Moving to Australia requires careful planning and preparation to ensure that your possessions arrive safely and on time.
From navigating customs regulations and obtaining the necessary permits to choosing a reputable shipping company and packing your items securely, there are many factors to consider when relocating and shipping to Australia.
As Australia is a big country, the waiting time varies depending on where you will be relocating to and where you will be shipping from. Hence, requesting a quote from multiple moving companies is recommended before you select an option. By asking an expatriate or requesting testimonials, an accurate arrival time will be provided.
There are two ways to transfer your personal belongings and household consignments to Australia: sea or air freight. Sea freight is the most commonly used method as it is a cheaper alternative where belongings are billed per container.
Air freight is known to be much quicker to send belongings over but much more expensive than using the sea transport method. This is because it only takes a few days for your consignments to arrive in Australia, whereas sea freight takes at least a few weeks. Belongings are also calculated by weight (per kilogram), so anything weighing above 500kg is costly. Remember that the heavier a certain consignment is, the more difficult it is to move and manage on an aircraft if you select the air freight method.
Generally, it is best to decide which type of freight service by the urgency of your move to Australia and when you fly to Australia. You can talk to your moving home consultant in advance, as they inform you of the best method to manage your shipment.
Below are some international removal companies that will make your moving experience for you or your family to Australia a lot smoother and quicker.
Allied: The Careful Movers (any country to Australia)
Chess Moving (any country to Australia)
Conroy Removals (any country to Australia)
Crown Relocations (any country to Australia)
John Ryan Removals (any country to Australia)
General process of sending belongings to Australia
There are numerous steps before, during and after sending your belongings to Australia.
Before
You will be asked to complete a pre-move survey so both parties can fully understand and discuss all aspects required for the international move. The survey helps your consultant to identify the volume of belongings you plan to take, any special requirements, restrictions, deadlines, travel arrangements, contact details, packing arrangements and shipping method preference.
From there, a detailed quote will be provided and sent to you. The information included in the quote includes all the answers you need, such as the volume of belongings information, method of transportation, move information, packing requirements, price and timeline.
There are other options for communicating with your moving specialist by calling them and requesting an in-person meeting.
During
After the planning, documentation, and times have been arranged, well-trained staff will come to your current address and pack up your belongings and house consignments to prepare for shipping. If boxes are packed on your own, you must use the boxes provided for you as you need professional quality boxes for safe transportation. The packed belongings and household consignments will then be transported and loaded onto the appropriate shipping line container. Afterwards, it will be transferred to the shipping company’s warehouse for security and sealing, transported to the port, and onto the vessel/aircraft to ship to Australia. Your moving consultant will provide the local custom documentation and ensure you understand Australia’s rules and restricted items.
After
Your moving company will always be informed of where your container is during transportation and when it arrives in Australia. Once your container has been cleared, your moving consultant will contact you to arrange a delivery date for your consignments. On the day, the staff will help you unload, place, unwrap all furniture, and get rid of packing materials and boxes to help you settle in more quickly to your new accommodation in Australia.
The process for air freight will be the same as sea freight. The only difference is that your belongings will be packed in a protective airfreight carton pallet, suction wrap, or with a particular plywood case. When your moving company transports your belongings, they will be sent to the airport, ready to be moved onto the aircraft for departure to Australia.
Preparing before moving day
You must prepare specific appliances a few days before the official moving day as certain appliances can be easily damaged during transportation to Australia. Ensure that washing machines are properly maintained, as they will malfunction if not prepared well for the journey. They must be clean, emptied and disconnected, and transit bolts must be used to lock the drum in place. Fridges must be fully drained, emptied and cleaned, including defrosting the freezer and removing detachable shelves. If an appliance has a door that can be easily opened, it will be locked ajar, organised by your moving company.
If you transfer animal bedding, remove residual pet hair, and clean thoroughly.
Some people prefer to pack their belongings, so boxes are provided and supplied by the moving company if you use this alternative method. You cannot offer your personal packaged boxes as they must be appropriate professional quality boxes safe for transportation to Australia.
Only small items such as clothes, books, linen, and other easily transported items can be packed by you. Other fragile and oversized items must be taken care of by the moving company you have selected. Keep in mind that moving companies are never responsible for any boxes in boxes packed by you.
It is strongly recommended to record what is packed in each box for easy reference. This means numbering each box and writing down what you have stored in them for easy unpacking. Your moving company will strongly advise you to write the items on the box. For example, ‘Box 14 – kitchen appliances – kettle and toaster’.
