Shipping and Removals in Australia

Many reputable companies offer shipping and removal services to and from Australia. If you’re an expat relocating to the country, you can import your belongings duty-free, provided you’ve had them for 12 months. Many of the country’s major cities are positioned on the coast, and most have ports that are efficient and well-managed.

That said, shipping to a country as far removed as Australia can be an expensive and time-consuming endeavour. You’ll have to choose between sea and air freight; while sea freight is more affordable, it will be slower than air freight.

Shipping furniture to Australia

Furnished housing is less common in Australia, but it’s relatively easy and affordable to kit out unfurnished accommodation – much cheaper than shipping over goods and furniture from abroad, in any case.

If you decide to ship your goods to Australia, you will have to jump through several bureaucratic hoops and spend quite a bit of money. Ensure that all the goods you’re shipping are clean and contaminant-free to avoid delays or penalties.

We recommend purchasing an insurance policy for your goods from an insurance company that is different from the shipping company to ensure your goods are protected.

Shipping cars to Australia

Before shipping, you must ensure your car complies with safety and emission standards. A Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) is necessary to ship a vehicle into Australia, and you must be eligible to drive in Australia before you receive your VIA. The application for a VIA typically takes between four and six weeks.

The shipment will also incur a customs duty. However, if the vehicle’s owner is staying in the country for less than 12 months, they may be exempt from these requirements. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry inspects all vehicles shipped into Australia to ensure they are free of contaminants.

Useful links

• Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport

Cost of shipping to Australia

Shipping, both by sea and air, can be incredibly expensive. In many cases, if you’re relocating for work, your employer may foot the shipping bill or at least provide a relocation allowance.

Shipping by sea is generally less expensive than by air, but it takes much longer. We recommend using a combination of both, shipping essential goods by air and other possessions by sea.

Costs depend on the volume of goods shipped, their weight, and the distance the cargo must travel. Before deciding which service provider to use, it’s a good idea to solicit at least three quotes. This will give you an overview of the going rates.

You should know that shippers often tack on additional expenses for certain packing materials, handling and hoisting of excessively large items, and certain processing requirements.

You may also be asked to prove ownership of certain items by presenting receipts or insurance papers. It’s best to have these on hand, especially for new electronic goods.

Shipping pets to Australia

Shipping pets to Australia can be a complex process that requires careful planning and documentation. Pets must be microchipped and have certain vaccinations.

You must also obtain an import permit from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry. Only cats, dogs, and horses from selected countries can be brought into Australia, while rabbits and birds can only be brought into the country if they are from New Zealand.

Pets from some countries may also be quarantined. Dog owners should note that some dog breeds, such as pit bull terriers, are considered dangerous and cannot be brought into Australia at all.

Read more

• Moving Pets to Australia
• Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry – Bringing cats and dogs