Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 24 2025
Sea Freight: How Much Does Shipping a Container To Australia Cost?
Several factors influence the cost of transporting a container to Australia. As a result, shipping costs vary greatly and might be a complicated issue at times. You don’t have to be concerned, though, because Three Movers can assist you with sending your receptacle to AUS. We are a seasoned and competent moving company and can help you easily ship to the area.
Factors That Affect Receptacles Carrier Cost
The following factors are considered when calculating the expense of shipping receptacles to Australia:-
The Volume/Weight Of The Goods
The mode of transport you choose will have a significant impact. When dispatching via sea, for instance, the dimensions of your packages are of greater importance than their weight; while sending via air, the opposite is true. The volume or weight of your belongings will decide how much it will command to send them to your new residence or place of business. Let's take a close look at a real moving container ship!

Type Of Transport
The mode of transportation also determines the cost and time it takes for your goods to arrive. Air freight transportation is typically faster and more expensive than sea freight. Sea freight, on the other hand, is usually five times less expensive than air freight. As a result, it’s up to you to decide which transportation mode is better.

The Distance Of The Journey
Shipping your belongings halfway across the world will undoubtedly be more expensive than a quick trip over the Mediterranean. In other words, the greater the distance, the higher the expense. Furthermore, costs are typically affected when your goods are transported from door to door or port to port. To avoid logistical issues, though, it’s best to use door-to-door services.

The Destination Port
Customs tariffs and service costs are unavoidable in every country. However, they differ from country to country. The customs tariffs on most imported products are 5% of the value of the goods converted to Australian dollars.
The Time Of Year
International dispatch, like any other industry, has peak seasons. Summer (mid-August) is usually the start of the peak season for shipping in Australia, whereas winter is the low season. Prices for goods delivered to the port of Brisbane are normally higher during the peak season since demand is higher. Hence, avoid logistics during the peak season if you want the greatest deals.

Which Size Of Shipping Container Works Best For Me?
There are at least 16 types available. However, only two should be known related to shipping: the 20-ft and the 40-ft. The rest are primarily for business-related or industrial moves.
How Big Is A 20ft Receptacle?
It can typically store the contents of a three-bedroom home. In other words, it can store furniture, televisions, refrigerators, storage bins, and mattresses. You can easily picture the size of a 20-foot container if you’ve seen the size of a single garage.

How Big Is A 40ft Container?
You’ll discover that a 40-foot container is a better value for money when you have a lot of things to move. A 20-foot receptacle, for example, won’t be spacious enough for other stuff if you have a car you can’t leave behind. Thus, if you wish to transport your car and other home items, you’ll most likely require a 40-foot.
The Difference Between FCL And LCL
If the number of items you wish to send is small, you may not need to pay for the entire Crates. We’ve devised a mechanism for persons with small cargo volumes where numerous clients can share a receptacle. This part-load shipment is called a ‘Less Than Container Load’ (LCL).
If you’re moving to Australia with the contents of a one-bedroom apartment, LCL is a good option. However, volume beyond that usually necessitates the use of an entire receptacle. This shipping service is called a ‘Full Container Load’ (FCL) or a sole-use shipment.

Average Container Shipping Rates Estimates

Full Container Load
Full Container Load shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets, and anything that requires full hauling to Australia of up to 45,000 lbs.
- 20 ft Crates $1550
- 40 ft Crates $1850

Less Than Container
LCL shipping is a more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Australia.
- LCL $55/CBM
- Household Goods $450
- Personal Effects $360

International House Moving Cost
International house moving to Australia services – quick, easy, and cheap.
- Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) $460
- 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) $2340
- 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) $2800
- 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) $3870

Container Car Shipping
International auto transport services to Australia via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, boats, RVs, and heavy equipment.
- Container Car Shipping
- Sedan $1850
- SUV $1900
- Sedan via RORO $700
- SUV via RORO $750

Understanding The Different Types Of Freight Transportation
When it comes to international shipping prices, the mode of transportation is another important consideration. It all boils down to determining what is more essential to you. Do you want to save costs or have your items arrive as soon as possible? This information will assist you in balancing your priorities. Highlighted below are the different types of freight transportation:

Sea Freight
Sea freight is nearly five times cheaper in Australia than air freight. Thus, to save costs, you might want to consider using this means of transportation. Furthermore, container ships are also the most environmentally beneficial option, as they produce the least carbon.

Air Freight
This is the best option if you’re seeking a quick way to ship some items to Australia. Air-freight shipping takes a day or two between any two global destinations. Sea freight, on the other hand, is a different story. It usually takes at least a couple of weeks for goods to reach their destination through sea transportation.

Truck Freight
This is one of the most straightforward methods for transporting your goods via land. Unlike train freight, your goods can be delivered directly to your home without loading and unloading.
Furthermore, the schedules of truck freight are usually more flexible than that of train freight.
Additional Shipping Costs
After deciding on whatever mode of transportation you’ll use, you’ll need to consider additional shipping charges. These include the following:
- Customs duties
- General Rate Increase (GRI)
- Container inspection fees
- Inland delivery charges
- Quarantine fees
- Insurance cover

Delivery & Loading Options
Another essential factor that can affect the cost of delivering and loading shipping containers is that if you plan to move by FCL, you might have three choices depending on the NVOCC mover forwarder.
1. Port to Port
It is one of the basics, upon which the rates on top are based. Essentially, port-to-port shipping enables you to get your goods to the origin port, then the company delivers them to the destined port, and after that, you are liable to get them to your house.

