When you plan a move to the Canary Islands, a key decision arises that directly impacts the price and timeline: send your belongings by shared container (groupage) or book an exclusive container? This guide explains the technical differences, the actual price ranges, when each type of customer chooses one or the other, and offers a quick decision chart for your case.
What is an exclusive container
An exclusive container is a complete maritime container (20 or 40 feet) reserved entirely for a single move. Your cargo goes alone, is sealed at origin with a numbered seal and only opens at destination under your presence or authorized representative.
Dimensions and capacity
- 20-foot container: 5.9 m long × 2.35 m wide × 2.4 m high. Useful capacity ~28-33 m³. Suitable for moves of 25-35 m³ (dwelling of 80-110 m² approximately).
- 40-foot container: 12 m long × 2.35 m wide × 2.4 m high. Useful capacity ~58-66 m³. Suitable for moves of 50-65 m³ (large dwellings >150 m²).
- 40-foot High Cube container: like the previous one but 2.7 m high instead of 2.4. Useful ~70-75 m³.
What is a shared container (groupage)
A shared container brings together several small moves in the same container, each in its clearly defined area with pallets, straps and separators. The customer pays only for the space it occupies (in m³ or pallets).
Complete comparison: price, timeline and service
Price
Indicative ranges from the mainland (Cádiz, Barcelona, Valencia) to Tenerife or Las Palmas:
- Groupage 5 m³ (studio or small apartment): 850-1,300 €
- Groupage 10 m³ (1-bedroom apartment): 1,300-1,800 €
- Groupage 15 m³ (2-bedroom apartment): 1,700-2,200 €
- Groupage 20 m³ (average apartment): 2,100-2,600 €
- Exclusive 20-foot container (up to 30 m³): 2,800-3,800 €
- Exclusive 40-foot container (up to 60 m³): 4,200-5,800 €
Break-even point: around 22-25 m³, the exclusive container begins to be more profitable than paying groupage per extra m³.
Transit time
- Groupage: 10-15 days door to door. The maritime departure depends on the container being completed (there can be 1-3 days of waiting).
- Exclusive: 7-10 days door to door. Departure with fixed date on the agreed day, with no waiting.
Handling
- Groupage: your cargo is handled at origin to consolidate it with others + is separated at destination. More handling = more risk (although RC insurance covers it).
- Exclusive: single loading at origin, single unloading at destination. Minimum handling, maximum protection.
Fixed delivery date
- Groupage: estimated date with a margin of ±2-3 days
- Exclusive: fixed date that is respected except in cases of force majeure (maritime storm)
When to choose each option
Groupage is for you if:
- Your move occupies less than 22 m³
- Your budget is tight and you prefer to save 800-1,500 €
- You have flexibility on the arrival date (±3 days)
- Your cargo is robust (without extra delicate items such as works of art, antiques, musical instruments)
- It is a standard personal move (private home)
Exclusive is for you if:
- Your move occupies more than 25 m³ or you want to take advantage to include more things
- You need a fixed delivery date (job change, delivery of keys to the new home)
- You transport high-value or very delicate items (piano, works of art, collector wines)
- You want to put your car inside with the move
- It is a company move, offices or commercial stock
- You want to minimize the risk of damage from multiple handling
Special case: move with vehicle + belongings
The exclusive container is the ideal option when you want to transport your car together with the complete move. It fits perfectly:
- 20 feet: 1 car + ~10 m³ of move in the rest of the space
- 40 feet: 1 car + ~40 m³ of move, or 2 cars + ~25 m³
Save ~30-50% compared to sending car and move separately. More info at: vehicle transport in containers.
Frequently asked questions about shared vs exclusive container
Do I have to be present during the loading of the exclusive container?
It is not mandatory but it is recommended that you or an authorized representative sign the inventory at origin. In groupage it is not necessary: the Horizont Atlantic team records your cargo photographically and sends you the report by email.
Can I put anything in an exclusive container?
No. According to international maritime IMDG regulations, there are prohibited materials: flammable liquids (gasoline, solvents, solvent-based paints), compressed gases (cylinders, fire extinguishers), explosives and loose large lithium batteries. Also not perishables or live plants (Plant Health control). Everything else fits.
What if my move is between 20 and 25 m³?
It's the gray area. If price is the priority, groupage. If the fixed date or extra protection matters more, 20-foot exclusive container. We recommend requesting a quote for both options to compare with your specific figures.
Does groupage mean they open my boxes?
No. Your cargo goes in a delimited area of the container with pallets and straps, and is separated from the other moves with rigid separators. The boxes are not opened or mixed. Only complete packages are handled.
Do I pay IGIC or AIEM for the maritime move?
The transport service pays reduced IGIC (3%) instead of VAT. The transported goods pay AIEM when entering the Canary Islands, but if you move due to change of residence you can benefit from the AIEM exemption and NOT pay tariffs. More info: Canary Islands tax regime.
In what cases would you NOT recommend a shared container?
When you transport very high-value items (piano, antiques >5,000 €, works of art), large vehicle with voluminous move, or when your arrival date is critical and does not allow margin. In those cases, exclusive is worth the extra cost.
How to choose well: our advice
After 15 years of doing moves to the Canary Islands, the practical rule we apply:
- Moves up to 18 m³ → groupage almost always
- Moves 18-25 m³ → depends on date + cargo value
- Moves over 25 m³ → exclusive almost always
- Moves with car → exclusive always
- Company moves → exclusive always
Request a comparative quote
At Horizont Atlantic we send you a quote that includes both options (groupage + exclusive) so you can see the exact difference with YOUR figures. Request a quote from us indicating estimated volume, target date and origin, and we will respond within 24-48 hours.
Groupage is also the option with the least environmental impact per cubic meter, because it takes advantage of a container that was already going to travel. If you want to organize the entire move with that criterion, check out the guide on sustainable moving.
