A view of Sydney, Australia after moving overseas

Shipping Furniture UK to Australia

Shipping personal belongings, household goods or furniture from the UK to Australia? You're in the right place! Get your free quote here or read on for everything you need to know about our international shipping services to Australia.

FREE Quote
trustpilot banner

Weekly Shipping For Household Goods, Personal Belongings & Furniture From the UK to Australia

We have over 25 years of experience shipping personal effects, household goods and furniture from the UK to Australia. If you are moving to Australia or if you need to ship your belongings to Australia from the UK, look no further. Here you can find expert information on the shipping process, how much it costs, answers to frequently asked questions and more.

Get a Free Quote Now
Costs

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Furniture to Australia?

Quick Answer

As a guide, the average cost to ship furniture and other personal effects from the United Kingdom to Australia starts from £760 for a small shipment (shared container) and from £3,177 for a larger shipment (full 20ft container). The final cost will vary depending on the exact size of your move, your destination in Australia, the value of your items and your chosen service.

To receive a free estimate tailored to your specific needs, simply request a free quote.

A view of Sydney, Australia after moving overseas

Ready to Start Your Journey? Get Your Free International Removals Quote Today

trustpilot banner
Shipping Options

Shipping Furniture & Personal Effects to Australia: What Are My Options?

Loading a Shared Container with 1st Move Pallets

Shared Container Shipping to Australia

This is the perfect option for smaller shipments that do not require the use of a full shipping container. This cost-effective solution allows you to share container space and cost.

Loading a Full Container with 1st Move Pallets

Full Container Shipping to Australia

This is the ideal solution for large shipments of personal effects, furniture and other household goods. If you are shipping the contents of a 3+ bedroom house, this service is ideal for you.

Our Services

What Does Our Australia Furniture Shipping Service Include?

For a stress fee shipping service to Australia there’s no substitute for experience. We have been helping families and individuals, just like you, ship furniture and personal belongings to Australia for over 25 years. We can taylor your move and shipping costs to suit your needs or your budget and our dedicated team of Australia shipping and moving specialists will help you find the service that is right for you.

Dedicated Move Manager

You will have a move manager who will be there to help you with all aspects of shipping furniture to Australia. From completing Australian Customs clearance forms, to understanding how long it takes to ship furniture and personal effects to Australia so things arrive right on time, our team will be here to help every step of the way from door to door.

Meet Our Team

Moving Insurance Cover

Choose the right protection for your belongings with our comprehensive shipping insurance. Covering loss or damage during transit and storage, our plans cater to a range of needs and budgets, offering you peace of mind throughout your move.

Our Insurance Options

Customs Clearance

Benefit from our in-depth customs knowledge to streamline shipping your personal belongings to Australia. As registered customs brokers, we handle all documentation and regulations, ensuring your belongings clear customs quickly and arrive at your new home in Australia without delay. Not sure what to expect? We've written an extensive guide on the customs process for shipping to Australia.

Australia Customs Guide
Testimonials

Our Happy Customers

Frequently Asked Questions

Guide to Shipping to Australia
Your Questions Answered:

Yes, you can ship furniure, personal effects and household goods to Australia easily by using a removals company such as 1st Move International.

The most cost-effective method of shipping furniture to Australia is by shared container. Full container services are also available for larger shipments.

To learn more about the process, our unbeatable packing and fast weekly shipping, simply request a free quote today or speak to one of our shipping experts live on our website.

The process of shipping furniture and personal effects to Australia is as follows:

  • Request a quote: First, request a free quote on our website or contact a member of our team. We will provide you with a detaimed quotation for your shipment that contains everything you need to know.
  • Book your shipment: If you are happy with your quote, use our booking form or get in touch to book your shipment with us. Once booked, your move manager will be in touch to get the process started and arrange a suitable collection date.
  • Collection & packing: Once your belongings have been collected and transported back to our warehouse, our team of experienced and professional packers will expertly pack your items using our safer packing techniques. Our unique packing offers the best protection for your furniture and personal effects and allows us to ship out on a weekly basis using consolidated container shipping services.
  • Paperwork: In the meantime, your move manager will be in touch to help you with any required paperwork and customs formalities to ensure a smooth shipment.
  • Shipping: As soon as your shipment is packed it will be booked onto the next available weekly ship headed for Australia. Once your shipment is on board the ship, we will send you your unique container number and the name of the vessel so that you can track your shipment to Australia in real time.
  • Arrival & customs clearance: On arrival, your shipment will be off-loaded from the shipping vessel and cleared by customs in Australia. Our experienced team will make sure that everything is in place to ensure that customs clearance goes without a hitch.
  • Delivery: Once your items are cleared and released, you can either collect them from the port yourself or we can deliver your shipment to a chosen address in Australia.

Please see our furniture shipping guide for more tips and information how to ship furniture overseas safely. We also have useful guides on shipping to Australia such as our Australia Customs guide for Personal Effects.