2. Drop & Fill
The shipping company drops the container here at your home, and then you fill it by yourself. You can also use domestic packers and movers working separately from the company to help out.
Furthermore, this is a choice on your moves, another end where the company leaves a container at your house, and then it is up to you to unload it.

3. Door to Door Moves
The most well-understood option for overseas people is a comprehensive door-to-door moving service. Depending on the option you pick, your mover arranges to deliver the container to your house, move to port, pack, ship, move to the new location, and, lastly, unpack.
Insurance:
If you plan to move everything in your house overseas, it is necessary to insure everything. Therefore confirm if the company you chose has adequate maritime insurance. Thus, it gives you a stress-free mind that if anything gets broken or damaged while moving, you won't be out of pocket.

Packing Costs:
Most companies in charge of moving require that it is up to them to pack all your goods. On the other hand, it may sound like adding on extra costs, yet it has good benefits. Firstly, it helps prevent fraudulent insurance claims that drive up the price for everyone. Secondly, it is a requirement for duty and taxes.
Taxes/Customs/Duty Charges:
Before you ship everything overseas, it is preferable to have some knowledge regarding the new country's treatment of international moves. A few impose duties or taxes on the value of the goods that enter the country. Knowing how much it likely is before moving is excellent so you won't face unpleasant surprises.

Storage:
If you don't plan to live permanently abroad, it is worthwhile to check the storage cost in your motherland because it is cheaper than shipping your entire house abroad and back again, especially if your homeland also charges duties and taxes on the shipped goods.

Shipping Cars to Australia
From some useful pieces of furniture to whole household removal, we handle car/auto shipping for more than a thousand satisfied clients throughout the year. Our professional packing crew can deal with the characteristics of customs clearance. While our domestic partner delivers your household goods and cars directly to the new house, unpack and remove debris. We offer complete transit insurance so that you can be stress-free and feel protected.
- All the paperwork and customs clearance are negotiated with door-to-door service.
- Detailed transit insurance
- Pick and pack your belongings or complete the export packing service
- Storage accessible in Australia or another country
- Furniture delivery to the new house, along with unwrapping
- Selection of part or total load freight to suit budget
- Car shipping to the new home
- Daily sailing to Australia, along with onward deliveries all over the country
- Shipped in metal, secured crates under customs seal
Are you wondering how to ship a car to the Land Down Under? It's alright. We provide roll-on and roll-off shipping cars or a selection of container carriers. Our daily vehicle moving calendar means departures weekly to Australia, and we plan complete transit insurance so that you are stress-free. For non-running or greater-value cars, we collect them directly from the office or house and then deliver them directly to the port.
Are you wondering how to ship your car to Australia? We offer a choice of services. When you import your car, we provide a choice of full customs clearance or a door-to-port service where you can collect your car directly.
- Secured storage available
- Container used or roll-on roll-off car shipping
- Detailed transit insurance
- Complete car customs clearance assistance
- Nationwide collection service
- Weekly trucking schedule to Australia

How Much It Cost to Ship Furniture To Australia
When you're moving to Australia, you want to bring everything. But taking everything with you on the flight is impossible as there is a weight limit. So what do you do? Well, you can always use the shipping method. It has no weight limitations and is also very cheap. You can send any amount of things via dispatching. You can ship your entire house’s worth of things via Sea. You can also ship your furniture. The sea-hauling method is the cheapest way to ship your belongings. It is relatively slower than Air freight, but it is way cheaper.
Before we discuss the cost of shipping furniture to Australia, we should discuss how relevant it is to ship it over such a long distance. You should know the condition of the furniture. If the furniture is old, weak, and full of termites, dispatching it wastes money. Also, you should know if the furniture fits your new home and is relevant to your life. Also, make sure to disassemble your furniture while packing, as it makes it easier to pack and load.
The cost of moving furniture will depend on the distance, weight, volume, and dimensions of the box you choose. The rates for containers are mentioned above.

Particular Shipping Rates – What Is Its Cost?
Standard vehicle shipping charges to Armenia fell from 2,000 dollars to 5,000 dollars for almost all vehicles. Recently, there has been a change in the added tax value that Australia charges over imported vehicles; therefore, we encourage readers to get a free-of-cost estimate for many exact figures.
- Time and price get estimated. They differ depending on the kind of vehicle and the season.
- If you deliver the vehicle to the nearby port, save on ground transport costs.
- Additionally, enable a process of 10 days for processing the documents.
Price for a single automobile in a 20-ft dedicated container. Thus, it is the most reliable and safest way for transporting vehicles internationally. Other things that are included in the container so that you can save cash while moving. The roll-on roll-off procedure is less costly, with the shipments completed in fewer days. You contact us to get an available RoRo quote.
When you consider shipping freight of your car to Australia, it is essential to work with a trucking carrier that is extremely experienced regarding all the procedures from end to end. Regulations certainly heed the export/import of automobiles, and shippers who are well-versed in such regulations can avoid horrible mistakes in the procedure.
Australia exults over the performance and safety of every vehicle conducted within the nation, and all vehicles received into the nation will be subject to a similar standard, just like the other local vehicles. To ensure submission to such standards, it might be important to have a few maintenance and modification jobs done on the vehicle, and then you are responsible for the expense of such maintenance.
The Land Down Under is a big island continent with many ports, and many of them charge various charges for inbound cargo; therefore, it requires a familiar shipper to secure many favorable destinations and routes for the shipment.

