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Container Shipping From Australia to the UK

Cost of Shipping Furniture, Vehicles, and Art

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Read all the container shipping costs from Australia to the UK. In this article, we break down everything you need to know about shipping costs, container options, freight options, and how to ship furniture and artwork. Keep reading to learn how to make the right choice for your international move to the UK.

Shipping costs from to
20ft Container
40ft Container

Container Shipping Costs from Australia to the UK

The average cost of shipping a 20-foot container from Australia to the UK is between $8000 – $9000 and $15,000 and $17,000 for a 40-foot container.

To give you an idea, the shipping time can go from 6 weeks and 12 weeks.

See below the cost of shipping a 20ft container and a 40ft container from cities in Australia to the UK:

Container SizeFrom SydneyFrom MelbourneFrom Brisbane
20-foot$8,000$7,500$7,000
40-foot$12,500$12,000$12,000

*Disclaimer: These prices are estimates and may change due to seasonal demand and exchange rates. The packing, insuring, or customs costs are not included, as well as extra fees you may encounter.

Request Quotes for International Removals: Australia to UK

We recommend that you request quotes from international moving companies to receive the most accurate cost estimates for your removal to the UK before making a decision. Fill out our form below for up to 5 free removal quotes!

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Shipping Furniture from Australia to the UK

Shipping households to the UK can cost you around $9,125 for a full container, and lowering to $2,250 for a shared container.

A shared container allows you, as the name indicates, to share a container with other users moving to the same destination. If you’re shipping belongings from Australia to the UK and don’t have enough to fill a whole container, consider consolidated shipping. This will reduce your costs, as you’ll only be paying for the space your furniture occupies.

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Cost of Shipping Belongings From Australia to UK

ServiceFrom SydneyFrom MelbourneFrom Brisbane
Full container$7,500$10,000$9,000
Shared container (per m3)$1,800$2,400$2,100

*Disclaimer: These prices are estimates and may change due to seasonal demand and exchange rates. The packing, insuring, or customs costs are not included, as well as extra fees you may encounter.

Shared Container vs Full Container:

AspectShared Container (LCL)Full Container (FCL)
Cost✅ Cheaper for small volumes✅ Cost-effective for large shipments
Volume Requirements✅ Ideal for moves under 15 m³❌ Not cost-efficient for small loads
Transit Time❌ Longer✅ Faster
Handling & Risk❌ Higher risk of damage✅ Lower risk of damage
Security❌ Lower✅ Higher
Customs Clearance❌ More complex✅ Simpler and faster

Check our Furniture Volume Calculator and estimate the volume of your furniture to determine the right container option for yourself!

Shipping Cars From Australia to the UK

Usually, the price to ship a car to the UK can be $5,125 on average by container and $3,125 by RORO.

There are mainly two alternatives when shipping your car abroad: using a shipping container or a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) service. The main difference is that a RORO service allows you to drive your car onto the ship and drive it off at the destination port.

Cost of Shipping a Car to the UK

ServiceFrom SydneyFrom MelbourneFrom Brisbane
Container$5,000$4,500$5,000
RORO$3,000$2,500$3,000

These are average prices. The costs may vary depending on the size, car model, season, etc.

RoRo vs Container Shipping

RORO Shipping...

 Is usually cheaper as no extra equipment is required
 Can accommodate any type of vehicle
 Is not available in all ports

Container Shipping...

 Can be more secure as it will be protected in a sealed container
 Has limitations on the size and shape of vehicles
 Has more flexibility and frequency

Shipping Paintings from Australia to the UK

The costs of shipping art to the UK are approximately $400 by sea and $850 by air.

Tips for Shipping Art Internationally

  1. Choose a reliable moving company or courier service experienced in shipping art.
  2. Pack your art carefully using high-quality materials to protect it from dust, moisture, or damage.
  3. Label it as ‘Fragile’ or any clear instructions to treat carefully.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Painting to the UK?

ServiceFrom SydneyFrom MelbourneFrom Brisbane
Air (per kg)$700$850$850
Sea (per m3)$350$450$300

These are average prices. The costs may vary depending on the distance, weight, demand, etc.

Sea freight from Australia to the UK is much cheaper than air freight, but when it comes to precious art pieces, air freight can often be the safest option.

Shipping Boxes from Australia to the UK

On average, shipping boxes to the UK can cost you $15 by air and $250 by sea.
ServiceFrom SydneyFrom MelbourneFrom Brisbane
Air (per kg)$15$15$15
Sea (per m3)$250$250$250

These prices are estimates and may change on the seasonal demand and exchange rate.

Shipping Options from Australia to the UK

You may be wondering – Which is the cheapest way? What about the fastest? We got you. There are two main options: sea or air freight. Each has its pros and cons, depending on your budget, schedule, or items.

Sea Freight vs. Air Freight

Sea Freight

 👍Cheaper for bulky items
 👍Containers can store any item (from cars to artwork)
 👍Environmentally friendly
 👎 Slower for light items
 👎 Prone to delays due to uncertainties
 👎 Involves more paperwork before departure

Air Freight

 👍Faster for smaller items
 👍 More reliable for urgent/fragile belongings
 👍 Fewer requirements
 👎 More expensive
 👎 Limitations for quantity or types of items
 👎Less eco-friendly

International Removals Australia to UK

Ready to Move to the UK?

We hope that this article has helped you understand all the aspects of container shipping from Australia to the UK. If you’re curious to know more, check out our complete guide to moving to the UK. We wish you a smooth and successful international move, and don’t forget to read our FAQs below!

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to ship a 20ft container from Australia to the UK?

How much does it cost to ship a 40ft container from Australia to the UK?

Cost of a full shipping container from Australia to UK?

Cost of a shared container from Australia to UK?