International Removalists and Shipping to Australia

Shipping Methods: Sea vs. Air vs. Road

### Sea Freight (Most Popular)

Options:
- FCL (Full Container Load): You rent an entire 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container. Price per cubic meter is lower if you fill it.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): You share a container with other shipments. Pay only for your space.

Cost:
- FCL 20ft ($5,000–$12,000 AUD): Holds 25–35 cubic meters (~ 500–700 boxes).
- FCL 40ft ($8,000–$18,000 AUD): Holds 50–65 cubic meters (~ 1,000–1,400 boxes).
- LCL per cubic meter ($300–$500 AUD): Better for 5–15 cubic meters (100–300 boxes).

Timeline:
- Packing: 1–2 weeks.
- Transit: 6–8 weeks by sea.
- Customs and quarantine: 2–4 weeks.
- Total: 10–14 weeks.

Pros:
- Cheapest per cubic meter for large shipments.
- Suitable for most household goods.
- Containers are secure.

Cons:
- Slow (two to three months).
- Unpredictable delays (port congestion, weather).
- Most affected by quarantine restrictions.

Best for: People relocating long-term with lots of belongings. Not suitable if you need items quickly.

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### Air Freight

Cost:
- $5–$15 per kilogram (typical household goods).
- 2,000 kg shipment = $10,000–$30,000 AUD.

Timeline:
- Packing: 3–5 days.
- Transit: 2–5 days by air.
- Customs: 2–5 days.
- Total: 1–2 weeks.

Pros:
- Fast (arrives in 1–2 weeks).
- Predictable timing.
- Less quarantine scrutiny (fresh produce/organics already degraded).

Cons:
- Expensive (3–5 times more than sea freight).
- Weight limits (carriers cap at 10,000 kg per shipment).
- Surcharges for hazardous or restricted items.

Best for: Critical items needed urgently. Not suitable for bulk household goods (too expensive).

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### Road Freight (Local Consolidation)

Available for: Shipments within the same region (e.g., London to Southampton, then sea freight). Usually combined with sea freight.

Cost: Usually included in FCL/LCL quote.

Best for: Intermediate step in sea freight consolidation.

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Cost Comparison: 500-Box Household (15 Cubic Meters)

| Method | Cost | Timeline | Best For |
|--------|------|----------|----------|
| LCL sea freight | $4,500–$7,500 | 10–14 weeks | Most households |
| FCL 20ft | $5,000–$12,000 | 10–14 weeks | If you have 20+ cubic meters |
| Air freight | $15,000–$22,500 | 1–2 weeks | Urgent items only |

For a typical household, LCL sea freight is best: $4,500–$7,500 for safe, affordable delivery in 10–14 weeks.

Major Removalist Companies: Comparison

### Starling Moving

Specializes in: International removals, household goods, cars.

Services: FCL, LCL, air freight, door-to-door, storage.

Cost: Competitive FCL/LCL rates. Free quotes online. Typical 20ft FCL: $6,000–$10,000 AUD.

Timeline: 10–14 weeks sea freight.

Pros:
- Experienced with Australia quarantine requirements.
- Door-to-door service (pickup from home, delivery to address).
- Comprehensive insurance available.

Cons:
- Mid-range pricing (not the cheapest).
- Customer service varies.

Best for: People wanting a full-service solution and willing to pay for reliability.

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### AGS Moving

Specializes in: Global relocations, corporate moves, household goods.

Services: FCL, LCL, air freight, pet/vehicle shipping.

Cost: Competitive. Typical 20ft FCL: $5,500–$9,000 AUD.

Timeline: 10–14 weeks sea freight.

Pros:
- Large global network (known for reliability).
- Good insurance options.
- Professional packing.

Cons:
- More expensive than smaller competitors.
- Requires detailed inventory.

Best for: Corporate relocations and people prioritizing reliability.

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### Pickfords

Specializes in: International moves, fine art, antiques.

Services: FCL, LCL, air freight, specialist packing.

Cost: Premium pricing. Typical 20ft FCL: $8,000–$14,000 AUD.

Timeline: 10–14 weeks sea freight.

Pros:
- Excellent for fragile/valuable items.
- Fine art and antique expertise.
- High-end insurance.

