The Short Answer
Exporting a combine harvester from the USA typically costs between $10,000 and $25,000 all-in, depending on the machine's size, your pickup location, and the destination country. Below, we break down every cost component so you know exactly where your money goes.
Cost Component 1: Inland Transport
Your combine needs to get from its current location to a packing and loading facility. Most combines ship on lowboy trailers.
- Rate: Approximately $6.50 per loaded mile for oversize agricultural equipment
- Chicago drayage: Add $1,800 if the shipment routes through the Chicago rail/port hub (common for Midwest origins)
- Typical range: $1,500-$4,500 depending on distance
Example: A John Deere S780 sitting on a farm in central Iowa, shipping to our Albion, IA facility — about 50 miles — would cost roughly $325 in local transport. The same combine sitting in Ohio would run closer to $4,000.
Cost Component 2: Dismantling, Packing, and Loading
This is the most labor-intensive part of the process. A combine harvester cannot ship fully assembled — the header, unloading auger, chopper, and often the cab or exhaust stack must be removed to fit inside a container.
- Dismantling and preparation: Includes fluid drainage, component removal, tagging, photography, and cleaning
- Container packing: Blocking, bracing, tie-downs, and hardware bagging inside a 40ft high-cube or flat rack
- Typical range: $3,000-$8,000 depending on machine size and complexity
Larger, more complex machines cost more. A Class 7 combine with a 12-row corn header requires more labor and more container space than a Class 5 with a 20-foot grain header. Machines that need cab removal or have extensive precision agriculture electronics add to the cost.
Cost Component 3: Ocean Freight
Ocean freight rates fluctuate with fuel prices, carrier capacity, and seasonal demand. Here are typical ranges by destination:
- Brazil (Santos): $4,000-$6,000 for a 40ft HC
- Turkey (Mersin): $3,500-$5,500
- UAE (Jebel Ali): $3,500-$5,000
- East Africa (Mombasa): $4,500-$7,000
- Central Asia (via Poti): $4,000-$6,500
These rates include the base ocean freight plus destination port charges. We negotiate directly with Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, and CMA CGM and always book the most cost-effective carrier for your route.
Flat rack shipments — needed for very large combines that cannot be disassembled enough to fit in a standard container — typically cost 20-40% more than a standard 40ft HC.
Cost Component 4: Documentation and Compliance
- Export documentation: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, AES/EEI filing — $500-$1,000
- Phytosanitary Certificate: USDA/APHIS inspection and certification — $200-$500
- Total documentation range: $500-$1,500
Phytosanitary certification is mandatory for agricultural equipment entering most countries. The equipment must be thoroughly cleaned of all soil and plant material before inspection.
Cost Component 5: Insurance
Marine cargo insurance typically runs 1-2% of the declared equipment value. For a combine valued at $50,000, that is $500-$1,000. We strongly recommend insuring every shipment — ocean transit is generally safe, but things can happen.
Putting It All Together
Here is a realistic example for a mid-size combine (like a Case IH 8250 or John Deere S770) shipping from Iowa to Santos, Brazil:
- Inland transport (local): $500
- Dismantling, packing, loading: $5,500
- Ocean freight (40ft HC to Santos): $4,800
- Documentation and compliance: $900
- Insurance: $600
- Total: approximately $12,300
For a larger combine shipping from the East Coast to Central Asia, the total could reach $20,000-$25,000.
Get an Exact Quote
Every shipment is different. Machine size, pickup location, destination, and current freight rates all affect pricing. Use our freight calculator for an instant estimate, or contact us for a detailed quote within 24 hours. No obligation, no hidden fees.