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Freight rates from Shanghai to Colombo.

Ocean freight for 20GP, 40GP, 40HC from Shanghai (CNSHA) to Colombo (LKCMB), 13 to 40 days in transit. Prices as of 30 Oct 2026, with their source. Run a live search for a price you can book.

20GP from$3,150lowest seen, USD
40GP from$3,400lowest seen, USD
40HC from$3,400lowest seen, USD
Transit13-40 dscheduled, port to port

Container shipping cost Shanghai to Colombo

Ocean freight per container in USD. Carrier prices are port to port before local charges; live quotes keep the terms the provider quoted. Reference prices with date and source, not an offer.

ContainerSourceFromMedianBasis
20GPCarrier sailings$3,150$4,11430 sailings, updated 30 Oct 2026
40GPCarrier sailings$3,400$4,31426 sailings, updated 30 Oct 2026
40HCCarrier sailings$3,400$4,31430 sailings, updated 30 Oct 2026

Sources: published carrier prices on 30 sailings in Navo Freight Rates (updated 2 Oct 2026 to 30 Oct 2026). Page built 11 Nov 2026.

Cheapest upcoming sailings Shanghai to Colombo

Carrier list prices on scheduled departures. Space and the final price are confirmed when you book.

CarrierDepartsArrivesTransit20GP40GP40HC
MSC17 Nov 202627 Dec 202640 d$3,150$3,400$3,400
OOCL15 Nov 20261 Dec 202616 d$3,485$3,560$3,560
Yang Ming30 Nov 202624 Dec 202624 d$3,490$3,580$3,580
OOCL22 Nov 20268 Dec 202616 d$3,585$3,660$3,660
OOCL29 Nov 202615 Dec 202616 d$3,585$3,660$3,660
CMA CGMCma Cgm Zheng He · FAL/TVI11 Nov 20261 Dec 202620 d · via$3,514$3,714$3,714
CMA CGMOocl Luxembourg · CIX11 Nov 202625 Nov 202614 d$3,614$3,814$3,814
CMA CGMOocl Luxembourg · CIX14 Nov 202627 Nov 202613 d$3,614$3,814$3,814

Shipping lines from Shanghai to Colombo

6 carriers with priced sailings or quotes on this lane, lowest price per container.

CarrierSailingsFastest20GP40GP40HC
CMA CGM1913 d$3,514$3,714$3,714
Interasia415 d$3,450n/a$3,900
OOCL316 d$3,485$3,560$3,560
ONE228 d$3,695$3,990$3,990
MSC140 d$3,150$3,400$3,400
Yang Ming124 d$3,490$3,580$3,580

Get live quotes

Bookable prices for your box and date from carriers and forwarders on Navo, in one search.

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Describe the cargo once and let forwarders on Navo Mesh send you offers for Shanghai to Colombo.

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Route, distance and time

3,813 nm via Strait of Malacca, 11.4 days at sea. Route map, Red Sea alternative and ECA waters.

Shipping route Shanghai to Colombo

Container shipping cost from Shanghai to Colombo

The lowest container shipping cost from Shanghai to Colombo we have on record is $3,150 for a 20GP, $3,400 for a 40GP and $3,400 for a 40HC.

Across 30 priced sailings the 40ft rate runs from $3,400 to $4,414, with a median of $4,314. The spread is the carrier, the vessel and the week: the same box can cost 30% more on a different sailing.

Carrier prices are ocean freight, port to port, before origin and destination terminal handling, documentation, customs and any trucking.

Shipping from Shanghai to Colombo

Carriers list 30 departures with prices on this lane, the next on 11 Nov 2026.

Scheduled transit is 13 to 40 days port to port; 17 of the 30 sailings are direct, the rest tranship.

Carriers on the lane: CMA CGM, Interasia, OOCL, ONE, MSC and Yang Ming.

By sea Shanghai to Colombo is 3,813 nautical miles via Strait of Malacca, about 11.4 days of pure steaming at 14 knots. Liner services take longer because they call at other ports on the way.

Freight rates from Shanghai to Colombo: where the numbers come from

Prices come from Navo Rates: sailings with a published price, updated between 2 Oct 2026 and 30 Oct 2026. Each figure is a list price for one sailing, not an offer: availability and the final price are confirmed when you request a quote.

For a price you can book today, run a live search for Shanghai to Colombo above: it asks the carriers and forwarders connected to Navo at the moment you search.

FAQ

How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai to Colombo?

The lowest price we hold for Shanghai to Colombo is $3,150 per 20GP, $3,400 per 40GP and $3,400 per 40HC. Carrier prices are port to port, before local charges. Prices change every week; run a live search for today's rates.

How long does shipping from Shanghai to Colombo take?

Carriers schedule 13 to 40 days port to port on this lane. The sea distance is 3,813 nm, about 11.4 days at 14 knots without port calls.

Which shipping lines sail from Shanghai to Colombo?

CMA CGM, Interasia, OOCL, ONE, MSC and Yang Ming have priced sailings or quotes on this lane.

Can I book these freight rates?

No, they are reference prices from Navo Rates with their date. To book, run a live search or request a quote: the price you get there is confirmed by the carrier or forwarder.

What is included in the price?

Carrier prices cover ocean freight for one container, port to port. Terminal handling, documentation, customs clearance, inland transport and insurance are extra unless a live quote says it includes them.

More freight rates from Shanghai

More freight rates to Colombo

All lanes: freight rates by origin country. Distance and transit: Shanghai to Colombo shipping route. Other references: Shipping Routes Directory, Carrier Directory.