Items restricted in Australia
Items entering Australia must be subject to biosecurity control.
The items you are restricted to bring in Australia are:
- Weapons
- Gas bottles
- Aerosols
- Solvents
- Fresh food
- Live plants
- Prohibited/restricted seed
- Unidentified seeds, including spices
- Unprocessed goods for plants
- Goods knowingly infested with plants or a disease
Click on the link here for an extended list of restricted items when coming to Australia.
You can also check the Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) to find if an item is permitted entry into Australia. It will also advise you if it is possible to acquire an import permit for certain items or if there are any additional requirements.
Shipping your vehicle
If you are considering shipping your vehicle to Australia, there are some requirements you need to be aware of. All vehicles imported into Australia must require an Import Approval permit from the ‘Department of Infrastructure’ before they can be transported. The application may take up to 60 business days to be assessed, so ensure that you allow enough time for your approval before importing your vehicle to Australia.
Click on the link below for more information on importing a vehicle to Australia.
8 Steps to Importing a Vehicle | Australian Government
Click here to access the online application for an Import Approval form.
When importing motor vehicles, you must ensure the car is clean and free of contamination before arriving in Australia. Before your vehicle is released from the Australian Customs Control, biosecurity officers will inspect road vehicles for cleanliness on arrival. Keep in mind that you are responsible for all inspection charges.
Every vehicle will also need to have an Australian Design Rule (ADR) compliance and require an examination by an Engineer to make sure all specifications pass the assessment. After, you will be required to obtain a Safety Certificate and register your vehicle for use on the road. Contact and talk to your moving consultant regarding this, as some companies do not arrange a vehicle inspection for you.
Click on the link below for more information on importing motor vehicles.
Importing motor vehicles, motorcycles | Australian Government
Generally, people who have brand-new cars ship their vehicles to Australia. This is because people will always face financial losses when selling their cars before relocating to Australia. Furthermore, customers who import their vehicles always consider using them for a long time. Henceforth, international transport shipping companies’ typical clients are those with newer cars. A tip to keep in mind is to check if spare parts for your vehicle can be easily accessed in Australia.
Container options when shipping motor vehicles
When shipping motor vehicles, container shipment is generally the only option available for non-running vehicles. Though all containers involve securing your car in an appropriate container, there are two container options you must select from.
Sole use container
The sole use container is where your vehicle is secured in its separate container for the entire journey to a destination. This is recommended for individuals who have high-performing and high-value cars. Moreover, this option is more prevalent if keeping to the budget is not a top priority to ensure maximum safety and protection.
Roll on/Roll off (RORO)
The RORO service is when the vehicle is driven onto the vessel and secured inside the ship. Your vehicle must be safe to drive though registration is not required. Though it has more risk, RORO is the only option if your vehicle is an oversized cargo. Remember that the vehicle does not get an inspection report done at the port, and the RORO option is only responsible for loading and unloading the vehicle. Therefore, vehicles being shipped with this method can only be insured for total loss, as there is no way to determine whether there was damage before departure.
Once your vehicle arrives at the port in Australia, it is your responsibility to pick it up unless an arrangement has been made with your international removal company.
Shared container service
International moving companies will strongly recommend the shared container service to transport cars the most as it is a cost-effective way to ship your vehicle. This is because four cars are loaded into one 40ft high cube container where you only pay the costs for your car. Vehicles are carefully loaded and stowed correctly in the container, where a protective frame is constructed around the vehicle for maximum protection.
Costs to be aware of
All quotes provided to clients exclude services such as storage in Australia, rent at the port if there are import duties, unexpected cleaning fees, and quarantine examinations. It is essential to discuss the costs that may apply to your belongings with your moving consultant to understand the additional expenses you may have to pay.
Vehicle costs
Before importing a vehicle, it is essential to consider the pre-shipment costs, freight and insurance, storage and delivery charges, customs duties, and GST. It also includes logistics service provider charges, customs brokers charges, wharf and transport charges, processing charges, and costs to have your vehicle meet the state and insurance criteria.
Click on the link below to see a complete list. It also shows what aspects you must consider when importing a vehicle to Australia.
Importing a motor vehicle | Australian Government
It is essential to check what type your vehicle is and whether it is possible to import.
Moving to Australia checklist
The Moving to Australia checklist compiled by ConsultANZ will help you stay organized, comply with regulations and remember anything important required for your move to Australia.
Download the Moving to Australia checklist below.
