Shipping times and costs from Bismarck, United States of America to Berlin, Germany

Shipping times
1 - 3 Days by air
14 - 20 Days by sea

1 Bedroom flat

Shipping costs by air £8,832 - £9,760
Shipping costs by sea £4,637 - £5,124

3 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £7,134 - £7,883

5 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £10,701 - £11,825

Please note: the prices listed here are meant as an estimate only. The best way to get a comprehensive, tailored quote is to fill out our form and be matched with a supplier.

Shipping Container Costs to Germany

Berlin is Europe’s coolest city. The capital of Germany, situated in the northeast of the country, is home to some very trendy people - about 3.5 million of them, to be precise. Mega multicultural and very liberal, Berlin has the perfect combination of grit and glamour. Its famous nightlife is up there with the best in the world, while its startup scene is growing rapidly. A new life in Berlin is an exciting opportunity for any expat.

Different shipping options

If you’re thinking of relocating permanently to Berlin, you’ll probably want to bring a few belongings with you. There are two main options to choose between: air freight or sea freight.

Air freight offers a fast service. Cargo planes are able to reach Berlin from anywhere in the world in just two or three days. However, air freight is expensive, so it’s handy if you need to move abroad quickly but not great for keeping costs low.

Sea freight is the slower option but it’s also much more affordable, being around five times cheaper than air freight. If you’re moving on a budget, sea freight is ideal, but you also need to allow several weeks for your cargo to arrive.

If you choose sea freight, your belongings will go in either a 20ft container or a 40ft container, depending on the amount of stuff you’re bringing. If the total volume of your cargo is less than around 15 cubic metres, you will share a container with other people (in a process known as Less Than Container Load, or LCL). Most of our shipping suppliers provide a full door-to-door service, which means they’ll take your belongings all the way from your old home to your new one in Berlin. Easy!

For loads more information on international container shipping costs, check out our detailed guide here.

Major shipping routes

The only coastline in Germany is in the north, so that’s where you’ll find all of its shipping ports. The country’s biggest container terminal is easily the Port of Hamburg, which is the 15th largest in the world. There are also the combined ports of Bremen-Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven. Once your container reaches German soil, it will travel by truck and/or train to your new residence.

Clearing customs in Germany

Papers please! Customs can seem a bit daunting, but our experienced shipping suppliers will help you through it. Fortunately, Germany’s customs process is fairly straightforward. You are required to create an inventory (i.e. a detailed list) of all the items that you’re bringing into the country. Customs officials may physically open your container and inspect it, so it’s important that everything inside matches up with what’s written in your inventory. See below for an idea of all the things that are prohibited or restricted by German customs. You can learn more on the official German customs website.

Shipping Container Options

20Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
33 Cubic Meters
5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £7,134 - £7,883

Get a quote for a 20ft container
Get Shipping Container Quotes
  • Boxes
    16 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedrooms
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

40Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
67 Cubic Meters
12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £13,554 - £14,978

Get a quote for a 40ft container
Get Shipping Container Quotes
  • Boxes
    28 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedroom
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x car, 1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

Car shipped by sea freight

Max Dimensions: 5.75m x 2.2m x 2.2m (l x w x h)

Base Price: £2,208 - £2,440

Quarantine & Taxes: £1,000 - £2,500

Price: £9,234 - £13,133

Get a quote for a car
Get Shipping Container Quotes

Unusual Restricted Items

Unconstitutional Publications/Harmful Media
Unconstitutional publications and media that are deemed harmful to minors.
Medicinal Products and Narcotics
Counterfeit medicines, substances that are harmful and frequently used for doping and narcotics are prohibited.
Animal Products
Meat and milk products from non-EU countries are strictly prohibited.
Products from Protected Species
Products from protected species listed under CITES
Plants and Plant Products
Potatoes, vines, wine leaves and soil or any plant substrate from most Eastern and non-European countries.
Fireworks
Fireworks must always be declared to the customs office when being imported from a non-EU state.