International Removals to Australia from the UK

Average international removal time to Australia from the UK

Sea freight times from the UK to Australia are around 6-9 weeks for a full container load (FCL) or 8-12 weeks for a shared container/groupage service (Sometimes called less than container load – LCL). In addition, you will also need to allow added time for customs clearance.

Usually, it will take our professional packers 2-4 days to pack and load a container.

If you are only sending boxes or luggage to Australia, we recommend you use our Excess Baggage Service for your move. Your belongings will be sent as part load in a shared container as ‘groupage’ with other customers. This saves you money as the cost of the container is shared by everyone.

If you want the quickest way to ship your boxes, we recommend our air freight service for international removals. Although air freight is more expensive than sea freight, it will ensure that your belongings arrive in Australia in the quickest time frame. For those looking for the most cost-effective method of transportation, sea freight is an excellent option for you.

For more details and to get an online quote visit our box shipping to Australia page.

Similarly to all countries, Australia has a unique list of restricted or prohibited items that you cannot take with you when travelling to or relocating to Australia. When you import goods to Australia you must always make sure you check the listings for prohibited or restricted items and take action accordingly.

Please see our FIDI Australia Customs Guide for removals

Examples of restricted imports in Australia that require pre-approval 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

Examples of prohibited import to Australia are:

• 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)

The Australian Government provides detailed guidance on you can/can’t import to Australia as well as guidance on how items should be prepared.

For more details about prohibited items for overseas removals to Australia visit the official DAWR website.

• UK’s leading specialist international removal company
• Help thousands of people move overseas to Australia every year
• Move manager to guide you through Australia removals.
• Over 40 years of experience as international removalists
• Independent family run moving company
• Fully accredited to the highest standards for international moves
• Achieved FIDI FAIM Top Performer Status
• Long serving removal staff with knowledge and expertise
• Staff training by BAR and FIDI
• Members BAR Payment Guarantee Scheme

We do international removals from anywhere in the UK (including London, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) to all destinations in Australia including:

You can use our online calculator to get a quick estimate for your international removal to Australia.

However, for a more accurate quote, we recommend you book an appointment for a Home Survey or Video Survey with one of our International Removal Consultants.

They will be able to calculate your volume and provide free expert advice on packing requirements, the removal process, customs and what you should and should not take.

If the antiques you are sending are valued at AUD $1000 or above, they will likely need an import declaration. Antiques over 100 years old might be imported free of duty if you can supply a Certificate of Antiquity that has been issued by a recognised association.

As PSS are members of BAR your removal costs are covered by the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee Scheme. As a member of FIDI Global Alliance and having achieved FIDI FAIM top performer status, you can be assured that PSS and our partners in Australia have the highest standards of professionalism in international moves.
However, due to the nature of international removals, it is highly recommended that you take out a Maritime Insurance policy or Shipment Protection Cover. At PSS we offer and recommend Shipment Protection Cover which is very flexible and has a lot of advantages.

PSS International Shipment Protection Cover

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.

Actual costs are calculated as a percentage of the value you wish to cover. These vary depending on whether it’s self-packed or packed by professional overseas movers. For more information speak to one of our advisers.

Your Move Manager will advise you on what you’ll need to do to prepare items for moving day, including which items need cleaning and disinfecting.

Please advise us beforehand if you decide to take additional items so we can ensure that they will fit on the container and also if necessary update your quote.

On moving day our professional and friendly international movers and packers will take care of everything for you. Typically for a full house overseas removal, they begin packing furniture on day one and your container will arrive for loading sometime on day two.

For part container loads we will take your packed belongings to our depot for loading onto the container.

Our specially trained and experienced export packers will ensure all your belongings are speedily but carefully packed before being loaded into your container. 12,000 miles by sea is a long journey so higher standards and different techniques are needed than used by a standard domestic removal company.

For delicate items and antiques, we have even higher-grade materials including custom-made wooden crates if required.

For international furniture removals to Australia, items need to be wrapped and packed to a high standard to ensure they arrive at your new house in perfect condition, no matter whether it’s sofas, tables, chairs or other furniture.

We use export standard packing materials and professionally trained packers who specialise in international removals to ensure your furniture arrives in perfect condition.

Although many are tempted to wrap their furniture, we highly recommend using our expert packing team for furniture removals to Australia, especially considering the distance between the UK and Australia.

It is recommended to use professional international removalists who are specially trained and experienced in export wrapping and packing for overseas furniture removals to Australia.

However, we do have an option for furniture removals if you wish to pack your belongings yourself.

We are able to help you ship vehicles overseas including cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and caravans to Australia. They can be shipped in the same container as your household goods or separately.

There are a number of factors you need to consider when importing cars into Australia, so we suggest you speak to one of our advisers or visit our Australia vehicle page for more information.

Your dedicated Move Manager will advise you on the required documents and help you with their completion. Example documents required are:

• Fully completed Australian Customs form B534
• Removal inventory (PSS will prepare this for you if we are packing)
• Valuation form for Shipment Protection cover
• Copy of your Passport and Visa
• Purchase receipts (only applicable if you are importing any newly purchased goods)
• Import approval (if you are importing a car)

Returning Australian citizens and migrants with permanent resident visas who have been away for over 12 months do not have to pay Customs Duties and GST on Household Effects. You will need to check that you meet the criteria. There may, however, be other customs related charges and fees you need to pay.

Antiques are free of Customs Duty, but GST at 10% applies.

Customs regulations and duties are subject to change so we suggest you check that you have the most up to date information. A FIDI Guide to Australian Customs is available here.

If you don’t meet the criteria for Household Effects or your goods are deemed commercial imports then Customs Duty and GST may apply.

Your personal effects and household goods will need to be cleared by Australian Customs before being allowed into the country.

Australian Customs inspection and custom fees, as well as any quarantine fees, will be charged and payable locally before your container can be released.

PSS International and our agents in Australia will be able to take care of the customs clearance process for you.

Your Move Manager will also be able to advise you on what you can and can’t take in addition to how to prepare and clean items. This will help minimise any customs inspection and quarantine fees that you may be charged by Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR), Biosecurity.

Further information can be found in the Australia Customs Guide. 

PSS International Removals provide a full door-to-door international removal service to Australia from the UK which includes delivery of household items to your new home.

• Delivery to all locations in Australia
• Dedicated FIDI regulated international movers in Australia
• Dedicated import clerk in Australia
• Customs clearance
• Up-to-date information on delivery & customs clearance process
• Trained import delivery team
• Unpacking of all furniture & removal of any packaging materials on the day of delivery

This is not a problem as all we will require is a contact address and contact details. The delivery address can be advised at a later date or when you arrive.

If required, we can also arrange storage of your household goods and personal effects in Australia whilst you arrange your new home. Once you’re ready our local movers will be able to deliver your belongings.

No matter whether you’re a British Expat returning home or an Australian migrating to the UK, we will be able to assist you with your move. Our partners and professional packing teams will take care of your move in Australia and we can handle customs and delivery of your belongings to anywhere in the UK or Ireland.

Please contact us for more details.