Quick Answer: Shipping a 20 ft FCL container from Miami to Cartagena with AB Group Shipping costs from $756 port to port (September 2026 quote), sailing from Port Everglades with 4 days of transit. From Houston the same container also costs $756, with 10 days in transit. The price excludes Colombian import taxes and destination charges.
- Weekly sailings from PortMiami to Cartagena via Crowley, Seaboard, and CMA CGM
- 20': $756; 40' HC: $972 (September 2026 rates, port to port)
- Most quote variance comes from origin THC, BAF, and destination drayage
- Free time at Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena is typically 5 days
Shipping a full container from Miami to Cartagena is one of the most common moves for businesses trading between the US and Colombia. The trade lane is mature, vessel frequency is weekly, and prices have stabilized after the 2024 peak season. This guide breaks down what you actually pay, transit times, and how to avoid the three most common cost overruns.
Reference prices: container shipping from the USA to Colombia
| Port | 20 ft | 40 HC | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| MiamiPort Everglades | $756 | $972 | 4 days |
| Houston | $756 | $972 | 10 days |
| New JerseyNew York | $821 | $972 | 6 days |
| Los Angelesleaves from Houston | $756 | $972 | 10 days |
Port to port to Cartagena, in USD, quoted with our system on September 28, 2026. Includes freight and US export charges; excludes import taxes and destination charges. General cargo. The calculator on this page gives your exact price, with pickup and delivery.
Shipping from another state? Which port to read
Each port in the table is the one that cargo from these states usually leaves through. Miami: Florida. Houston: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. New Jersey: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia and West Virginia. California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Hawaii ship through Los Angeles / Long Beach; Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama ship through Savannah; Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota ship through Chicago (rail); Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska ship through Seattle / Tacoma: those ports are not in the table yet. We pick up in every state, and the calculator finds the best port from your city.
What does a 20' FCL Miami to Cartagena actually cost in 2026?
Quick Answer: A 20' standard container from PortMiami (USMIA) to Cartagena (COCTG) currently runs approx. $756 port to port (September 2026 rates), excluding import taxes and destination charges. Add approx. $300-450 if you need door delivery to the Bogotá metro.
The headline ocean freight rate is the smallest line item. Most of the cost sits in port handling charges (THC at both ends), the bunker adjustment factor (BAF), and the destination drayage if you're going beyond the port. We see weekly sailings on at least three carriers, so booking lead time is generally 7 days for a confirmed slot.
MiamiUSMIA
CartagenaCOCTG
How long does the Miami to Cartagena ocean leg take?
Quick Answer: Port-to-port transit from Miami is 4 days for a 20' (12 days for a 40' HC) depending on carrier and routing. Crowley's weekly direct service is the fastest; transshipment options through Jamaica or Panama add 2-3 days.
Door-to-door is a different number — add origin drayage (1-3 days), pre-vessel staging (1-2 days), customs clearance at Cartagena (1-2 days typical), and final delivery. End-to-end Miami warehouse → Bogotá warehouse runs 14-21 days for a typical shipment.
Pro tip
If your shipment is time-sensitive, ask specifically about Crowley's direct service. The transshipment options through Kingston add three days for the same price.
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Go to the calculator →What's the biggest cost trap on this lane?
Quick Answer: Demurrage at Cartagena. Free time is typically 5 days; each day beyond runs $80-150 per container. Plan your DIAN clearance + drayage timeline before the vessel arrives, not after.
Watch out
Many first-time shippers assume DIAN clearance is a 1-day process. In practice, anti-narcotics inspections can push it to 3-5 days, especially for first-time importers without a clean track record.
Yes — LCL is the better fit if your shipment is under 15 CBM. AB Group consolidates weekly Miami departures so you're not waiting for a container to fill.
For commercial shipments, yes — a licensed Colombian customs broker (Agente de Aduana) is required by DIAN. AB Group can refer you to vetted brokers in Cartagena and Bogotá.
Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin (FTA if applicable), and a Manifiesto de Carga. Your customs broker handles the DIAN submission.
Ready to ship? The calculator below is configured for FCL Miami → Cartagena rates. Enter your dimensions and you'll get a real all-in price in seconds.
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