Shipping to Australia

Shipping times to Australia can vary. Shipping groupage in a shared container takes longer than shipping a full container load, as different customer shipments need to be consolidated to fill one container.

Express Shipping to Australia:

Fast delivery to Australia by air.

7 – 14 days.

Economy Shipping to Australia:

Cost-effective delivery to Australia by sea.

6 – 16 Weeks.

NB: These are approximate sea freight shipping times to ports in Australia only. You will need to allow additional time for customs clearance and final delivery to your destination.

PSS always aims to get your belongings delivered on time, every time, no matter what size your load is. However, it pays to be aware of Australia’s public holidays when planning your move. You can view upcoming public holidays on the Australian government website. You should also be aware of any localised disruptions or conditions that might affect the timing of your delivery.

If you’re sending to Australia, make sure to include the following:

• Name of addressee

• Street address (include unit or apartment number if applicable)

• Suburb or locality

• State abbreviation (e.g. NSW, VIC, QLD)

• 4-digit postcode

• AUSTRALIA (in capital letters on the last line)

For added security, include a UK return address on the back of the parcel or envelope.

However, PSS’s shipping service will ensure your items are correctly addressed and will go through any specific requirements with you beforehand.

Take a look at this international posting guide for Australia for full details on how to label your belongings, or talk to one of our team for full advice.

Australia is home to distinctive plant and animal life, which is why it enforces strict biosecurity measures to safeguard its environment. It’s important to be aware of prohibited items and to make sure all outdoor goods are thoroughly cleaned before shipping your consignment.

What Items are prohibited from Shipping to Australia?

Prohibited imports to Australia include:

• Seeds, plants and dried floral arrangements
• Original pine cones or any plant matter used for Christmas decorations or wreaths.
• Raw untreated wood or bark
• Food and meats
• Endangered animal fur, skins, tusks or ivory (Without CITES certificate)

What Items are Restricted When Shipping to Australia?

Restricted imports to Australia where pre-approval may be required are:

• Antibiotics, medicines & therapeutic drugs
• Erasers (novelty) resembling food in scent or appearance
• Some types of cosmetics
• Endangered animal fur, skins, tusks, ivory etc. (With CITES certificate)
• Firearms, ammunition and accessories
• Knives and daggers (even for sport)
• Martial art swords or weapons
• Bamboo, wicker or cane items

Shipping Antiques to Australia

If you have antiques valued at AUD $1000 or above you will need an import declaration. You can import antiques over 100 years old free of duty if you can provide a Certificate of Antiquity.

Your move manager will guide you on Customs for shipping to Australia and what you can and cannot ship to Australia.

Shipping Tools/Toolbox to Australia

Shipping your tools to Australia from the UK is recommended as you may find them quite expensive to replace. All types of tools can be taken to Australia including building,
garden, plumbing and carpentry tools. It is important to ensure your work tools are thoroughly cleaned to avoid any problems with customs.

You can ship a box of tools cheaply by sea freight with your other personal items or if you need them urgently for work, we offer a cost-effective air freight service. The cost of shipping tools to Australia is calculated based on volume and for air freight weight.

Most UK power tools will work fine in Australia but speak to our team about requirements for shipping batteries as there are different rules for air and sea freight.
To get a quote or cost for shipping tools to Australia use the cost calculator on this page. We also have an overweight items shipping service if you have large or heavy tools to ship.

Shipping a vehicle to Australia is often more affordable than people expect, but making it road-legal once it arrives can significantly increase the overall cost. Transport typically ranges from £1,500–£4,000 depending on the method, while Australian compliance and registration can add AUD $3,000–$12,000 depending on the modifications required.

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) usually costs £1,500–£2,500. Your vehicle is driven onto a specialist car carrier and secured below deck alongside other vehicles.

Container shipping typically costs £2,500–£4,000. The vehicle is secured inside a 20ft container, offering greater protection and, in some cases, space for additional belongings.

Vehicles must meet Australian Design Rules (ADR). In many cases, cars under 25 years old require SEVS approval, and some vehicles may not qualify under personal import schemes. Although UK vehicles are already right-hand drive, speedometers must read in kilometres per hour, and compliance workshops generally charge AUD $2,000–$8,000 depending on the work required. Quarantine cleaning is mandatory and typically costs AUD $200–$400.

For most standard family cars, selling in the UK and purchasing in Australia is often more economical once shipping and compliance costs are considered. Classic vehicles, rare models or cars with strong sentimental value may justify the additional expense.

If you are shipping a vehicle, you will also need registration documents showing at least 12 months’ ownership, a purchase receipt or independent valuation, and SEVS approval where applicable.

To understand the full cost of shipping your vehicle, explore our car shipping service or use our international removals cost calculator for an estimate based on your move.

No matter whether you are taking one, a few or even multiple boxes to Australia then our box shipping service is the best way for you to ship your boxes.

We provide boxes and packaging materials and deliver them to your address in the UK.

You then pack all your personal possessions or household items and call us when you are ready for them to be collected.

There are three shipping options for your boxes. The method you choose depends on shipping costs to Australia and urgency.

