International Removals
Container shipping to Australia
Shipping Container UK to Australia from £1,405*
Get a cost for shipping containers to Australia from the UK – best rates for 20ft & 40ft containers
Moving to Australia and need to ship your belongings? Our container shipping service to Australia combines the best prices with the highest level of customer service for both expats going home and new migrants. Whether you need to ship to Sydney or Melbourne or move your household belongings to Tasmania, our all-encompassing container service is here to help.
Container shipping to Australia from the UK typically starts at around £1,405 for a shared container (LCL), with prices for a full container service (FCL), increasing to approximately £4,780 for a standard 20ft container and £7585 for a larger 40ft container. For a standard house move to Australia, costs depend on the size of your home and the level of service required.
Delivery times generally range from 6-9 weeks for a full container and 8 -12 weeks for a shared container to Australia, depending on which port in Australia you are shipping to and any seasonal influences such as weather, port congestion and Australian national holidays.
You will also need to consider packing, inventory, customs clearance and final delivery to your address, but by using a professional shipping and removals company like PSS, all this will be taken care of for you!
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How Much Does Container Shipping to Australia Cost?
Containers to Australia from £1,405*
The cost of shipping your container to Australia depends on several factors, including the city in Australia you plan to move to and the size of your container. For example, shipping a 40 ft or 20 ft container to inland locations may have a higher cost compared to port cities due to the increased transportation time.
You can view an indication of the pricing below or contact our team for an exact quote.
Typical Container Shipping Costs from the UK to Australia 2025
In as little as 6-9 weeks
(Costs last updated September 2026)
*Actual shipping costs vary depending on where in the UK you are and where in Australia you are shipping to.
| Location | 5 Boxes | 10 Boxes | 1 Bed (Groupage) | 3 Bed (20ft Container) | 4 Bed (40ft Container) | 5 Bed (40ft High Cube) |
| Adelaide (SA) | £305 | £450 | £1,488 | £4,945 | £7,515 | £8,325 |
| Brisbane (QLD) | £245 | £450 | £1,456 | £4,871 | £7,495 | £8,215 |
| Canberra (ACT) | £395 | £580 | £1,665 | £6,095 | £8,355 | £9,155 |
| Hobart (TAS) | £775 | £1,015 | £2,446 | £8,198 | £10,321 | £11,123 |
| Melbourne (VIC) | £245 | £450 | £1,405 | £4,715 | £7,392 | £8,134 |
| Perth (Fremantle) (WA) | £245 | £450 | £1,462 | £4,888 | £7,543 | £8,265 |
| Sydney (NSW) | £245 | £450 | £1,434 | £4,727 | £7,525 | £8,199 |
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Shipping your container to Australia is easy with PSS
STEP 1
Home Survey or Quote
Get an online quote in 60 seconds or book a FREE home survey.
STEP 2
Help and Advice
Your dedicated Account Manager can help answer your questions and tailor your shipping requirements.
STEP 3
Quick and easy collection and shipping
Whether you are shipping your house contents boxes or furniture you will have our professional packing service.
STEP 4
Customs clearance & delivery to your new home
On arrival our agents will take care of customs clearance and deliver to your door.
How can we help? Call 0800 988 3711
Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions.
What Does Our Container Shipping to Australia Service Include?
- Door to door container shipping service from the UK
- Part or full load removal service
- A Dedicated Move Manager
- Help with any documentation needed
- Export-quality packing materials
- Choice between self-pack or a professional packing service
- Advice on customs requirements
- Customs clearance on arrival
- Storage in the UK or Australia if required
Full or Shared Container Shipping to Australia
PSS offer two different types of container shipping to Australia, including shared container shipping to Australia alongside the two different shipping container sizes. We’ve detailed the differences below along with guidance on how to choose the correct container option for you.
For smaller shipments, we provide a shared or part load shipping container service. Your goods will be grouped together with those of other customer shipping to Australia so the costs can be shared based on how much you send.
This is sometimes referred to as shared groupage or LCL (less than container load).
For shipping larger amounts, such as full household removals, we can provide a container for your sole use. We will arrange for the container to be delivered to your home, where we will pack it and it will be customs sealed before heading to the port to embark for Australia.
Our container shipping service to Australia is designed for household goods, furniture and other personal effects for people moving to Australia. If you need to ship commercial goods to Australia from the UK, we recommend you contact a commercial freight forwarder.
Container Shipping to Australia Cost Calculator
Want to know how much it will cost to send your belongings to Australia? Our free online Cost Calculator will help you estimate the cost.
How Long Does Shipping Containers to Australia Take?
Shipping times to Australia range from 6 to 9 weeks for a full container and between 8 and 16 weeks for a shared container. These are approximate sea freight shipping times to port only. You will need to allow additional time for customs clearance and final delivery to your destination.
Transit times can vary depending on the shipping option used and the end destination in Australia. Shared (part-load) container shipping takes longer than a sole-use container load, as different customers’ shipments need to be consolidated to fill a single container. However, as one of the UK’s leading companies for shipping to Australia, PSS have regular sailings every week, so we will aim to ship your belongings on the next available container.
| Average Shipping Times to Australia from the UK | ||
| Port in Australia | Full Container Load (FCL) | Shared Container (LCL) |
| Sydney, New South Wales | 6-9 weeks | 8 -12 weeks |
| Melbourne, Victoria | 6-9 weeks | 8 -12 weeks |
| Perth / Fremantle, Western Australia | 6-9 weeks | 8 -12 weeks |
| Brisbane, Queensland | 6-9 weeks | 8 -12 weeks |
| Adelaide, South Australia | 6-9 weeks | 9 -16 weeks |
| Hobart, Tasmania | 6-9 weeks | 8-16 weeks |
| Darwin, Northern Territories | 6-9 weeks | 8-16 weeks |
Customs Clearance in Australia for Container Shipping
As part of our Australia shipping service we will take care of everything for you from door to door. This includes exporting your container from the United Kingdom and importing into Australia.
