Do you provide drayage from the Port of Virginia or Norfolk terminals?

Yes. We handle container drayage and delivery from the Port of Virginia, Norfolk International Terminals, and nearby facilities.

Can you provide intermodal delivery across Virginia?

Yes. We coordinate intermodal transport for containers to all regions of Virginia.

Do you move both loaded and empty containers?

Yes. We haul loaded and empty containers with full compliance and securement.

What container sizes do you haul in Virginia?

We haul 20ft, 40ft, high-cube, and modified containers statewide.

Virginia Shipping Container Transport Company

Virginia Container Movers Services Include:

Intermodal Container Transport • Conex Container Shipping • Standard 20ft and 40ft Container Moves • Drayage Services • Container Loading and Offloading • And More!

No Compromises. Full Results.

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23,000+

Carriers
Nationwide

16+

Years of
Experience

130+

Logistics
Experts

Container Moving

Conex Container

Container Home Movers

Flat Rack Container

Open Top Container

Side Lifter Loading Services

Why choose HET for transporting containers in Virginia?

HET, a Virginia transportation company, has delivered 874 shipping containers this year with a 97.7% on-time delivery rate.

Heavy Equipment Transport is a trusted shipping containrer company that manages over 1,500 container shipments annually, helping clients save around 18% on costs. We are fully licensed and insured to ensure smooth operations.

As a recognized partner to government agencies, we have been nominated to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for seven consecutive years. With 16 years of experience and a team of 140 logistics professionals, we operate in Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia.

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Expertise you
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Need specialized heavy equipment shipping?
Our logistics agents have the solutions you need.

16+ Logistics Experts

23+ Carriers Nationwide

Professional Container Transport Services in Virginia that is GSA certified

Heavy Equipment Transport has been moving shipping containers in Virginia for over ten 13 years, offering safe and reliable services. Our modern trailers allow us to efficiently assist multiple customers at once.

Each of our shipments is handled by a dedicated representative who handles all necessary paperwork, ensures on-time delivery, and selects the appropriate trailer based on the container's weight and size. You can contact your assigned representative anytime for updates. We offer convenient container moving services from door to door or from terminal to terminal within Virginia.

We also offer cranes and professional teams to help load and unload your containers for an additional fee. Transport your loaded or unloaded container in Virginia today! Call us at (888) 730-2951.

Reliable and well-insured container transport services in Virginia.

We send shipping containers that can be empty, partly filled, or completely full, making sure they arrive safely at their destination. Each container is fully insured, so if there’s any damage during transport, you can get compensation.

You can count on Heavy Equipment Transport for dependable service, as our drivers are familiar with the best routes to ensure timely deliveries. We also provide a Bill of Lading (BOL) form, which serves as a reference when the delivery is made.

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The most important ports for shipping containers transportation in Virginia

The Port of Virginia is one of the top six container ports in the United States. It includes important terminals like Norfolk International Terminals, Virginia International Gateway and Portsmouth Marine Terminal, all located in the Hampton Roads area.

This port is vital for international trade, featuring deep channels for large ships and connections to inland areas for efficient product distribution.

Key Container Terminals in Virginia

Virginia International Gateway (VIG) (Portsmouth): Seen as one of the most advanced and efficient ports for handling shipping containers on the East Coast.
Norfolk International Terminals (NIT): The principal and largest terminal, which manages a substantial portion of the port's container traffic.
Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT): This terminal primarily handles container and breakbulk cargo.
Newport News Marine Terminal (NNMT): The organization manages breakbulk, bulk and select specialized container cargo.

Inland and Supplementary Ports in Virginia

Virginia Inland Port (VIP) (Front Royal): The system establishes a connection with the primary terminals through rail infrastructure, thereby facilitating the efficient transportation of cargo to the Shenandoah Valley and adjacent regions.
Richmond Marine Terminal (RMT): A port located along the James River that supports the transportation of goods using barges and shipping containers.

These shipping terminals in Virginia have deep water channels measuring 50 feet, and they can be deepened to 55 feet if needed. They support almost 30 international shipping companies and offer direct connections to important rail networks, including CSX and Norfolk Southern.

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Regulations and Permits for Transporting Oversized/Overweight Loads and containers in Virginia

In Virginia, transporting heavy or large loads requires special permits for loads exceeding 13 feet 6 inches in height, 8 feet 6 inches in width, or 80,000 pounds in weight. Apply online at least 5 business days prior to transport.There are specific rules for transporting sealed containers, forest products and construction equipment, so make sure you're aware of those as well.