1. Sea Freight: your boxes are sent in a shared shipping container with other people’s boxes and belongings moving to Australia. This is the cheapest, but the slowest method.
2. Air Freight: If you need your belongings to arrive sooner, air freight is a good option

Your dedicated Move Manager will help you with all the required paperwork and answer any questions you have.

You can then take time to enjoy a stopover on your journey home to Australia, whilst we take care of transporting your boxes.

Our partner company in Australia will notify you when your ship arrives, take care of customs clearance and deliver your boxes at a time that’s convenient for you.

They can also arrange storage for you if you are not yet ready to take delivery.

If you’re an Australian citizen returning home or a migrant with a permanent resident visa who has lived overseas for more than 12 months, you may be exempt from paying Customs Duties and GST on your household goods. However, you must ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. Additional customs-related charges and fees may still apply.

Antique items are not subject to Customs Duty, but a 10% GST will still be charged.

As customs rules and import duties can change, it’s important to check the most current guidelines. You can refer to the FIDI Guide to Australian Customs for the latest details.

If you don’t qualify for the household effects exemption or if your goods are classified as commercial imports, you may be required to pay both Customs Duty and GST.

All goods that arrive in Australia are subject to customs clearance. We will submit all the relevant paperwork required to obtain the release of your goods; this can sometimes take up to 7 days. This may take longer in busier months, but you don’t need to be present or in the country for clearance. We’ve included some guidance around common Australian customs hold ups below:

The B534 personal effects form must match your inventory precisely. Border Force officers check declared items against documentation, and discrepancies can lead to inspection fees of £200–£400 or the seizure of undeclared goods.

Used personal effects owned for more than 12 months and supported by a valid residence visa generally enter duty-free. New items may attract 5% import duty plus 10% GST, calculated on the item value and the shipping cost combined.

Alcohol and tobacco allowances are limited. Adults may bring 2.25 litres of alcohol duty-free, while tobacco is restricted to 25 cigarettes or 25g per person. Amounts above these thresholds incur excise charges.

Australia’s biosecurity controls are strict, and containers are routinely opened for inspection. Wooden furniture, camping equipment, golf clubs, garden tools and items exposed to soil may require fumigation or heat treatment, typically costing £150–£400. Failing to declare organic material can result in fines starting from AUD $2,664.

As part of our door-to-door service, we help you prepare the required paperwork and manage the customs and biosecurity clearance process. This may include your personal effects statement, packing list, detailed inventory, customs entry and relevant biosecurity documentation. Learn more about our international shipping services or contact our team to discuss your move to Australia.

To help you, we recommend you download and carefully read our FIDI Customs Guide

Australia is a continent, not a single destination, and the port your container arrives at affects both cost and transit time. If a shipment lands in the wrong city, inland transport can add £300–£800 in additional trucking charges, along with extra handling that increases the risk of delays or damage.

The main ports used for household goods shipping are:

• Sydney (Port Botany) – The busiest destination for UK shipments, serving New South Wales.
• Melbourne – A major entry point for Victoria and surrounding regions.
• Brisbane – Typically used for Queensland deliveries.
• Perth (Fremantle) – The primary gateway for Western Australia.
• Adelaide – Serving South Australia and regional areas nearby.

Selecting the correct arrival port at the quotation stage reduces onward transport costs and limits unnecessary container movement within Australia.

Once your goods have been released by the Australian customs, we will contact you to arrange a suitable delivery day.

Once we’ve received clearance of your goods, we will either deliver your sea freight container directly to your new home or it will be delivered in a separate vehicle. This all depends on the type of shipment you are sending. Our unloading crew will place your items in the rooms of your choice and unwrap and remove the packing material from any furniture.

When you book with PSS, your shipment is covered under the BAR Advanced Payment Guarantee Scheme.

However, it is highly recommended to also take out shipping insurance or shipment protection cover before you ship your personal effects or household goods to Australia.

Although it’s unlikely you’ll experience problems during the process, it is still wise to have shipment protection cover when sending goods overseas, especially for items of significant financial value.

PSS International offers very flexible Shipment Protection Plans. You can cover your whole shipment or choose the individual items you wish to cover.

Your PSS Move Manager can explain the available options and guide you through completing the Shipment Protection Valuation form, but we’ve included a brief summary of shipment insurance options below.

How Do I Arrange Insured Shipping to Australia for Fragile Household Items?

International shipping insurance does not operate in the same way as standard home contents cover, and misunderstanding this is one of the most common causes of disappointment when damage occurs.

Standard marine insurance typically costs 1–1.5% of the declared shipment value. In most cases, this type of policy covers only total loss, meaning compensation is paid only if the entire shipment is lost in transit, which is rare. Damage to individual items is usually not covered under this level of protection.

Comprehensive cover generally costs 2–3% of the declared value and protects against damage to individual items. Insurers typically require professional export packing and clear evidence of condition before shipment, such as dated photographs. Without these, a claim may be declined.

Comprehensive insurance cover usually requires professional export packing, as insurers may decline claims for self-packed items. Custom crating, typically £100–£400 per item, provides additional protection for antiques, mirrors and artwork. Photograph valuable items before packing, retain receipts for items valued over £500, and describe each item individually in your inventory to support accurate valuation in the event of a claim.

Full insurance options are available as part of our international shipping service, and these are reviewed in detail during the quotation process.