To ship your belongings safely overseas, you need three things: the right shipping method, proper packing, and sorted customs paperwork. Miss any of these, and your stuff could sit at the border for weeks. Overseas shipping doesn’t have to be stressful, but it does take some planning.
That’s where we come in. After helping hundreds of families ship their property from Australia, we know exactly what trips people up and how to avoid it.
So let’s break it down:
- Which shipping method suits your budget
- Paperwork you’ll need for customs clearance
- Protecting fragile items during transit
- Ways to keep your shipping costs down
Stick around, and you’ll know exactly what to do before your first box leaves the country.
What Does Overseas Shipping Involve?
Overseas shipping covers four main steps: packing, paperwork, customs clearance, and delivery to your new home. Get any of these wrong, and you’ll face delays.
Most people ship their belongings from Australia using sea, air, or courier services. But wait, there’s more to it than just picking a method and booking a shipment.
How long does it take? Usually, sea freight runs 4 to 8 weeks, air freight lands within days, and express courier is your fastest option for smaller items. The right choice depends on a few factors, which we’ll cover next.
International Shipping Methods: Which One Suits You?
The right method depends on your budget, timeline, and how much you’re shipping. At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
You’ve got three main choices: sea freight, air freight, and express courier. Each one suits specific needs, so let’s break them down.
1. Sea Freight
Sea Freight is the most affordable option for moving house with lots of belongings. You can book a Full Container Load (FCL) or share space with others using Less than Container Load (LCL).
In our experience, transit times range from 4 to 8 weeks, depending on your destination country.
2. Air Freight
Air freight costs more, but your belongings arrive in days rather than weeks. Most shipments land within 1 to 7 days. This option works well for items you’ll need shortly after arriving at your new home.
A good choice for things like work clothes, laptops, or kitchen basics you’ll need soon after arriving.
3. Express Courier
Need something there fast? Then express courier is your best bet.
The service delivers within a few business days for major destinations like the UK or the USA. So it’s perfect for urgent documents or smaller items. But if you need to move all your furniture and boxes, it’s not the most practical choice.
Required Documentation for Customs Clearance
Let’s be honest here. Every international shipment needs paperwork, and one missing form can hold your belongings at the border for weeks.
Before your shipment leaves Australia, you’ll need a commercial invoice, a packing list, and the right HS codes.
Here’s what each one does.
Commercial Invoice and Packing List
A commercial invoice lists item descriptions, quantities, and declared values. Your packing list breaks down what’s in each box. Both must match exactly, or you’ll face holdups (and yes, we’ve seen shipments stuck for weeks over a missing signature).
You’ll also need HS codes, standard classification numbers that the World Customs Organization manages.
Border Protection Requirements
Australian Border Protection checks for prohibited items and dangerous goods. Perishable food items, plants, and wood often require permits or are banned.
For a full list, visit the Australian Border Force website.
That’s the paperwork covered. But what about protecting what’s inside those boxes?
How Do You Pack Fragile Items for International Shipping?
Pack fragile items with bubble wrap, double-boxing, and clear labelling. Your belongings pass through dozens of hands and multiple climate zones, so extra protection goes a long way.
When you’re ready to pack, wrap each item individually and fill empty spaces so nothing shifts during transit. For valuable items, double-boxing works best. Place the wrapped item in a smaller box, then cushion it inside a larger one. Don’t forget to label both boxes as “Fragile” on multiple sides.
From our experience helping Brisbane families ship overseas, professional crating gives fragile items the utmost care during the journey.
Now let’s look at how to keep your shipping costs down.
Simple Ways to Save Money on Shipping Rates
International shipping doesn’t have to break the bank. Most people overpay because they don’t compare options or ship things they don’t need.
These two tips can save you hundreds.
1. Compare Multiple Quotes
Shipping rates vary more than you’d expect, so get at least three quotes. Then check what each one covers. Some exclude insurance, customs fees, or biosecurity costs, which the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry charges separately.
After years of quoting international moves, we’ve found that calling the business directly beats online tools for accuracy.
2. Declutter Before Moving House
Remember, every kilo costs money. So before you pack, sell, donate, or bin items you won’t need in your new house (we’ve all got that box of “maybe one day” stuff gathering dust).
Your First Night Overseas: What to Pack in Your Survival Box
Pack toiletries, phone chargers, basic medications, a change of clothes, and your passport with important documents. Sending your main parcel overseas might take weeks to arrive, so this survival box keeps you covered for your first night and beyond.
You might also want bedding or sleeping bags if your furniture’s delayed. Better safe than sorry when you’re adjusting to a new environment.
Believe it or not, a kettle, mugs, and instant coffee go a long way after a long flight. Nothing settles the nerves like a hot cuppa when everything else is still in boxes. So, send this box via express courier or carry it with you.
Helpful Tip: Don’t forget adaptor plugs since Australian ones won’t fit most overseas sockets.
Ready to Ship Your Life Overseas?
International shipping of your belongings doesn’t have to be stressful. A bit of prep goes a long way, and now you’ve got the know-how to make it happen smoothly.
At Gooferman, we’ve helped customers across Australia ship their lives overseas for over a decade. We handle the tricky bits like customs paperwork, packing, and coordinating your shipment. That way, you can focus on the exciting part: settling into a new country.
Reach out for a free quote, and let’s get your move sorted.