International Shipping to Australia from the UK

When exporting sentimental items or expensive furniture overseas, you need to have full confidence in the international shipping company you choose. There are a few pointers to look for that can help determine the best global shipping companies to Australia.

Accreditations and associations are the best indicators of how trusted a company is within the industry and how safe its services are. PSS’ continued efforts and dedication to shipping to Australia from the UK is echoed in our memberships and achievements:

• FAIM Accredited – the only globally recognised independent quality assurance standard for the international moving industry ensuring.
• FIDI Global Alliance Members – providing customers with the same superior standards in Australia as in the UK.
• British Association of Removers Members – the leading British quality standard and ensures customers financial protection with the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee Scheme.
• Movers Traders Club (MTC) – Members of this organisation join together to negotiate the best service and shipping rates with leading international shipping companies. Members are therefore able to offer lower shipping rates to customers.

We ship from anywhere in the UK (including London, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) to all destinations. Popular destinations in Australia we ship to include:

Australian Capital Territory

PSS is a company with years of experience with international shipping to Australia. Popular items shipped to Australia include golf clubs, snowboards, walking sticks, surfboards, monitors, tool boxes and musical instruments. We will ensure your belongings are safe from the start of the journey to the final destination.

Whether your load requires full or shared container shipping to Australia depends on the quantity or combined dimensions of your items.

Shared Shipping Containers to Australia (Groupage)

For small moves, we load items onto a shared shipping container from the UK to Australia alongside the boxes of other PSS customers, also known as our groupage service.
Part-load container shipping (sometimes called LCL – Less than Container Load) is a quick and easy way to send a single box of clothing or personal goods and sports equipment, smaller items of furniture, or household contents from a single room up to a small flat. You only need to pay for the space you use.

Full-Load Container Shipping from the UK to Australia

If you have a larger load to send to Australia, our Full Container Load (FCL) shipping option is advantageous, also known as sole-use container shipping to Australia.

If you are sending a large family home of furniture and personal items, PSS can provide a 20ft or 40ft shipping container intended for your sole use.

The cost of container shipping to Australia from the UK depends on the chosen size of the shipping container. Our 20ft and 40ft shipping containers have plenty of space, and it is up to you how you fill that container.

A standard 20 ft shipping container is large enough for the contents of the average three-bedroom house.
A 40 ft shipping container is usually big enough to fit the contents of a 4-bedroom house and car.
The quoted cost includes a full, professional packing service.
Another advantage of having your own sole-use shipping container is that it leaves immediately on the next available ship bound for Australia. No waiting around for other customers to fill the container.

Considering the distances involved, you may be pleasantly surprised at how cheap shipping is for Australia from the UK.

PSS’ shipping estimates to Australia from the UK are based upon the chosen shipping method for sending goods to Aus.

As we have large numbers of customers shipping belongings to Australia every year, we are able to offer very competitive shipping rates.

Although the cheapest way to ship to Australia is using part-load container shipping, you should consider that many items are more expensive in Australia. Also when you add up the cost of replacing all your smaller items it is often cheaper to ship a higher volume of goods.

We calculate part-load shipping rates from the UK to Australia using the combined dimensions of your consignment and the area they take up within the container.

For larger moves using sole-use container shipping, your freight costs to Australia are determined by which size shipping container you use – 20ft or 40ft.

Cost of air freight shipping to Australia

When customers need their items shipped to Australia urgently, we can provide air freight services. Air freight is our fastest shipping option and for smaller quantities, it can be surprisingly cost-effective. We base air freight quotes on the weight and volume of your goods, so for consignments of more than a couple of boxes, our sea freight shipping options are much cheaper.

Your start and end destinations will also contribute to the overall cost of shipping goods from the UK to Australia. With available ports across Australia, PSS always go the extra mile for convenient delivery. However, the further that your items have to travel, the higher your Australia shipping quote will be.

The cost of shipping to the main ports such as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane is very similar. Some regional areas such as Darwin and Hobart may cost more as well as inland areas.

Cheapest shipping quotes to Australia

We always aim to provide the cheapest shipping cost to Australia. We are able to offer cheap shipping due to the volume we ship and the number of customers we help move to Australia.

If you receive a much cheaper quote, check carefully that they include a full door-to-door service and if any costs are excluded. Also, ensure that they are fully accredited shipping company FIDI or BAR Overseas in order to get the best price.

Get an accurate price for shipping to Australia

The surest way to receive an accurate quote for Australia shipping is through a free home survey. Our home surveys are intended to provide customers with a clear-cut and detailed shipping quote from the UK to Australia before they agree to anything.

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

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.

How Long Does Air Freight Shipping to Australia take from the UK?

For sending excess baggage or boxes to Australia by air freight allow approximately 7 – 14 days.

We offer a full menu of shipping options to Australia, whether you are sending personal items, furniture, extra boxes, pets or vehicles, our Australia movers have a solution ready and waiting for you:

Shipping Personal Effects to Australia from the UK

Shipping personal effects from the UK to Australia is simple with PSS. We send personal items to Australia for countless customers each year, from clothing and shoes, makeup and toiletries, to sports equipment, tech, musical instruments and beyond, your shipping options are limitless.