Whether it is worth shipping your furniture and/or personal effects to Australia depends on a few factors. Shipping costs are based on the total volume of your shipment, so it's important to be selective with what you decide to ship. Typically, if items are cheap and easy to replace in Australia then it may not be worth the shipping cost, however for items that are expensive, sentimental or hard to place, shipping them over to Australia is certainly worth the cost. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether it is worth shipping or not. Feel free to request a no-obligation quote to help you weigh the costs.

On average, the cost to ship furniture to Australia starts from £760 for a small shipment via shared container and from £3,300 for a full container shipment.

The costs of shipping furniture to Australia will vary depending on the amount of furniture items you are shipping, value, packing requirements and the destination in Australia. Prices will also increase if you are taking other belongings, apart from furniture, with you.

To receive a free, tailored quote for your shipment simply fill out the quick quote form on this page or get in touch with a member of our team today.

Here are the average furniture shipping costs for 2024 from the UK to main Australian cities.

Destination in Australia A few items of furniture in a Shared container Furniture from a 1 bed flat in a Shared Container Furniture from a 3 bed house in a 20ft Container Furniture from a 4 bed house in a 40ft container
Fremantle, WA From £763 From £1687 From £3315 From £4976
Adelaide, SA From £780 From £1755 From £3382 From £5066
Melbourne, VIC From £785 From £1792 From £3413 From £5117
Sydney, NSW From £760 From £1727 From £3346 From £5020
Brisbane, QLD From £771 From £1814 From £3457 From £5198
Darwin, NT From £979 From £2272 From £5198 From £6998
Burnie, TAS From £1129 From £2303 From £5254 From £7257
Hobart, TAS From £1194 From £2461 From £5306 From £7312

These are estimates, based on the shipping costs from our UK depot to the arrival port or inland depot in Australia. No two moves are the same and prices are affected by the volume you are shipping, packing requirements, insurance and other added services. For a tailored quotation, based on your own specific requirements, please complete our quotation form, or you can use our international removals cost calculator.

The cheapest way of shipping furniture to Australia is by sea freight. Shared container shipping is the most cost-effective method as it allows you to share container space (and cost) with other customers. For larger shipments, full container shipping might be more suitable.

De-clutter: When shipping furniture and personal belongings to Australia, size matters. Shipping costs are largely determined by the total volume of your shipment, so it's important to be selective with what you ship.

Packing: Where possible, you can opt to pack certain items yourself in order to save on packing costs. Our team will be happy to let you know what items you can pack yourself and which items may require professional packing. Please note that items that you pack yourself may not be covered by insurance.

Space Hacks: Make use of any empty space inside of furniture or common household items. The space inside of drawers, washing machines etc. can be great for storing smaller items and saving space. Our packers are experts at making the most of the space when professionally packing furniture and household goods.

Insurance: While we generally advise to always insurace your shipment, you may not need to insure everything. If costs are a concern, high value and fragile items should be the priority when it comes to insurance.

Yes, there are restrictions on shipping certain types of furniture to Australia. The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry enforces strict biosecurity regulations to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. Here are some key points to consider:

  • Wooden Furniture: Must be treated and certified to meet Australian biosecurity standards. Untreated or improperly treated wood may be subject to inspection, treatment, or disposal.
  • Upholstered Furniture: Must be free of contaminants such as soil, plant material, and animal products. Used upholstered furniture might require fumigation or other treatments.
  • Antique or Second-hand Furniture: Often subject to more stringent checks and may require additional documentation to prove they are free of pests and contaminants. Antiques over 100 years old must have a Certificate of Antiquity (CoA) to be duty-free. Antiques with a CoA and a value over AUD1000 will be duty-free but subject to GST. For items containing materials from endangered species (e.g., ivory), CITES permits are required. More information on importing antiques can be found on the Australian Border Force website here.
  • Prohibited Materials: Certain materials, such as untreated bark, straw, or raw timber, are not allowed.

Additional Considerations for Antiques:

  • Certificate of Antiquity (CoA): Necessary for items over 100 years old to prove their age. If not accepted, the Australian government may seek expert advice, for which the importer will be liable for costs.
  • Duty and Taxes: Low-value antiques (under AUD1000) are not subject to duty, though GST may be collected at the time of sale. Higher-value antiques (over AUD1000) with a CoA are duty-free but subject to GST.
  • Prohibited Goods: Certain antiques, such as weapons or items containing materials from endangered species, may face additional restrictions.
  • Biosecurity Inspections: Antiques made from organic materials like wood may require inspection and treatment to ensure they are free from pests and diseases.

The team at 1st Move International are experts on all regulations and restrictions when shipping furniture and personal belongings to Australia. If you have any questions, speak to one of our shipping experts live on our website or contact us here.

When calculating the cost of shipping furniture and personal effects to Australia, a few factors come into play:

Volume: When shipping goods overseas, size matters. You will be charged on the total volume of your packed furniture and belongings.

