Costs, Transit Times and Container Shipping Companies
Shipping a container from Australia to Canada typically costs between $3,500 and $15,000 AUD, with sea freight transit times of 30 to 60 days depending on your route. Whether you are moving a full household or a few rooms of furniture, choosing the right container type, full container (FCL) or shared container (LCL), and comparing quotes from specialist freight forwarders are the two most important decisions you will make. This guide covers shipping costs, container options, transit times, car shipping, and everything you need to prepare your move.
Sea freight from Australia to Canada costs between $3,500 and $15,000 AUD for a standard container, depending on volume, route, and services included.
Transit time is typically 30 to 60 days port to port, with LCL shipments often taking slightly longer.
FCL (full container) is best for moves above 15 m³; LCL (shared container) is more cost-effective for smaller volumes.
Shipping a car from Australia to Canada costs $3,000 – $7,000 AUD and requires compliance with Transport Canada import standards.
New Canadian residents may qualify for duty-free import of household goods under the Settler’s Effects tariff — confirm eligibility before you ship.
How to Ship from Australia to Canada?
Shipping a container from Australia to Canada involves four key steps: choosing the right container type, finding a specialist freight forwarder, preparing your customs documents, and booking your shipment.
Estimate your volume to determine whether you need a full container (FCL) or a shared container (LCL/groupage).
Get multiple quotes from international freight forwarders or removal companies specialising in the Australia–Canada route.
Prepare your documents: packing inventory, proof of ownership, and customs declaration forms for Canadian border services (CBSA).
Book your shipment and confirm your pickup and delivery dates, port of loading, and port of destination.
Clear customs on arrival: all shipments entering Canada must pass through the Canada Border Services Agency. A detailed inventory list is essential to avoid delays.
Arrange delivery from the destination port to your new address in Canada.
Sirelo tip: Most freight forwarders handle customs paperwork as part of their service. Confirm this when comparing quotes.
International Shipping Companies to Canada
Comparing services, prices and users’ opinions on the different shipping companies is key in making a decision. While the price has to be an important factor, consider other aspects such as customer service, reliability and quality to avoid unexpected situations. Check out this top international removalists:
International removalsNational movingCar & Vehicle transportPiano transportPet transport
Associations
AFRAIAM
What customers are saying
Communication(1)
Professional(1)
Fast move(1)
Different Types of Containers
The two main container options for shipping from Australia to Canada are a full container load (FCL) and a shared container (LCL). The right choice depends on your volume, budget, and timeline.
Container Type
Best For
Key Features
Full Container Load (FCL)
Large household moves (3+ bedrooms)
Exclusive use of a 20ft or 40ft container; faster transit; more secure
Shared Container (LCL/Groupage)
Small to medium moves (1–2 bedrooms)
You pay only for the space you use; lower cost; slightly longer transit
20ft Container
Medium households
Holds roughly 25–30 m³ of household goods
40ft Container
Large households
Holds roughly 55–60 m³; most cost-effective for big moves
Sirelo tip: FCL is generally recommended for moves above 15 m³. Below that, a shared container (LCL) is usually the more affordable option.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Container to Canada?
Shipping a container from Australia to Canada typically costs between $3,500 and $15,000 AUD, depending on the container size, departure city, destination port, and any additional services such as packing, insurance, or door-to-door delivery.
For a 40ft container, expect costs to be roughly 30–50% higher than the 20ft equivalent. LCL shipments are typically priced per cubic metre (m³), with rates ranging from $150 to $350 AUD per m³ depending on the route.
Key cost factors
Container type: FCL or LCL (shared)
Volume: the more you ship, the higher the base cost
Route: departure city in Australia and destination city in Canada
Services included: packing, crating, insurance, customs clearance, delivery to home
Seasonality: rates can fluctuate depending on demand and fuel costs
Sea Freight Shipping Rates by City
The table below shows estimated shipping costs from major Australian cities to key Canadian destinations for a standard 20ft container:
Route
Estimated Cost (AUD)
Sydney – Vancouver
$4,500 – $8,500
Sydney – Toronto
$5,000 – $9,500
Melbourne – Vancouver
$4,500 – $8,500
Melbourne – Toronto
$5,000 – $9,500
Perth – Vancouver
$5,000 – $9,500
Perth – Toronto
$5,500 – $10,500
Updated April 2026. These figures are estimates for a 20ft FCL container. LCL (shared container) rates are lower and calculated per cubic metre.
Sirelo tip: Comparing multiple quotes from specialist freight forwarders is the most reliable way to get an accurate price for your specific move.
Shipping costs from to
20ft Container
40ft Container
What Is the Cheapest Way to Ship from Australia to Canada?
The cheapest way to ship from Australia to Canada is a shared container (LCL), where you pay only for the space your belongings take up rather than renting an entire container.
