Quick Answer: How Do Container Houses Ship?
Container houses travel one of two ways. A welded unit ships whole (FCL) — fastest to install, but it occupies a container slot by itself, so you ship fewer per vessel. A flat-pack (CKD) unit ships knocked down — you fit 6–8 units in one 40ft high-cube, cutting per-unit freight by 50–60%, at the cost of assembly on site. Most buyers overseas choose flat pack for cost and folding or welded units when speed of installation matters more than freight. Whatever the method, the real cost drivers are units per container, the Incoterm you agree, and last-mile access at your site.
How Container Houses Ship: FCL vs CKD
| Method | How it ships | Units per 40HQ | Install effort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welded / assembled (FCL) | Whole unit in a container slot | 1 | Minimal — set and connect | Fast deployment, finished homes |
| Folding | Pre-assembled, folds flat | 4–6 | Hours — unfold and lock | Balance of speed and freight |
| Flat pack (CKD) | Knocked down, packed | 6–8 | 1–3 days per unit | Best freight economics, bulk orders |
| Expandable | Compact shipping, unfolds wider | 2–3 | Hours to a day | Larger rooms, homes, resorts |
| Space capsule | Whole unit, high volume | 1–2 | Minimal | Premium, glamping, hospitality |
Choose based on freight cost versus assembly capacity at your end. If you have labour and time on site, flat pack almost always wins on landed cost.
Freight Economics: Units per Container
Sea freight is charged per container, not per unit — so loading density is the single biggest lever on your landed cost.
- 6–8 flat packs per 40HQ — the lowest freight per unit; the standard choice for camps and bulk orders.
- 4–6 folding units per 40HQ — pre-assembled but compact, a good middle ground.
- 2–3 expandables per 40HQ — larger shipping volume, higher freight per unit.
- 1–2 space capsules per 40HQ — premium units, highest freight per unit.
At one unit you pay a full container’s freight alone; at six units the same container cost is shared. This is why ordering in container multiples — 6, 8 or 12 units — is the fastest way to cut landed cost without changing the product.
Incoterms — Who Pays What
| Incoterm | Supplier covers | You cover | Risk transfers |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Unit at factory | Loading, export, freight, insurance, import, inland | At the factory |
| FOB | Unit + export clearance + loading to vessel | Sea freight, insurance, import duty, inland | On board at origin port |
| CIF | Unit + freight + insurance to destination port | Duty/VAT, port charges, inland, foundation | At destination port |
| DDP | Everything to your site, duty paid | Usually foundation and installation | At your site |
For a first order, CIF or DDP removes most logistics risk. FOB suits buyers with their own forwarder and customs broker. EXW only makes sense if you genuinely control logistics from the factory gate.
Transit Times by Route
Indicative sea transit from China (add customs and inland legs):
| Destination | Sea transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia | 5–15 days | Shortest routes in the network |
| Middle East (Jebel Ali, Dammam) | 15–25 days | Frequent sailings |
| Australia / New Zealand | 15–28 days | NZ South Island adds an inland or coastal leg |
| US West Coast | 15–25 days | LA/Long Beach congestion can add days |
| US East Coast | 25–35 days | Longer route; port choice affects cost |
| Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg) | 30–40 days | Peak season can extend transit |
| Africa (Tema, Mombasa, Durban) | 25–40 days | Inland legs add significant time |
| South America (Santos, Callao) | 30–45 days | Longest routes; plan buffer |
Production typically adds 15–25 days before the vessel sails, so a realistic order-to-site window is 8–14 weeks depending on destination.
Customs and Documents
Missing or incorrect paperwork is the most common cause of delays and demurrage. Prepare:
- Commercial invoice — value, description and Incoterm.
- Packing list — units, components and weights per container.
- Bill of lading (B/L) — the carrier’s receipt and title document.
- Correct HS code — prefabricated steel buildings are commonly classified under HS 9406.20; classification drives duty, so confirm it with a licensed broker.
- Certificate of origin — for preferential tariffs; under ACFTA, Form E can reduce or eliminate duty in ASEAN markets.
- Inspection or conformity documents — CE, UL/ETL or EN 1090 evidence where the destination requires it.
- Fumigation / ISPM 15 — for any wooden packing, crates or dunnage.
Engage a customs broker at the destination before shipping, not after the container lands.
Last-Mile and Site Access
The unit is only delivered when it is on your pad, not when it clears the port. Plan:
- Truck access — measure gate width, road turns and overhead cables along the route.
- Crane or reach-stacker — most units need lifting equipment on site; a site crane can add $800–2,000 if a reach-stacker cannot reach the pad.
- Ground bearing — firm, level ground for the crane and truck, especially after rain.
- Placement spot — confirm the exact position and orientation before the crane arrives.
- Foundation readiness — the pad or piers must be complete when the unit lands, or you pay storage.
Planning Your Delivery Timeline
Work backwards from your required occupation date:
- Production — 15–25 days from deposit and drawing approval.
- Inland to port and loading — 3–7 days.
- Sea transit — 5–45 days depending on route.
- Customs clearance — 2–10 days, longer if documents are queried.
- Last-mile and craning — 1–5 days.
- Assembly and services — hours (welded) to 1–3 days per unit (flat pack).
Add a buffer of 2–3 weeks for port congestion, customs queries and weather.
Common Shipping Mistakes
- Ordering a single unit when a container multiple would cost less per unit.
- Wrong HS code, leading to unexpected duty or a customs hold.
- No destination broker, leaving clearance to chance.
- Underestimating last-mile access — a unit that cannot reach the pad still costs full freight.
- Foundation not ready, incurring storage and re-craning charges.
- Ignoring Incoterms, then discovering freight and duty were never included.
- No pre-shipment inspection, discovering a specification mismatch only after arrival.
FAQ
Flat-pack or welded — which ships cheaper?
Flat pack almost always ships cheaper, because 6–8 units fit in a 40ft high-cube versus one welded unit per slot. Welded wins on installation speed, since the unit arrives complete.
What Incoterm is best for a first order?
CIF or DDP reduce your logistics burden and make budgeting predictable. Choose FOB if you already work with a freight forwarder and customs broker, and EXW only if you fully control logistics from the factory.
How long does shipping take?
Sea transit ranges from 5–15 days for Southeast Asia to 30–45 days for Europe and South America, plus 15–25 days production and 2–10 days customs. A realistic order-to-site window is 8–14 weeks; add a 2–3 week buffer.
Do I need a crane on site?
Usually yes for welded and expandable units, and often for flat pack components depending on size. A reach-stacker can handle some units, but a site crane may be needed — budget $800–2,000 if access is tight.
What documents do I need for customs?
A commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, the correct HS code (commonly 9406.20 for prefabricated steel buildings), a certificate of origin (Form E under ACFTA where applicable), conformity documents, and ISPM 15 treatment for wooden packing.
Can I ship more than one unit in a container?
Yes — that is the main cost lever. A 40ft high-cube takes 6–8 flat packs, 4–6 folding units, 2–3 expandables or 1–2 space capsules. Ordering in container multiples cuts per-unit freight by 50–60%.
Who arranges the inland transport?
It depends on the Incoterm. Under CIF the supplier covers freight to your port but you arrange inland haulage; under DDP the supplier delivers to your site. Confirm in writing where the supplier’s responsibility ends.
How do I avoid demurrage and storage charges?
Have documents ready before arrival, engage a destination broker in advance, ensure your foundation and crane are ready, and clear the container promptly once it lands.
