Planning an international move is overwhelming enough without trying to decode what actually happens once your container leaves your driveway. Most people get vague timeline estimates and spend weeks wondering if their belongings are lost at sea or stuck in customs.
This guide walks you through each phase of international container shipping, highlighting realistic timeframes, potential problems, and why visibility matters.
Spoiler alert: the journey is more complex than most people realize, which is exactly why tracking matters.
THE COMPLETE JOURNEY: 6 PHASES FROM DOOR TO DOOR
Total realistic timeline: 6–16 weeks depending on your route and service level. Here's what actually happens to your container and why each phase matters for your planning.
PHASE 1: PRE-MOVE PLANNING AND BOOKING (1–4 WEEKS)
You're gathering quotes and making decisions that impact everything downstream.
Key Decisions
- FCL vs. LCL – full containers move faster but cost more
- Port selection – some routes have weekly departures, others monthly
- Service level – door-to-door vs. port-to-port affects final delivery
- Insurance coverage and how carefully items are handled
Hidden Timeline Factors
- Peak moving season (May–September) adds weeks
- Holiday periods can delay processing
- Container availability varies by location and season
Red Flags
- Quotes that seem too good to be true
- Movers who can't provide vessel schedules
- Vague language about extra fees and timing
Pro tip: ask for your container number the moment your goods are loaded—it's the key to tracking your entire journey.
PHASE 2: PACKING AND CONTAINER LOADING (1–3 DAYS)
Professional movers pack your belongings and load them into a shipping container at your home or a warehouse facility.
The Process
- Day 1: Packing and initial loading
- Day 2: Completion of loading and sealing
- Day 3: Transport to port or staging area
Documentation Created
- Detailed packing inventory
- Bill of Lading
- Insurance declarations
- Container seal numbers and photos
What Can Go Wrong
- Inadequate packing leading to damage
- Missing items from the inventory
- Container delivered to the wrong port
- Paperwork errors causing customs delays
Everything that happens later depends on decisions made during packing. Poor documentation here creates customs problems and inadequate packing causes damage during transit.
PHASE 3: ORIGIN PORT PROCESSING AND VESSEL LOADING (3–10 DAYS)
Your container joins thousands of others at the port, waiting for vessel space and going through export procedures.
The Timeline
- Days 1–2: Container arrival and port check-in
- Days 3–5: Export customs clearance
- Days 6–8: Waiting for vessel space
- Days 9–10: Loading onto ship and departure
Behind the Scenes
- Security scans
- Documentation inspection
- Assignment to a specific vessel
- Strategic positioning for unloading
Common Delays
- Container rollovers due to space constraints
- Export paperwork issues
- Port congestion
- Labor disruptions
This is where many containers seem to disappear. Ports often don't communicate with moving companies in real time, leaving you wondering if your container even made it onto a ship.
PHASE 4: OCEAN TRANSIT (1–8 WEEKS)
Your container crosses the ocean on a massive cargo vessel and may make multiple port stops along the way.
Typical Transit Times
- US to UK/Northern Europe: 7–12 days
- US to Australia/New Zealand: 14–21 days
- US to Asia: 12–18 days
- Europe to Asia: 16–25 days
- US East Coast to Asia via Panama Canal: 16–24 days
What Can Affect Your Timeline
- Weather events forcing route changes
- Port congestion with vessels waiting offshore
- Mechanical issues
- Transshipment delays when containers change ships
- Seasonal factors like hurricanes or monsoons
Tracking During Transit
- Vessel position tracking via marine AIS systems
- Port call updates at intermediate stops
- ETA adjustments based on current speed and conditions
Ocean transit is usually the most predictable phase—it's what happens before and after that creates uncertainty.
PHASE 5: DESTINATION PORT AND CUSTOMS CLEARANCE (3–14 DAYS)
After arrival your container is unloaded and must clear import customs before final delivery.
The Process
- Days 1–2: Container discharge
- Days 3–5: Customs document review
- Days 6–8: Physical inspection if selected
- Days 9–10: Customs clearance and release
- Days 11–14: Local delivery arrangement
Customs Inspection Probability
- Green lane (no inspection): 60–70%
- Document review only: 20–25%
- Physical exam: 10–15%
- Intensive inspection: 1–2%
What Officials Look For
- Accurate inventory declarations
- Prohibited or restricted items
- Under-declared values
- Proper documentation for high-value items
Common Delays & Costs
- Missing documentation
- Value discrepancies
- Restricted items requiring permits
- Administrative backlogs
- Import duties and taxes
- Customs examination fees
- Storage charges if clearance takes too long
- Broker fees for assistance
PHASE 6: FINAL DELIVERY TO YOUR NEW HOME (1–10 DAYS)
Once customs releases your container, a local delivery partner arranges transport to your new home.
The Process
- Day 1: Release notification and scheduling
- Days 2–3: Transport to local facility
- Days 4–5: Delivery appointment coordination
- Days 6–7: Final delivery and unpacking
Delivery Logistics Challenges
- Urban access restrictions
- Rural locations requiring smaller vehicles
- Building elevator or weight limits
- Scheduling coordination with your availability
What Can Go Wrong
- Delivery truck can't reach your address
- Multiple delivery attempts
- Damage discovered during unpacking
- Extra fees for stairs or distance
Unpacking Options
- Full service: complete unpacking and debris removal
- Partial service: major items only
- Delivery only: you handle all unpacking
WHAT MAKES INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING UNPREDICTABLE
System Fragmentation
Each phase involves different companies using separate systems. Information doesn't flow smoothly between them:
- Your moving company and the freight forwarder
- The freight forwarder and ocean carrier
- Ocean carrier and destination port
- Port authorities and customs officials
- Customs and local delivery companies
Seasonal Variations
- Peak season (May–September) takes longer
- Holiday periods slow processing
- Weather seasons like hurricanes or winter storms
Documentation Dependencies
Your shipment is only as fast as your paperwork. Problems with:
- Inventory accuracy
- Personal identification documents
- Customs declarations
- Insurance documentation
Any of these can stop your container in its tracks for days or weeks.
WHY REAL-TIME TRACKING CHANGES EVERYTHING
Instead of wondering, you'll know:
- Exactly which vessel is carrying your container
- Current location and estimated arrival
- If customs delays are developing
- When to expect delivery scheduling calls
Planning Benefits
- Housing decisions: extend temporary accommodation or commit to permanent housing
- Utilities timing for actual delivery dates
- Work planning and time off
- Budget management before extra costs hit
HOW STEVE SIMPLIFIES THE COMPLEX JOURNEY
Unified Tracking Dashboard
Instead of checking multiple carrier websites and calling different reps, STEVE provides:
- Single-screen view of your container's entire journey
- Real-time updates from origin port through final delivery
- Plain-English explanations of status updates
- Proactive alerts when timelines or costs change
Predictive Intelligence
- ETAs based on actual vessel performance
- Historical data for realistic timelines
- Early warning when delays start to develop
Cost Transparency
- Upfront visibility into additional fees
- Alerts about storage charges and deadlines
- Documentation requirements to avoid surprise customs fees
FINAL THOUGHTS: MOVING SMART IN 2025
International container shipping is complex, but it doesn't have to be mysterious. Understanding the process helps you make better decisions, avoid unnecessary costs, and reduce stress.
The technology exists to make moves transparent and predictable. Will you use modern tracking tools or continue hoping for the best?
Your belongings are making an incredible journey across oceans and through multiple countries. Don't you want to know where they are?