Important Regulations and Thresholds in Virginia

Legal Dimensions: The vehicle has a maximum height of 13 feet 6 inches and a width of 8 feet 6 inches. It possesses a maximum capacity for total weight of 80,000 pounds.
Permit Requirements:Any load that surpasses these specified limits necessitates the acquisition of a temporary permit. Any load that surpasses these specified limits necessitates the acquisition of a temporary permit.
Container Specifics: Special overweight permits are accessible for sealed, seagoing containers transporting to and from a seaport, pursuant to the provisions outlined in Virginia Code § 46.2-1141.
Forest Products: Special permits allow increased weights for forest products, including up to 50,000 lbs for tri-axle groupings and 90,000 lbs for five-axle combinations (see § 46.2-1148.1).
Construction Equipment: You can get permits for empty rubber-tired haulers or loaders that move on their own. The fees for these permits depend on an evaluation process.

Weight and Safety Restrictions in Virginia

Axle Weights: The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles outlines standard weight restrictions for vehicles, specifying a limit of 20,000 pounds for single axles and 34,000 pounds for tandem axles.
Bridge Formula: The Federal Bridge Formula, expressed as $W=500\left(\frac{LN}{N-1}+12N+36\right)$, is used to determine compliance with weight regulations.
Route Restrictions: Permits may specify certain routes to ensure that infrastructure can support the load, according to Virginia law.

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Affordable and Safe Container Shipping Services in Virginia

Heavy Equipment Transport offers affordable container transport services in Virginia. The cost of shipping a container depends on the distance traveled, weight, size, route, and season. Our shipping quotes are free and accurate. In addition, we offer expedited services for clients in need of urgent container moving services. To transport a shipping container to and from every city in Virginia, contact one of our agents through our toll-free number (888) 730-2951.

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FAQs About Shipping Container Transport in Virginia by Category

Transporting shipping containers in Virginia generally costs between $2.65 and $3.00 for every mile traveled. This applies to both 20-foot and 40-foot containers. The price covers the use of special trucks that can handle the containers and ensures that everything follows local rules about weight limits, which range from 37,500 to 43,500 pounds.

When planning for transport, it's important to think about factors like how far the containers need to travel, the impact of winter weather, and whether other types of transportation, like trains, could be used as part of the journey.

Cost and Logistics

What is the average cost to move a container in Virginia?

Shipping containers in Virginia cost between $2.65 and $3.00 per mile. For local moves using 8 to 16-foot containers, prices range from $150 to $950. Longer, cross-state moves cost between $2,500 and $7,100.

What factors affect the total cost of transporting shipping containers in Virginia?

The total cost for transporting shipping containers in Virginia can fluctuate based on various factors, including the weight of your items, the distance of your move, the size of the container, and the time of year.

What is an example of intermodal transport in Virginia?

A key example of intermodal transport in Virginia is the Virginia Inland Port in Front Royal, which connects trucks and trains to the shipping terminals in the Virginia Beach area.

The system works in three stages. First, shipping containers arrive at deep-water marine terminals in the Virginia Beach area — including Norfolk International Terminals and The Port of Virginia — via large ocean-going cargo ships. From there, containers are transferred onto Norfolk Southern or CSX intermodal trains, usually double-stacked, and transported approximately 220 miles by rail to the Virginia Inland Port, bypassing highway congestion. Finally, containers are offloaded from trains and loaded onto trucks for delivery to destinations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Maryland.

The key advantage of this system is that cargo remains in the same container throughout the entire journey, eliminating the need to unpack and repack between modes of transport.

Container Types and Sizes

What are the standard container sizes in Virginia?

In Virginia, the most common shipping container sizes are 20 feet and 40 feet. These containers are widely available and used for transporting goods, storing items, and a variety of other purposes.

What can be shipped in a container to or from Virginia?

Containers shipped to and from Virginia, such as those handled at the Port of Virginia, carry a wide variety of goods. These include household items, vehicles, machinery, construction materials, and medicines.

Standard 20-foot and 40-foot containers handle regular cargo, while specialized containers with open tops accommodate oversized items, and refrigerated units handle temperature-sensitive products.

What items are prohibited from being shipped in containers to or from Virginia?

