GESHAFind my home →How much does it cost to import a modular home?
The listed home price is only one part of a completed international project. A useful budget separates the factory product, international logistics and destination-site work instead of hiding them inside one unreliable number.
From configuration to move-in
Typical sequence for an internationally delivered modular home. Site preparation advances in parallel while the home is built and shipped.
- 01ConfigureModel, layout and destinationAdvisor stage
- 02OrderScope, quotation and depositSpecification lock
- 03FabricateFactory production and QA25–75 days
- 04ExportFactory transfer to ShekouAbout 1 week
- 05Ocean freightVoyage to destination portAbout 2–8 weeks
- 06Clear & installCustoms, inland delivery and placementAbout 2–3 weeks
Planning ranges are illustrative and non-binding. Production, sailing, customs and installation schedules are confirmed for each order and destination.
1. The factory product
The listed price generally covers the home, factory-installed fixtures, air conditioning, water heater, doors and the items stated in the model profile. Appliances such as a refrigerator, stove or washer can often be added; a basic appliance group may add approximately $1,500, subject to specification.
2. Export and ocean freight
Freight depends on whether the home fits inside a standard 40HQ container, travels as multiple protected modules or requires an open oversized solution. Size, weight, carrier capacity, fuel, routing and destination all matter.
As a planning reference, Gesha observed Northern European freight indications around $6,000–$8,000 in July 2025 and approximately $12,000–$14,000 by summer 2026. A Shenzhen-to-Ireland movement was approximately €18,000 in freight, while an open-container Rotterdam reference for a fully assembled Vista 38 was approximately €12,000. These are historical planning references, not current offers.
3. Customs and destination charges
- Cargo insurance
- Import duty and VAT or sales tax
- Customs-broker and documentation fees
- Port and terminal handling
- Container or equipment handling
- Storage or demurrage if clearance is delayed
4. Inland delivery and installation
Budget for transport from the destination port, route surveys where needed, crane or forklift services, unloading, assembly labor and final positioning. A fully assembled home may need an articulated truck and crane; a modular shipment may transfer to smaller vehicles but require more site assembly.
5. Site and statutory costs
- Planning or zoning review
- Building permits and engineering
- Survey, soil review and drainage
- Foundation or pier system
- Electrical, water, wastewater and data connections
- Local contractor and inspection costs
Build a useful estimate
Treat every early project total as a range. Confirm the factory scope first, then request route-specific logistics and local site quotations. Gesha’s calculator is a planning tool; actual costs are confirmed after the order configuration and destination requirements are known.