It costs an average of £1,870 to ship a 40 ft container to Portugal from the UK. 40 ft containers are best for 3+ bed house moves. The average cost of air freight is £208 per 100kg.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about shipping to Portugal. By the end of this article, you’ll feel confident in your removal to Portugal.
Sea Freight
The average cost of shipping a container is £1,339 to ship a 20 ft container and £1,870 to ship a 40 ft container from the UK to Portugal. Sea freight is when you send a shipping container to Portugal.
Pros:
Flat rate pricing structure
Charged by containers used rather than the weight of goods
Ideal for shipping larger and heavier goods
Cons:
Takes longer for goods to arrive with an average time of 10-14 days
Those moving to the Southern regions of Portugal will be waiting longer
Main Portuguese Ports and Routes
Portugal is home to 40 major ports. They are spread across the country so you can choose a location that is convenient for you. Here are the busiest ports in Portugal:
Port of Lisbon
Port of Aveiro
Port of Leixoes
Port of Setubal
Port of Sines
The main UK ports that ship goods to Portugal are Felixstowe, London Thames and Southampton.
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Air Freight
The average air freight cost from the UK to Portugal is £208 per 100kg. For those who want the fastest shipping services, air freight is your best option when moving to Portugal from the UK.
Pros:
Fastest option taking approximately 1-2 days for goods to arrive
Convenience means that it is seamless and stress-free
Cons:
High costs as it is calculated by weight rather than the allocated amount of space
Not good for those moving heavy or large goods
The shipping rates for air freight are extremely high. This is because air freight shipping costs are calculated by weight rather than an allocated amount of space. For those with larger moves or heavier objects such as furniture or automobiles, this can be extremely costly.
Main Portuguese Airports and Routes
Portugal has three airports that cover the whole country thanks to the wide array of international routes available. Here are the 3 major airports in Portugal:
Lisbon
Faro
Porto
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FCL vs LCL Shipping
Another important decision you will need to consider is whether you want to ship your goods as a Full Container Load (FCL) or a Less than Container Load (LCL). Thanks to the various shipping services in Portugal, you are able to choose from either.
Full Container Load (FCL)
Full Container Load refers to the full use of a container. This is the best choice for people who plan on moving a lot of goods and will need a full container. FCL tends to arrive faster because it is only your belongings that are in the container. A general rule of thumb is that 20ft containers are best for 1-2 bed moves while 40ft containers are more suited for 3+ bed moves.
Less Container Load (LCL)
Less Container Loads are best for temporary moves and smaller moves. It’s the ideal choice for student movers who may be studying abroad. LCL means that you won’t pay for full container use. Instead, you will be assigned a portion of the container and the rest is filled with other people’s belongings. There is a chance of delays if the container has to stop at various destinations along the way.
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Other Costs to Consider
You need to make sure that you set aside some money in your budget for further additional costs that may crop up when shipping furniture overseas. You may find that your shipping company has additional services that you want to take advantage of for convenience. Here are some popular additional costs to consider:
Packing Services
Packing services are a regular offering for many removal companies. The movers will provide the supplies. They ensure your goods are packaged securely regardless of your mode of transportation. On average, packing services cost around £250 for 30 boxes’ worth of packaged goods.
Pick-up and Delivery
Pick-up and delivery services are great for those who want a door-to-door experience. This means that your goods are picked up from your current property before being dropped off at the port or airport. The movers will then pick-up your goods from the destination port or airport and deliver them to your new property.
Insurance
International removal insurance is essential when you arrange your goods’ shipment. This will ensure that your goods are financially covered in case of any delay or loss during transportation.
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How Long Does it Take to Ship Belongings to Portugal?
The amount of time it takes to ship to Portugal is dependent on what method of transport you choose. Here is the average delivery time each shipping option takes:
| Shipping Option | Length of Time |
|---|---|
| Air Freight | 1 to 2 Days |
| Sea Freight | 10 to 14 Days |
| Road Freight | 1 to 3 Days |
| Part Load | Up to 2 Weeks |
Prohibited Items to Portugal
Due to the UK’s exit from the European Union, there are certain products that you are prohibited from bringing into Portugal. You may be faced with delays or fines if you are found with the following:
Meat and dairy products
Products containing animal-derived ingredients such as milk
Finding an International Removal Company to Portugal
At Compare My Move, we have a network of international removal partners who can help you with your move to Portugal. You can save up to 70% off your removal costs, while also having peace of mind due to our partners’ excellent service.