If we pack your container for you then our team will make sure all your items are packed and shipped according to Australian customs requirements. We will also compile a customs inventory on your behalf and advise you of what other shipping documents and customs forms are required.
We appreciate that the customs process can be confusing and even overwhelming if you’re managing it on your own, which is why we strive to take the weight off your shoulders by handling it for you.
For a full list of restricted and prohibited items to ship to Australia, see our detailed guide here.
*Please note that our shipping quote includes basic customs clearance but not taxes, import duties and other customs charges such as any quarantine fees.
Shipping Containers to Australia FAQs
Below are answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about overseas container shipping to Australia. There is a lot to consider with international moving which is why we allocate you a Move Manager to guide you through the whole shipping process.
How long does shipping a container to Australia from the UK take?
Shipping a container from Australia to the UK takes between 6 and 9 weeks if you’re using a full container service and between 8 and 16 weeks for a shared container (groupage) service. These, however, can vary based on your final delivery address. You’ll also need to consider the additional time needed for customs clearance and delivery to your final address.
How much does container shipping to Australia cost?
Container cost to Australia depends on a few factors including things such as whether you are choosing a full or shared shipping container UK to Australia.
Typical Container shipping costs to Australia (last updated: September 2026)
- Groupage – 5 Large Boxes → £300 – £455
- Groupage – 10 Large Boxes → £480 – £760
- Groupage – 1 Bed House → £1660 – £2065
- 20 ft Container – 3 Bed House → £4780 – £5780
- 40 ft Container – 4 Bed House + Car → £7585 – £8286
Actual shipping costs vary depending where in the UK you are and where in Australia you are shipping to.
Our shipping quotes are for a full international removal shipping service including packing, door to door delivery and customs clearance. Beware of cheap shipping rates that are only a basic port to port service which will mean additional packing costs and other fees.
Cheap container shipping rates from UK to Australia
We are also members of MTC (the Movers Traders Club) which provides us with economies of scale and allows us to negotiate the best sea freight rates with leading international shipping companies.
We are confident that we can offer you the cheapest rate to ship your container to Australia from the UK.
To get an accurate cost we suggest you book a free home or video survey.
How much is marine insurance or shipment protection?
We highly recommend you take out shipment protection cover or a marine insurance policy for your container.
We provide a very flexible shipment protection cover through Basil Fry & Company – the UK’s leading insurance broker for international removals and shipping:
- Our policy is quick and easy to set up, simply complete our Shipment Protection valuation form with the items you would like to cover and their values.
- Removal (we pack) consignments cover costs 3% of the total insurable value you declare.
- Vehicle shipments cover costs 2% of the vehicles declared value.
- Self-Pack (you pack) consignments cover costs 5% of the total insurable value you declare.
- Baggage/Airfreight consignments, which are owner packed, will cost 5% of the total insurable value you declare.
What shipping container sizes are there?
Shipping containers come in two standard sizes – 20ft and 40ft.
Our consultants will be able to advise you on what size meets your requirements.
We also have various shipping options to meet your needs including part load or shared container shipping to Australia.
| Size | 20ft Container | 40ft Container |
| Cubic Capacity (Volume) | 1050 cu ft (29.73 CBM) | 2100 cu ft (59.47 CBM) |
| Internal Length | 19’ 3” (5.87m) | 39’5” (12m) |
| Internal Dimensions | Width 7’8” (2.33m) Height 7’9” (2.35m) | |
| Door Dimensions | Width 7’8” (2.28m) Height 7’5” (2.26m) | |
| Weight | 2225kg | 3950 kg |
| Cargo Weight | 21700 kg | 26500 kg |
*Exact container dimensions and available volume may vary
Which container shipping company do you use for sea freight to Australia?
PSS International Removals are accredited by BAR and FIDI. We therefore only use accredited container shipping companies such as Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd and One to transport your belongings. This ensures the highest level of service.
By using the best international shipping companies for your move to Australia, you can be assured that your possessions will be taken care of.
Customs clearance when importing your container into Australia
Our door-to-door shipping service to Australia includes support with customs clearance. We will:
- Take care of exporting your container from the UK and importing it into Australia
- Create a customs inventory for you (if we pack your container for you)
- Advice on shipping documentation requirements
What Australia shipping ports do you deliver to? Can you deliver inland?
We can deliver your container to any Australian destination, including Tasmania and inland locations with door-to-door delivery of all of your household items and vehicles. Below are some of our most popular Australian destinations.
New South Wales
- Port Botany, Sydney (AUBTB)
Victoria
- Melbourne (AUMEL)
Queensland
- Brisbane (AUBNE)
- Cairns (AUCNE)
Northern Territory
- Darwin (AUDRW)
Western Australia
- Fremantle (Perth) (AUFRE)
South Australia
- Port Adelaide (AUADL)
Tasmania
- Burnie (AUBWT)
- Hobart (AUHBA)
Wherever you are planning on moving in Australia, our team is here to help with onward transportation from ports available for all container shipping loads. Contact our team to find out more.
