7 min. read
Shipping Belongings from the UK to Australia
The island continent’s high ranking on global indexes for standard of living, life quality, education, economic freedom, and healthcare, makes it the perfect destination for many people in the UK wanting to move to another location.
But moving your life to an altogether different continent involves a lot of planning and preparation. One of the most critical of them is shipping personal belongings from the UK to Australia. While there is no shortage of international shipping options, knowing what best suits your requirements can make all the difference.
Let’s take a detailed look at the popular international shipping options, transit times, costs, and more-
What are the Different Ways for Shipping Belongings from the UK to Australia?
As Australia is an island continent, it abundantly relies on its strong sea and air network to ship to and from other countries. Here’s a quick overview of the different shipping methods you can consider to ship your belongings to Australia from the UK-
1. Shipping by Sea
Shipping via sea is commonly preferred by people who are looking to send a lot of their personal belongings to Australia at once, especially when there is no urgency regarding the transit times.
To send your goods from the UK to Australia, you’ll have to look for an international shipping service provider. They’ll provide you with all the assistance you need about how to package the goods, the documentation you’ll need, pricing, and transit times.
With sea shipping, one vital consideration is whether you need FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than Container Load). As the name suggests, FCL allows you to book the entire container for your goods. With LCL, your goods are consolidated along with others within a single container.
2. Shipping by Air
Due to its speed, air freight or air cargo is gaining vast popularity among people shipping boxes from the UK to Australia. Compared to shipping via sea, air cargo is significantly faster, making it a preferred choice for people who want their goods shipped as quickly as possible.
Just like sea shipping, air shipping also requires you to contact an international shipping provider who will assist you with all the steps involved in shipping goods from the UK to Australia successfully.
Like shipping by sea, air shipping also allows you to choose between direct shipping and consolidated shipping. With direct shipping, a dedicated cargo space is reserved for your goods while in consolidated shipping, the cargo space is shared with other goods. Direct shipping is faster than consolidated shipping as the aircraft does not make any intermediate stops between the origin and the destination.
What is the Cost of Shipping Belongings from the UK to Australia?
While the cost will abundantly depend on the shipping method and shipping provider you select, here’s a brief overview-
- Sea Freight- Shipping via sea is more economical but slower. If you want to ship your personal belongings from the UK to Australia by sea, the cost ranges between £2 to £5 per kilogram, based on factors like shipping volume, container size, transit time, and destination.
- Air Freight- Air cargo reaches your destination faster but also costs more. If you want to ship the products by air, the cost can range from £3 to £10 per kilogram for standard shipping, with express options costing more.
What is the Transit Duration for Shipping Belongings from the UK to Australia?
When moving personal belongings from the UK to Australia, another aspect you should keep in mind is the transit duration. Here’s an overview-
- Sea Freight- As mentioned above, sea freight is more cost-effective but slower. Shipments from the UK to Australia via sea can take anywhere between 20 to 40 days. If you’re planning to move to Australia in a month or two, shipping via sea can be a viable solution.
- Air Freight- Compared to sea freight, air freight is significantly faster. On average, shipments from the UK to Australia take around 5-10 days. There are also service providers that guarantee faster transits. So, if you want to move to Australia within a week or so, air freight can be the right option.
What are the Things You Should Know About Shipping Personal Belongings from the UK to Australia?
Apart from the points discussed above, there are a few other things that deserve your attention if you want to ship your goods from the UK to Australia. Take a look-
1. Documentation
Needless to say, you need to fulfill the documentation requirements when shipping items from the UK to Australia. The requirements vary for personal belongings, commercial goods, and UPE (Unaccompanied Personal Effects).
To begin with, every consignment needs a customs form declaring all the included items. Based on the content, you might also have to provide-
- Declaration form from the Australian Border Force
- Packing list, invoice, personal ID photographs
- Retail value of all the items
Shipping companies can provide a detailed list of all the documents you’ll need and also assist you with all the customs clearance procedures.
