ISO 9001 certified
Shipping Container Transport
Company in Illinois

The cost of moving a shipping container in Illinois ranges from $2.65 to $3.00 per mile, depending on factors like weight, size, delivery distance, fuel prices and additional services.

To get an accurate container shipping quote for Illinois, contact Heavy Equipment Transport and speak to our shipping experts. Provide detailed information, including pickup and delivery addresses, container size, cargo type, weight, dimensions and whether the service is residential or commercial.

Yes, expedited container transportation services incur extra fees due to the costs of priority handling and faster delivery.

• Expedited vs. standard: Expedited container shipping is more costly than standard options due to the need for additional resources to ensure quicker delivery.
• Reflects additional costs: The price premium for expedited services covers the extra costs associated with prioritizing your shipment and ensuring it arrives at its destination more quickly.
• Compare quotes: When requesting container transport quotes, you will typically notice a higher price for expedited services compared to standard ones. However, this increased cost will be clearly displayed in the transparent pricing provided by most shipping companies.

Permits are essential for shipping containers to or from Illinois, particularly if the container or total vehicle and load exceeds legal size and weight limits.

In Illinois, the maximum legal gross vehicle weight (GVW) for a standard truck combination transporting a container on major roads is 80,000 pounds. To stay under this limit, the recommended cargo weight is typically 43,000 pounds for a 40-foot container and 38,000 pounds for a 20-foot container (without a tri-axle chassis).

If your container load exceeds the limits, an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) permit is required. Illinois permits non-divisible loads up to 100,000 lbs on 5 axles or more, but generally does not permit divisible cargo, such as general merchandise that can be split into two shipments.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) manages permits for overweight vehicles and shipping containers on state highways. Local agencies, like the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, handle permits for their roads. For township or local streets, contact the respective township or municipal office.

In Illinois, common trailers for transporting shipping containers include container chassis, flatbed trailers, and lowboy trailers. Container chassis are used for intermodal transport, flatbed trailers offer versatility for different container sizes, and lowboy trailers transport taller or oversized containers.

• Container Chassis: Also known as skeletal or intermodal trailers, these purpose-built frames with wheels are designed to securely hold standard containers between ports, rail yards, and other distribution points.
• Flatbed Trailer: A flatbed trailer is a versatile and commonly used option. It features an open, flat deck that can accommodate different container sizes and is towed by a semi-truck.
• Lowboy Trailer: Lowboy trailers have a lower deck height that makes them suitable for transporting tall or overweight containers, which might otherwise exceed height regulations.
• Gooseneck Trailer: Gooseneck trailers are designed to carry heavier loads, featuring a connection that integrates more closely with the tractor for improved stability and weight distribution.
• Extendable Container Trailer: Extendable Container Trailers can be adjusted in length to fit various container sizes, with options for both single and double extendable models.

Specialized equipment is necessary for delivery at ground level. Tilt-bed trucks are often utilized when no separate crane is available. Some companies offer cranes or sidelifters for an additional fee.

For container delivery in Illinois, you need about 80 to 100 feet of clear, level space for a 20-foot container and at least 100 feet for a 40-foot container. Allow 10 to 15 feet of width for truck maneuvering and ensure there’s enough overhead clearance and a level surface.

A designated contact must be present during the delivery of a shipping container to confirm the drop-off location, ensure safety for the driver, and inspect the container. The driver will finalize the delivery location with you before offloading.

Standard shipping containers come in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes. A 20-foot container measures approximately 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.5 feet high, while a 40-foot container is about 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.5 feet high. There's also a 40-foot High Cube option that has the same length and width but is 9.5 feet high. Smaller containers, like 10-foot ones, are less commonly used for global shipping.

Items that cannot be shipped in a container include certain hazardous materials such as batteries, solvents, aerosols, and some household cleaners, which are prohibited. It is advisable to consult Heavy Equipment Transport for a detailed list of restricted items.

Pack household items carefully to prevent damage. Use bubble wrap for fragile items and place bulky goods at the bottom for stability.