Shipping Furniture UK to Australia

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.

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 our MoveProtect cover.

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 insure 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 shipment protection 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.