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For Guam moves, shipping a 20-foot or 40-foot container of all your belongings is a popular option. But it’s not your only option for moving your household goods to or from Guam.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the two main options for Guam moves:
- Full container moves (commonly called FCL moves), which offer you a dedicated 20-foot or 40-foot container for your belongings
- Consolidated moves (often referred to as less-than-container load/LCL moves) in which you share a container with others headed for a similar destination
You’ll discover exactly how each shipping method works and how to decide which one is right for your household move to Guam. I’ll also explain the factors that go into the cost of your Guam move and answer some of the most frequently asked questions we hear so you can plan your Guam move with confidence.
In This Article
- The Cost of Shipping Household Goods to Guam
- Option 1: Guam Full Container Load (FCL) Moves
- Option 2: Guam Consolidated Moves (LCL Moves)
- FAQs about Household Goods Moves to/from Guam
The Cost of Shipping Household Goods to or from Guam
First, let’s talk about the cost of a Guam move. Because every move is different, we can’t give you a one-size-fits-all price.
However, we can help you understand the factors that influence the cost of shipping household goods to or from Guam:
Guam Moving Cost Factor #1: Location
The origin and destination points for your move will significantly impact your moving cost. A move from California to Guam will be priced differently than a move from Colorado to Guam:
- If you’re moving from Los Angeles to Guam, all your household goods are already near the port so it will be relatively easy to get a container of your belongings on a ship headed for Guam.
- If you’re coming from an inland destination like Colorado, your container would have to travel first to the West Coast, which adds to the cost.
Because they can be more complex, international moves will also be priced differently than domestic moves. If you’re moving from Japan or Korea, the price for your move would be different than if you were headed to or from the continental U.S.
To sum it up, pricing your move starts with getting specific about where you’re coming from and where you’re going.
Guam Moving Cost Factor #2: The Weight of Your Shipment
Although you might think more in terms of volume—how many belongings you have—your move will ultimately be based upon the actual weight of your shipment. Weight offers a fair and standard method to calculate the cost of your Guam move. It’s simple: The more you move, the more it weighs, and the more you pay.
Guam Moving Cost Factor #3: The Services You’ve Requested
Finally, the cost for your move will also depend on the services you’ve requested, including:
Packing and Unpacking Services: Would you like a professional moving crew to pack and unpack all of your belongings? These services can add significant ease to your move and allow you to focus on the other details of your Guam relocation.
Full Value Protection: Will you choose to protect your move with full value protection? Some people think of this as “moving insurance.” Full value protection guarantees that if anything is lost, destroyed, or damaged, your mover will either repair it to its original condition, replace it, or pay you for the replacement cost. This coverage does cost extra, but we think it’s well worth it for the peace of mind it offers during a long-distance move. Read more about full value protection. (See #7!)
The Bottom Line: The best way to get an accurate idea the cost of your Guam move is to request a quote from three, independent moving companies. Our team would be happy to put together a complimentary quote for you.
Option 1: Guam Full Container Load (FCL) Moves
What About Guam Customs Fees & Procedures
Household Goods Arriving to Guam
Because Guam is a U.S. territory, the island has its own customs fees and procedures, administered by the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency (CQA). Household goods arriving to Guam will need to go through CQA customs procedures.
- Household goods shipments to Guam moving by ocean freight (boat) are charged a $75.00 fee for the first 4,000 lbs., plus a $0.0012 fee for every pound thereafter.
- When you receive your moving quotes, check to see if this line item has been broken out for you. If you don’t see this charge, ask the moving company if you’ll need to pay it separately.
Note: If additional inspections are required, there may be additional fees applied. Generally, the shipper is responsible for paying any additional customs fees.
Household Goods Headed to a U.S. State
Your household goods shipment will need to clear U.S. Customs at the first point of entry. Your moving company will help you assemble the necessary paperwork to secure duty-free clearance for your household goods.
Household Goods Headed for an International Destination
Household goods headed for another country, such as Japan, South Korea, or Hong Kong, will be subject to the customs regulations of the destination country. Many countries offer duty-free clearance for household goods. Work closely with your moving provider to assemble the necessary paperwork.
Read more about Guam customs procedures for household goods.
Option 1: Guam Full Container Load (FCL) Moves
Next, let's explore your first option for shipping household goods to Guam: a 20-foot or 40-foot container. If you choose this option, you'll have an entire, dedicated container to fill with your belongings.
Best For: Individuals and families moving their entire household to or from Guam.
Which size container is right for your Guam move? Use the following as a guide:
| Container Size | Internal Size | Generally Fits* |
|---|---|---|
| 20-Foot | ~1,172 cu ft. | Contents of a two-bedroom apartment |
| 40-Foot | ~2,389 cu ft. | Contents of a three-bedroom house |
* Your mileage will vary, depending on how much stuff you have. Use these ballparks as a guide.
Option 2: Guam Consolidated Moves (LCL Moves)
If you don't plan on moving your entire household, you might be able to save on your Guam move with what's called a consolidated shipment or a less-than-container load shipment.
In these types of moves, your items are packed into lift vans—secure wooden crates typically sized at about 200 cubic feet each. These lift vans are then loaded into a container with other items headed for your destination.
Best For: Smaller moves or those looking for the most cost-effective way to move their household goods to Guam.
Consolidated moves can be a more budget-friendly way to move to Guam, since you're not paying for an entire dedicated container. You're only paying for the space you need.
Looking for Another Way to Lower the Cost of Your Guam Move?
Whether you choose a full container move or a consolidated shipment to Guam, we've got a money-saving tip for you: Downsize before your Guam move. Remember, your move will be priced by weight, so the less you move, the lower the cost of your move.
Before you request a quote for your move, take time to donate, trash, or sell the items that you and your family no longer use.
- Be especially selective about the books you ship. Books are heavy, so paring down your library will help you save significant money.
- Purge your paperwork, shredding documents you no longer need and scanning any you need for reference. (Of course, make sure to keep original documents like marriage certificates, birth certificates, social security cards, etc.)
- Digitize things like family movies and old videotapes. Before you ship that CD/DVD collection, ask yourself whether it might be time to let it go, rather than pay to move it.
Think of your Guam move as a great opportunity to lighten your load. As a bonus, you'll also save on your shipping costs.
FAQs about Household Goods Moves to/from Guam
Finally, to help you make your Guam move with confidence, I'll answer some of the more common questions we get about household goods moves to and from Guam.