When shipping containers to or from Virginia, certain items are not permitted. These include hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable substances, poisons, aerosol spray cans, and paints. Illegal drugs, firearms, live animals, and perishable food items are also prohibited.

Certain specialty items, such as animal fur from dogs or cats and some agricultural products, are also restricted. Virginia enforces strict rules around transporting waste by water to prevent spills and contamination.

How much weight can a 20-foot shipping container hold in Virginia?

In Virginia, a standard 20-foot shipping container can typically carry up to 38,000 pounds (approximately 17,236 kilograms) when placed on a regular truck chassis. On a sturdier truck with a tridem axle configuration, the capacity can increase to between 44,000 and 46,000 pounds (roughly 19,958 to 20,865 kilograms).

While containers are structurally capable of holding more than 61,000 pounds, Virginia sets load limits for safety reasons.

Delivery and Site Preparation

How are containers transported and delivered in Virginia?

In Virginia, containers are moved by truck — using flatbeds, tilt-beds, and sidelifters — or by rail, primarily from major hubs like the Port of Virginia (NIT and VIG). Deliveries are typically made using tilt-bed or Landoll trailers, ensuring a ground-level drop-off. Major interstates including I-95, I-64, and I-81 serve as the primary delivery routes throughout the state.

What is required to prepare a site for a container in Virginia?

Preparing a site for a container in Virginia involves ensuring the ground is level and dry, often with a gravel pad or concrete foundation. Additional steps include clearing debris, ensuring 70 feet of straight-line access with at least 16 feet of height clearance, and obtaining any required local permits.

Regulations and Safety

When is an overweight permit needed in the state of Virginia?

In Virginia, a special overweight permit is required when a vehicle's total weight exceeds 80,000 pounds, or when any individual axle carries more than 20,000 pounds, or when tandem axles carry more than 34,000 pounds combined.

Permits are also required for transporting certain load types, such as construction fill, farm goods, forest products, or animal feed, each of which has its own specific weight limits.

What are the rules for naming an ISO shipping container in Virginia?

Shipping containers in Virginia follow international naming standards, which include a four-letter owner code, a six-digit serial number, a check digit, and a designation for size and type. Local regulations also emphasize clear labeling, proper documentation of contents, and ensuring containers are watertight for storage use.

Are there any restrictions on loading shipping containers in Virginia?

In Virginia, shipping containers on major highways may weigh up to 80,000 pounds, or up to 51,000 pounds with a special permit depending on configuration. Only one shipping container is permitted per property in both commercial and residential zones.

Containers must be watertight and keep all contents secure. They must also be positioned in a way that allows for safe and practical delivery access.

OUR RECENT EQUIPMENT SHIPMENTS

Heavy Equipment Transport is the best container transport company in Virginia. This 15,000 pounds and 41.6L 8W 9.6H high cube container was transported safely from Wildomar, CA, and delivered to Big Stone Gap, VA. Janelle Foltz is experienced and will get your container delivered anywhere on time. Call for a free quote.

SHIPPING A 40FT HIGH CUBE CONTAINER ON A HOTSHOT TRAILER

Transporting a 40ft high cube container.

Origin: Wildomar, CA

Destination:Big Stone Gap, VA

Specialist: Janelle Foltz

Contact Janelle: (303) 482-1811

Shipping Container Transport Dimensions and Specifications

Container Size/Type	Dimensions Internally (L x W x H)	Door Opening (W x H)	Cubic-Capacity	Weight Capacity
20FT	19.32 x 7.70 x 7.74ft	7.64 x 7.51ft	104.98ft³	47840.31lb
40FT	39.53 x 7.70 x 7.74ft	7.64 x 7.51ft	216.53ft³	58422.49lb
20FT Flat Rack with sides	19.32 x 7.70 x 7.31ft	Side Opening W - 8.49ft	98.42ft³	58422.49lb
40FT Flat Rack with Sides	39.53 x 7.70 x 7.31ft	Side Opening W - 8.49ft	206.69ft³	7936.64lb
40FT Flat Rack without sides	40.02 x 7.70 x 2.13ft	Side Opening W - 38.25ft	219.81ft³ Max Height 25.39ft	85980.28lb

Container Size/Type

Dimensions Internally
(L x W x H)

Door Opening
(W x H)

Cubic-Capacity

Weight Capacity

20FT

19.32 x 7.70 x 7.74ft

7.64 x 7.51ft

104.98ft³

47840.31lb

40FT

39.53 x 7.70 x 7.74ft