the shipment can be planned.
Is a dedicated container right for your move?
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