Shipping Method: Whether you require shared container, full container or air freight services will affect the cost of your shipment. Shared container is the cheapest options whereas air freight is the most expensive.

Required Services: Any additional services such as collection/delivery, storage etc will factor into your final cost.

Duties & Taxes: You may have to pay duty on new/unused items. Any items that are used can be imported duty free. See the Government of Australia’s webpage for bringing goods to Australia for more detailed information.

Value of Items: If you choose to insure any items for shipping, the value of these items will determine the cost to insure.

Request a free quote to receive a full estimate for your shipment with all cost included.

Yes, we offer a 10% early booking discount for any customers who book within 7 days of receiving their quote.

We also offer a 10% discounts for all students and Alumni.

The typical transit time for shipping furniture and personal effects to Australia ranges from 45 to 50 days. Below are some example transit times to popular destinations in Australia.

  • Sydney: 50 days
  • Melbourne: 45 days
  • Fremantle: 47 days
  • Brisbane: 57 days
  • Adelaide: 48 days

Please see our Australia container shipping schedule for more information.

As registered customs brokers, the team at 1st Move International will handle all customs formalities and requirements on your behalf. You will be informed of all paperwork and documentation required and our expert move managers will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

We also provide a wealth of information on our website, including a detailed customs guide for shipping personal effects into Australia which outlines the process, paperwork and anything else you may need to be aware of.

Yes, you can track your shipment as soon as it leaves the United Kingdom. We will provide you with a unique container tracking number and the name of the vessel, allowing you to track your shipment in real time using our container tracking tool.

It is recommended to insure high value or sentimental items for peace of mind. Our unbeatable packing provides the best protection for your furniture and personal effects in transit, however it is always best to be covered in the unlikely event of an item being damaged.

We provide three tiers of marine insurance cover to suit your budget.

Yes, you can ship antiques or high-value furniture and paintings to Australia, but there are specific regulations and considerations to keep in mind:

Antiques: Antiques over 100 years old can be shipped duty-free if you provide a valid Certificate of Antiquity (CoA). The CoA must state that the goods are over 100 years old. If the CoA is not accepted, Australian authorities may seek expert advice at your expense. Antiques with a CoA and a value over AUD1000 will be duty-free but subject to GST. For items containing materials from endangered species (e.g., ivory), CITES permits are required.

High-Value Furniture and Paintings: High-value items such as fine furniture and artwork can be shipped, but may be subject to duties and GST. The value of the items and whether they qualify as personal effects or household goods owned for at least 12 months can affect the duties and taxes payable. Proper packing and shipping methods should be used to ensure their safety during transit.

Our experienced team will handle all the customs regulations, documentation and any necessary permits. Our team will also handle professional packing and crating to ensure your valuables are offered the best protection during transit.

Yes, you absolutely can ship other household items and personal effects alongside your furniture. As an international removals company with over 25 years of experience shipping to Australia, we can handle all manner of personal effects shipments - not just furniture!

No, there’s no need to disassemble any furniture yourself. Our experienced staff will disassemble any necessary items upon collection or back at our warehouse facilities when professionally packing your items.

When your shipment arrives in Australia, our trusted agents will be in touch to assist with customs clearance and to arrange delivery. You will be provided with their contact details when your goods have left the UK.

Yes, we provide free storage from the point of collection to the point of departure (typically 7 to 12 days). We can also accommodate longer storage periods for a fee.

Yes, full door-to-door furniture shipping services are available. We offer a nationwide UK collection service and onward delivery to your chosen address in Australia can also be arranged.

speak to one of our shipping experts live on our website, give us a call on 0117 982 8123 or email us at sales@shipit.co.uk

For a free tailored quote simply complete the quick quote form on our website and we’ll get back to you with everything you need to know.

Resources

Resources for Shipping Furniture to Australia

Container Shipping Costs UK to Australia

Get the latest information on UK to Australia container shipping costs and container ports.

International Removals to Australia

Get the latest information on international removals from the UK to Australia including costs and services.

Australia Moving Guides

Whether you're looking for basic moving tips, city info, or full visa and immigration guides we've got you covered.

Car Shipping to Australia

We ship cars too. Get more information on our car shipping service.

Australia Container Shipping Schedules

We post up-to-date sailing schedule information and as part of our weekly shipping promise we'll tell you in advance what ship we can get your personal effects on.

Shipping Personal Effects to Australia Customs Guide

We cover all the legalities of shipping household goods from the UK to Australia.

Australia Customs Quarantine Info

Australian customs are known to be one of the strictest in the world so we've detailed what you can and cannot ship in to the country.

Your Pallets Packed - Posted Live on Facebook

Your life, carefully wrapped, beautifully packed, and protected for the journey ahead.

We are extremely proud of our unique packing process. We are the only international removals company in the UK that uses this tried and tested method to ship your treasured personal possessions overseas.

Visit our Facebook page to find a snapshot of each shipment captured as the final pallet is wrapped.