How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Container to or from Alaska?

If you’re moving a significant number of items to or from Alaska, you’re likely looking at using a shipping container. (And you probably want to know how much it will cost!)

Even though containers come in industry-standard sizes, quoting a price to move them requires a few special considerations.

In this article, we’ll show you the three major factors that go into a quote for shipping a container to or from Alaska. With this knowledge, you’ll 1) understand your quote better and 2) know you’re getting the right price for your shipment. Whether you’re:

• A family moving from Alaska to the lower 48 with a container full of household goods,
• A business shipping machinery to your Alaska locations…
• A hospital moving medical equipment to a new facility…
• A construction company sending containers of equipment and materials to Alaska……your best bet for getting a price you can rely on is to request a quote.

That said,  we’ll take you behind the scenes so you can see how a container quote gets put together—and give you a few ballpark prices so you know what to expect.

…your best bet for getting a price you can rely on is to request a quote.

That said,  we’ll take you behind the scenes so you can see how a container quote gets put together—and give you a few ballpark prices so you know what to expect.

Factor #1: It’s All About the Location

Location makes all the difference in Alaska. Moving items to or from Anchorage is different than moving items to or from Nikiski—or a remote location like Adak.

Even outside of Alaska, when it comes to container prices, location matters. If the origin or destination point of a container is far from a port, it makes a big difference in the cost.

Let’s look at a few examples:

The Bottom Line: The farther you are from a port, the more expensive it will be to ship your container.

Factor #2: What You’re Moving

A 40′ container is a 40′ container, right?

The truth is, what’s in the container matters—a lot.

Carriers charge different rates depending on what you’re shipping. A shipment of household goods is priced differently than a shipment classified as FAK—freight of all kinds. Hazardous materials within a container (aerosols or lithium batteries, for example) will also change the cost the carrier charges.

When you reach out to quote your container shipment, we’ll ask you exactly what you’re shipping, so we can put together an accurate quote.

Factor #3: Any Extra Services You Require

Finally, if you need any additional services, those will change the final cost of your Alaska container shipment.

For example, packing and unpacking services for household goods and inside delivery or white glove service for freight can all add to the overall cost of your shipment. They’ll also add significant ease to your project.

In many cases, these extra services are worth the extra cost. For certain projects, they’re essential.

Finding the Right Alaska Provider

Finally, before we get down to the nitty-gritty and share some ballpark numbers for shipping a container, one more note in this area: Finding a provider who offers the extra services we mentioned above can be a challenge.

Port-to-port service is fairly simple and straightforward when it comes to Alaska freight.

However, getting your container to or from the port in Alaska can be more complex than you’d think. You may struggle to find providers who are willing to do door deliveries or door pickups, especially as you get farther from a port.

Additionally, even fewer providers are willing to provide inside delivery or white glove service. Where freight is concerned, providers might be willing to drop your shipment at the curb, but they may not be willing to bring it inside, unpack it, and put it in place.

If you’re looking for a provider who can go beyond port-to-port Alaska freight service, reach out to our team.

So, Bottom Line: How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Container to Alaska?

Now that you’ve got a grasp of what goes into pricing a container, let’s get down to brass tacks. But, first, we want to be clear: These numbers are simply ballparks. They don’t resemble a firm quote in any shape or form. After all, as you’ve discovered, there are too many factors involved to give you a blanket quote that works for everyone’s situation.

With that, here are two ballparks for the cost to ship a container to Alaska:

• Ocean freight cost to move a 40′ container from the Port of Tacoma to the Port of Anchorage: starting at ~$6,700
• Ocean freight cost to move a 40′ container from the Port of Tacoma to Fairbanks, AK: starting at ~$7,600

(cost does not include drayage/trucking, loading, or unloading services)

We said it earlier, but we’ll say it again: The best way to get an accurate quote for your Alaska shipment is to reach out to us.

We’ll ask you a few questions that will allow us to tailor a quote to your needs.  With this quote in hand, you’ll know exactly how much it will cost to get your container where it needs to go. We’re also happy to quote out any extra services you might need: door delivery, packing or unpacking, inside delivery, or white glove service.

Our team has experience all over the state, and we’d be happy to help you with your Alaska container shipment. In addition to household goods, we specialize in project freight, including heavy equipment and medical equipment. Reach out for your complimentary quote today to get started.