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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!
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.
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.
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).
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 Size | From Sydney | From Melbourne | From Perth | From 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.
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.
| Service | From Sydney | From Melbourne | From Perth | From 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!
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.
| Service | From Sydney | From Melbourne | From Perth | From 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:
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:
| Service | From Sydney | From Melbourne | From Perth | From 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.
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:
| Service | From Sydney | From Melbourne | From Perth | From 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.
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.
Once the moving company and the shipping option are chosen, is time to start packing! These essential steps will help you organize better:
✅ Need more help? You can also check out our complete guide to moving 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! 😊