Cons:
- Most expensive option.
- Overkill for standard household goods.

Best for: People with valuable art, antiques, or fragile items.

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### MoveMe (Australian Comparison Service)

What it is: Connects you with multiple removalists for competitive quotes.

How it works:
1. Enter shipment details (weight, items).
2. Multiple removalists submit quotes.
3. Compare prices and services.

Cost: Quotes from multiple providers, typically $4,500–$12,000 for 15 cubic meters.

Pros:
- See multiple quotes at once.
- Competitive pressure keeps prices down.
- Can compare services side-by-side.

Cons:
- Quotes require detailed information.
- Still need to vet each provider.

Best for: Getting competitive quotes without contacting multiple companies individually.

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Quarantine and Customs: What Can and Cannot Go

Australia has strict quarantine rules. Many items are prohibited.

### PROHIBITED ITEMS

Don't ship these (will be confiscated and destroyed):
- Fresh food (fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy).
- Plants and seeds (except processed).
- Animal products (leather, fur, wool, bone).
- Timber furniture (except some hardwoods).
- Used soil, sand, or soil-contaminated items.
- Untreated wood packaging.
- Certain medicines (prescription meds okay; herbal supplements may be questioned).

Check the full list: BICON.agriculture.gov.au (searchable database).

### RESTRICTED ITEMS (May be allowed with documentation)

- Used electronics (usually okay if functional).
- Books, papers (okay).
- Used clothing (okay if clean).
- Used furniture (depends on material; hardwood okay; upholstered may be questioned).
- Metals, glass, ceramics (usually okay).
- Some medications (need prescriptions, doctor's letters).

Quarantine screening adds cost: Professional screening and treatment (if needed) can add $500–$2,000 depending on what's flagged.

Costs Beyond Shipping

Don't forget these when budgeting:

| Item | Cost |
|------|------|
| Professional packing | $500–$2,000 (included or extra depending on service) |
| Quarantine inspection/treatment | $200–$2,000 (if items flagged) |
| Customs clearance | $300–$1,000 (often included) |
| Storage (if needed) | $100–$300 per week |
| Unpacking and assembly | $500–$3,000 (optional) |
| Insurance | $300–$800 (optional, recommended) |

Total budget for typical move: $5,500–$13,000 (shipping + extras).

Common Mistakes

Shipping prohibited items. They'll be confiscated and destroyed. Check BICON database before packing.

Not declaring items accurately. Customs may levy penalties or confiscate goods if inventory is false. Be honest even if it slows the process.

Underestimating packing costs. Professional packing adds 20–30% to total cost. Budget for it.

Shipping items you can buy cheaper in Australia. Electronics, furniture, and appliances are cheaper in Australia. Don't ship them. Sell at home, buy in Australia.

Not budgeting for storage delays. If customs takes 4 weeks instead of 2, you may need storage. Rent a temp storage unit ($100–$300/week) to avoid delays.

Assuming uninsured shipments are safe. Ships sink, containers fall overboard, goods are stolen. Insure your shipment ($300–$800).

Booking too far in advance. Shipping rates fluctuate. Book 4–8 weeks before departure, not 6 months early.

How to Get Started

1. Check BICON database (bicon.agriculture.gov.au) for prohibited items. Remove them from packing list.

2. Get three quotes from Starling, AGS, and via MoveMe.

3. Compare:
- Price (FCL vs. LCL).
- Insurance (included or extra).
- Timeline (10–14 weeks sea is normal).
- Door-to-door vs. port-to-port.

4. Book 4–8 weeks before departure. Book too early = rates may drop; book too late = limited container space.

5. Create detailed inventory (list each box and its contents). Provide to removalist and keep a copy.

6. Pack your items (professionally or yourself). Ensure nothing prohibited is packed.

7. Arrange Australian address for delivery (rental agreement, friend's address, or storage unit).

8. Arrange arrival timeline. Items take 10–14 weeks by sea. Plan to arrive a few weeks before goods arrive.

For budgeting moving costs, see How Much Money Should I Bring to Australia. For arrival week logistics, check First Week in Australia Checklist.

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Migratio is not a financial adviser or insurance broker. This article is general information only. Read the product disclosure statement for any product you're considering.