Looking For A Mover?
Get 5 Quotes In Just 3 Easy Steps
Network of 500+ movers
150,000 moves annually

Container Shipping From Australia to the UK

Everything You Need to Know When Moving Overseas

Featured image

If you landed here, you must be excited to start your new adventure in the land of tea, crumpets and the Queen. Unless you want to sell all your stuff and start from scratch, there are a few things you need to know to ship your belongings abroad before jumping on the plane. Keep reading!

Shipping costs from to
20ft Container
40ft Container

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

This is the most common option for larger, heavy belongings. Sent in big containers of either 20-foot or 40-foot, they’ll be shipped across the ocean to your destination.

Advantages of Sea Freight

 Cheaper for bulky items
 Containers can store any item (from cars to artwork)
 Environmentally friendly

Disadvantages of Sea Freight

 Slower for light items
 Prone to delays due to uncertainties.
 Involves more paperwork before departure

Air Freight

If you’re in a hurry or prioritize time over money, this is the most convenient option for shipping your stuff from Australia to the UK. Instead of big containers, your belongings will be carried in boxes by plane.

As the space in an airplane is more limited, keep in mind that the more space and weight your items occupy, the more expensive they will be. The price can go between $10 and $20 per kilo depending on the delivery time (between 3 to 10 days).

Advantages of Air Freight

 Faster for smaller items
 More reliable for urgent/fragile belongings
 Fewer requirements

Disadvantages of Air Freight

 More expensive
 Limitations for quantity or types of items
 Less eco-friendly as it generates more greenhouse gas emissions

Container Shipping Costs from Australia to the UK

When planning your international move, the cost of shipping is naturally going to be one of the most important factors. It will vary according to the size, weight, type and destination of your things.

To give you an idea, the average cost of shipping a 20-foot container from Australia to the UK is between $8000 – $9000. The average cost of shipping a 40-foot container from Australia to the UK is between $15,000 and $17,000 and the time can go from 6 weeks and 12 weeks.

Check out this table where we’ve complied some average prices:

Container SizeFrom SydneyFrom MelbourneFrom PerthFrom Brisbane
20-foot$8,000$7,500$9,000$7,000
40-foot$12,500$12,000$14,500$12,000

These prices are estimates and may change on the seasonal demand and exchange rate. The packing, insuring or customs costs are not included, as well as extra fees you may encounter.

We recommend you to request quotes from international moving companies before making a decision.

Moving to the UK?
Select the size of your household to receive free quotes for your move!

Shipping Furniture from Australia to the UK

Your household goods are key to keeping your home feeling like home, the place you love and cherish. So, when shipping your furniture, you can either use a shipping container or a shared container service.

💡 A shared container allows you – as the name indicates – to share a container with other users moving to the same destination. This will reduce your costs, as you’ll only be paying for the space your furniture occupies.

ServiceFrom SydneyFrom MelbourneFrom PerthFrom Brisbane
Full container$7,500$10,000$11,000$9,000
Shared container (per m3)$1,800$2,400$2,700$2,100

These prices are estimates and may change on the seasonal demand and exchange rate. The packing, insuring, or customs costs are not included, as well as extra fees you may encounter.

The best option will depend on your situation and preferences. Using a full container can be pricier and complicated if not fully loaded. However, it can give you more flexibility and security. On the other side, shared containers are cheaper and greener, but limit your space, control and the delivery could be slower.

Check our Furniture Volume Calculator and estimate the volume of your furniture!

Shipping Cars from Australia to the UK

If you’re thinking about shipping your car, you might be wondering how to do it without spending a fortune or risking your precious vehicle. 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 PerthFrom Brisbane
Container$5,000$4,500$6,000$5,000
RORO$3,000$2,500$4,000$3,000

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

Some things you may like to know before deciding:

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

We understand how much you love your artwork. It’s something that you cannot leave easily behind. You may just buy a masterpiece from an Australian artist or want to share your artwork with the world. Either way, ensuring your paintings and art make it safe in the UK is important.

🎨 Some tips when 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 any 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 PerthFrom Brisbane
Air (per kg)$700$850$10,000$850
Sea (per m3)$350$450$500$300

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

Shipping Boxes from Australia to the UK

If you only have a few items to ship or prefer to send some things separately, you can opt for boxes. Here are some average prices for shipping boxes from Australia to the UK:

ServiceFrom SydneyFrom MelbourneFrom PerthFrom Brisbane
Air (per kg)$15$15$15$15
Sea (per m3)$250$250$300$250

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

International Removals Australia to UK

Find and Compare International Moving Companies

Comparing different international moving companies offering shipping container services from Australia to the UK is the best way to save some money and time.

With a small investigation into the services they offer, reviews and quotes, you’ll choose the right option for your needs and budget.

Prepare Your Belongings To Be Shipped

Once the moving company and the shipping option are chosen, is time to start packing! These essential steps will help you organize better:

  • Gather all the necessary documents. We’re not only talking about your documents but the required paperwork for customs authorities.
  • Pack your belongings. Use bubble wrap, cardboard boxes… everything necessary to make sure it’s safe. Label every box clearly with your details and destination.
  • Keep track of your shipment. Yes, at this point, it’s just a matter of trust, but you can follow the status using the tracking number provided by the moving company.

✅ Need more help? You can also check out our complete guide to moving to the UK.

Ready to Move to the UK?

The process may seem long, but with everything in order, the process will be smooth and in the end, a rewarding experience. We wish you a smooth and successful international move! 😊