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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.
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 Size | From Sydney | From Melbourne | From 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.
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!
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.
| Service | From Sydney | From Melbourne | From 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.
| Aspect | Shared 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!
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.
| Service | From Sydney | From Melbourne | From 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.
| Service | From Sydney | From Melbourne | From 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.
| Service | From Sydney | From Melbourne | From 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.
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.
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!