International Shipping for Furniture and Household Goods to Australia

Shipping household goods to Australia is a PSS speciality. Using our freight services and industry expertise, PSS can ship furniture of any weight, dimensions and any quantities from the UK to destinations across Australia.

Our team of experienced international packers will ensure your items are carefully export-wrapped and packed for their journey.

The best way to get started for your UK to Aus shipping service is to book a free home or video survey so we can give you an accurate quote.

Shipping Excess Baggage & Unaccompanied Luggage from the UK to Australia

Using PSS to ship boxes, luggage, suitcases and excess baggage to Australia cuts out the extortionate charges issued by airline carriers and makes your journey to Australia more manageable by reducing the amount of luggage you have to carry.

We can supply you with a variety of box sizes or you can use your own bags/suitcases.

Whether you have one box, two suitcases or ten loads of excess baggage, our baggage shipping to Australia is an ideal service and will save money!

Shipping Boxes to Australia from UK

If you only have small items to ship to Australia, we recommend our box shipping service. Your boxes will be shipped along with those from other customers in a shared container (Groupage) so you only pay for the space you use.

We can supply a variety of box and carton sizes including packing and wrapping materials such as bubble wrap. We also have custom cartons for items such as bicycles and TVs.

Shipping Cars and Vehicles to Australia

PSS provides a range of shipping options to make car shipping to Australia feasible – regardless of your vehicle. Whether you want to send a car to Australia in a container of its own or alongside personal and household items, our Australia vehicle shipping options make it possible.

In addition to shipping cars we can assist with shipping all kinds of other vehicles to Australia including motorcycles, bikes, caravans, motorhomes and boats.

Shipping Pets, Dogs and Cats to Australia

Pet shipping to Australia can be daunting for any pet owner and pet relocation is a very specialised service. We, therefore, work with trusted partners for transporting animals from UK to Australia. Whether you want to take your cat or dog to Aus, you can entrust PSS and our partners to relocate them safely.

Shipping Parcels and Small Packages to Australia

For small parcels and packages, it is probably best to use Royal Mail, especially for less than 2kg. For larger or multiple boxes you can save by using a personal shipping service like that from PSS.

Shipping Goods and Freight to Australia

At PSS International we specialise in personal shipping services for people moving or relocating to Australia.

If you wish to ship commercial or non-personal items to Australia then it is best to contact a freight-forwarder.

Express Air Freight and Fast shipping from UK to Australia

If need to ship items to Australia quickly then we recommend our priority Express Air Freight Service.

This takes about 7 – 14 days and is ideal if you wish to send some boxes or bags of personal belongings to arrive ahead of your household container.

It is also commonly used by traders wishing to ship tools to Australia so they can begin work immediately on arrival.

Australia has very unique flora and fauna and so has very strict biosecurity in order to protect the environment.

Australia, therefore, has an uncompromising list of items that are either prohibited or on restricted entry into the country, which you should observe before your consignment is shipped.

In addition, you must ensure that any outdoor items are thoroughly cleaned before shipping.

What Items are prohibited from Ship 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 from Ship 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 your tools to Australia from the UK is recommended as you may find them quite expensive to replace. All types of 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 air freight also 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.

PSS provides two packing options, the first being a full professional packing service, or if you prefer, you can self-pack with our “You Pack, We Ship” service.

When you opt for our professional overseas packing service, a specialist team will arrive at your home on the day of your move to pack the required items in sturdy packing materials and moving boxes ready for sending to Australia. For shipping furniture, we offer a full export wrapping service so that they are well protected.

We can also provide custom-made wooden crates and antique wrapping for delicate items.

Our packing teams also create an inventory to ensure our customer is aware of every item that we will ship to Australia.

If you are only sending a small number of items in boxes or suitcases, you can opt to self-pack your belongings in the comfort of your own home. This “You Pack, We Ship” is an increasingly popular option.

We understand the importance of the safe handling and delivery of your goods to Australia, so we still provide all moving boxes, tea cartons and packing materials such as bubble wrap when you self-pack – free of charge!

Once you are ready, we’ll pick up your boxes and deliver them to your new home Down Under.

Managing the customs clearance process for your shipment can be complicated, but you have no need to be concerned.

As part of our shipping service to Australia, we will take care of everything for you from door to door. We will guide you through any necessary customs documentation and our agents in Australia will take care of the customs process for you so you do not need to worry!

Our shipping quote includes basic customs clearance but not taxes, import duties and other customs charges such as any inspection and quarantine fees.

If we pack your container or shipment for you then we will compile a customs inventory on your behalf and we will also advise you of what other shipping documents are required.

We advise you to check carefully the list of prohibited and restricted items as well as how certain items should be prepared for import into Australia.

Our team will be able to advise you on Customs Clearance for Australia.

It is highly advisable to take out marine shipping insurance or shipment protection cover before you ship your personal effects or household goods to Australia.

Although it is doubtful to experience problems when shipping items from the UK to Australia, 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 different options available and guide you through completing the Shipment Protection Valuation form.