Other ways to reduce your shipping costs:
Ship LCL (groupage) if your volume is under 15 m³
Compare at least three to five quotes from different freight forwarders
Avoid peak seasons (summer in Australia, typically December–February) when rates are higher
Reduce your volume by selling or donating furniture before the move and buying new items in Canada
Pack yourself rather than paying for professional packing services, where the freight company allows it
Ship to the nearest port to your destination (e.g. Vancouver for western Canada, Montreal for eastern Canada) to reduce inland delivery costs
For very small shipments: boxes and personal items rather than full furniture; an international courier service may be cheaper than sea freight, though transit times will vary.
How Long Does It Take to Ship from Australia to Canada?
Sea freight from Australia to Canada typically takes 30 to 60 days, depending on the departure port, the destination port, and whether your shipment is FCL or LCL.
Route
Estimated Transit Time
Sydney / Melbourne – Vancouver
25 – 40 days
Sydney / Melbourne – Toronto
35 – 55 days
Sydney / Melbourne – Montreal
35 – 55 days
Brisbane – Vancouver
28 – 42 days
Perth – Vancouver
28 – 45 days
These are port-to-port estimates. Door-to-door delivery adds time for customs clearance and inland transport.
LCL shipments often take longer than FCL because the container needs to be consolidated at origin and deconsolidated at destination, which can add 5 to 15 extra days to the total transit time.
Additional factors that can affect shipping time from Australia to Canada
Customs clearance processing by the CBSA
Port congestion at Vancouver, Montreal, or Toronto
Inland delivery distance from the destination port
Sirelo tip: Plan for a buffer of one to two weeks beyond the estimated transit time to avoid issues with accommodation and essential items.
Canadian customs declaration form (B4 or B4A for household goods)
Proof of residence in Canada (rental agreement, utility bill, or confirmation of address)
Packing your furniture
Disassemble large furniture where possible to save space and reduce risk of damage
Wrap all fragile items in protective materials
Label all boxes clearly with contents and destination room
Photograph high-value items before packing for insurance purposes
Do not pack restricted items: food, plants, soil, certain animal products
On arrival in Canada:
Confirm customs clearance with your freight forwarder
Inspect your shipment for damage before signing delivery documents
Keep all customs receipts and clearance paperwork
Key Canadian import rule: if you are moving to Canada as a new resident, household goods imported within the first year of arrival may be eligible for duty-free entry under the Settler’s Effects tariff, confirm eligibility with your freight forwarder or the CBSA.
How to Ship a Car from Australia to Canada?
To ship a car from Australia to Canada, but it involves significant costs and strict compliance requirements at both ends.
Estimated cost to ship a car from Australia to Canada: $3,000 – $7,000 AUD, depending on vehicle size, departure port, and transport method (RoRo or container).
Transport Method
Description
Typical Cost
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)
Vehicle driven onto a specialised car carrier vessel
Lower cost; vehicle exposed during transit
Container (shared or full)
Vehicle secured inside a shipping container
Higher cost; more protection
Key requirements for importing a car into Canada
The vehicle must meet Transport Canada safety and emissions standards
Vehicles more than 15 years old may be exempt from some compliance requirements (check with the Registrar of Imported Vehicles, RIV)
Import duties and GST apply unless the vehicle qualifies for duty-free entry as part of a household goods move
A recall clearance letter may be required from the manufacturer
You will need to register and insure the vehicle in your Canadian province after arrival
Sirelo tip: Many expats find it more cost-effective to sell their car in Australia and buy one in Canada, given the combined cost of shipping, compliance modifications, and duties. Get a full cost breakdown before deciding.
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Frequently asked questions
How expensive is it to ship to Canada?
Sea freight from Australia to Canada for a typical household move costs between $3,500 and $15,000 AUD, depending on container size, route, and services. LCL shipments for smaller volumes are charged per cubic metre, typically $150–$350 AUD/m³.
What are the shipping container sizes to Canada?
The two standard container sizes used for international shipping to Canada are the 20ft container (roughly 25–30 m³ of household goods) and the 40ft container (roughly 55–60 m³). A 40ft high-cube container is also available and offers slightly more vertical space, which is useful for tall furniture.
What are the shipping container prices to Canada?
A 20ft FCL container from Australia to Canada typically costs $4,500 – $10,500 AUD depending on the route. A 40ft container generally costs $6,000 – $15,000 AUD. LCL (shared container) rates are lower and calculated per cubic metre of space used. All prices vary with fuel costs, seasonal demand, and the services included.
How do I ship furniture to Canada?
To ship furniture to Canada from Australia: estimate your volume, choose between FCL (full container) or LCL (shared), request quotes from specialist international removal companies, prepare a detailed inventory for customs, and confirm that your freight forwarder handles CBSA customs clearance. Most established removal companies offer door-to-door service including customs paperwork.
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