2. Customs Information
To ship goods from the UK to Australia, you’ll have to complete the customs invoice. Your shipping provider can help you in this regard.
If the shipment value is up to $1,000 AUD, there won’t be any import taxes or fees. However, if the shipment value is higher than this amount, an Import Declaration must be submitted. Based on the shipment, the customs department will then charge an import fee.
3. Restricted Items
There are several items international shipping companies don’t ship due to import regulations. Here’s a quick list of such prohibited items-
- Combustible liquids
- Flammables
- Compressed gasses
- Narcotics
- Firearms, weapons, and ammunition
- Animal or plant product
- Corrosives
- Alcohol and food in some cases
4. Bio-Security Inspection
When shipping belongings from the UK to Australia, especially household goods, the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources will inspect the same to ensure they comply with all the import guidelines.
There is an additional fee for this inspection, based on the consignment value and what is included in the consignment. For instance, if the consignment contains electronics that cost up to 1,000 AUD, the inspection fee is 50 AUD. Electronic consignments valued over $1,000 AUD have an inspection fee of $150 AUD.
You can visit the official Cost of Importing Goods page of the Australian Border Force to check the latest inspection charges for various goods categories.
5. Insurance
While insurance is not mandatory when shipping goods from the UK to Australia, it is highly recommended. Most leading shipping companies offer basic liability coverage. However, this might not be enough to cover the total cost of your consignment, especially when you’re shipping expensive items.
Thus, you must consider purchasing comprehensive shipping coverage that can cover the cost of your belongings in case of damage, loss, or theft during transit.
Tips to Pack Your Goods When Shipping from the UK to Australia
Now that you have all the details you need for shipping belongings from the UK to Australia, let’s take a look at some tips that can help you pack the belongings-
Only Ship What You Actually Need
Volume is the most significant factor that affects the shipping costs. Thus, it makes sense to only ship things you’ll need in Australia. You can save a considerable amount of money by decluttering your belongings and shipping the essentials.
Use Padding
The journey is full of ups and downs for your consignment during the transit. Thus, to protect your belongings from damage, you must pack everything securely and use plenty of padding. It’d be wise if you worked with a professional packaging company.
Tape the Boxes
Apart from the middle seam, ensure you also tape the bottom seam of the box for improved sturdiness. A few extra strips of tape won’t cost much but can definitely offer extra protection to your expensive goods.
Label All the Items
Ensure all the boxes are labeled with the items they include. A box labeled with fragile items can thus be handled more carefully by the movers and customs officials. Also, keep a detailed inventory of your belongings so that you can confirm whether or not all the items reach the destination.
Ready to Ship Belongings from the UK to Australia?
Now that you know the cheapest ways to ship boxes from the UK to Australia and what the various options you can consider are, start putting this knowledge to use. While all of this information might seem like a lot, it’s not as complicated when you work with a trusted shipping company.
So, ensure you only choose a reputable shipping partner for a hassle-free experience. If you’re located in Australia and want to shop from top UK brands, JetKrate can help. With competitive rates, complete transparency, and a quick and easy shipping process, we can eliminate all the hassles associated with shopping from international stores. Visit us to know more.
FAQs
1. How much does it cost to ship from the UK to Australia?
Shipping costs vary based on shipping method, consignment size, and weight. Shipping by sea can cost £2 to £5 per kilogram while air fright is more expensive and costs around £3 to £10 per kilogram.
2. What is the cheapest way to send a parcel from the UK to Australia?
Sea freight is generally known as the cheapest option for sending parcels from the UK to Australia.
3. Do I have to pay customs for a package from the UK to Australia?
Customs duties may apply on packages from the UK to Australia based on the contents and cost of the package.
4. How long is shipping from the UK to Australia?
Transit times can range from 20-40 days by sea and 5-10 days by air.
5. Can I send jewelry to Australia from the UK?
Yes, you can send jewelry from the UK to Australia but it might be subject to customs regulations and import taxes.