Popular Destinations
- Wollongong
- Sydney
- Queanbeyan
- Perth
- Newcastle
- Melbourne
- Hobart
- Gold Coast
- Geelong
- Canberra
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
Other Types Of Automobiles We Transport To Australia
Some other vehicles we transport to Australia are Motorcycles.

What Is the Cost of Shipping One Container From the UK or the US?
A 20-foot container holds about 40 cubic meters of cargo, or 9,257 cubic feet. A typical 20-foot receptacle can hold the contents of an entire five-bedroom house. Shipping one Crate from the UK or the US typically varies between $800 and $2,000. Many factors affect this price, including the distance and the number of days for delivery. Also, you will pay more to ship one container to Australia than if it were destined for New York.
This is because the added fuel costs associated with transporting receptacles over greater distances mean that freight costs increase exponentially as you travel further away from an origin port. For this reason, many shipping lines offer premium services to customers willing to pay more for their shipments. However, premium services do not necessarily guarantee lower prices.
The expense of container shipping from the UK to Australia also varies depending on road/ferry costs and fees associated with special permits. Hauling to Australia is more expensive than other locations because the extra distance makes it an international rather than a domestic shipment.
Therefore, it is more difficult and costly for companies that specialize in only one country's freight. Carrying one receptacle to Australia is typically between $1,200 and $2,000.Generally speaking, if you are importing goods by sea to Australia, the total process can take 2-3 weeks longer than it would take to import goods to North America. The charge of shipping one container to Australia is typically around $1,500.
The costs for sending one 20-ft Crate to Australia can range between $2,000 and $3,500, depending on the type of service you would like your shipment delivered with. Freight rates vary greatly depending on the expense of moving your items domestically. Other factors affect how much sending a receptacle across the country prices.

How much does it cost to ship a container from Australia to the USA?
About $550-700. The cost depends on the size and weight of the container and its contents, as well as which shipping line you choose. The expense to ship a 20 ft Boxes from Sydney to New York: $5950 Fee to ship a 40ft sea freight from Melbourne to Los Angeles: $ 5300 Cost to ship a 20ft from Perth to Los Angeles: $2200.

Freight from Australia to the USA
When shipping a 20-ft container from Sydney to New York, your final cost will depend on whether you hire a trucking company to bring the container from your house to the port. You'll pay extra for this service. The delivery fee is usually around $400-$500. You must pay an exit fee of around $100-$150.
The cost to ship a 20 ft container from Sydney to New York:$5950 to ship a 40ft sea freight receptacle from Melbourne to Los Angeles is $ 5300, and the cost to ship a 20ft Crate from Perth to Los Angeles is $2200.
What are the necessary things for shipping?
Can a receptacle be shipped without customs formalities in this case, or must I inform my government about its contents? Can you give me the cost of shipping a 40-foot container to Australia?
We can deliver your goods in 20-foot FCL containers. The price depends on the weight of your goods and will be given after we have received a phone call from you or an e-mail with the list of goods. We offer excellent special offers to different destinations.
The key factors that affect motor carrier rates are:
- ·Distance
- ·Weight
- ·Freight class
- Quantity
- Type of equipment.
If the destination is outside a free trade zone, you will need an import/export broker for customs clearances and local transportation. We can make all shipments FAS (Free Alongside Ship) or FOB ( Free on Board ), as per your preference.
- Distance – The cost of fuel and the distance traveled is the biggest factor that affects motor carrier rates
- Weight – The weight of the shipment, especially over long distances, has a major impact on the overall costs to ship a 40ft container to Australia
- Freight Class – The type of goods shipped is a major factor in determining the cost to ship a 40ft container
- Quantity – Smaller shipments are less expensive to shipper units than larger ones
- ·Type of equipment – Different types of equipment have different transportation requirements, which can influence motor carrier rates.
The cost of container shipping to Australia can vary greatly depending on the type and weight of goods being shipped and the distance you need us to move them. It is relatively more expensive to ship a 40-foot container to Australia than the 20-foot or 30-foot sizes. Generally speaking, ocean freight rates increase for every 500 miles from the port of origin. Call Three Movers to get quotes today!

Relevant Statistics
- Birmingham is home to over 100 reputable moving companies.
- Approximately 85% of residents in Birmingham hire professional movers when relocating.
- On average, Birmingham movers assist in approximately 10,000 moves per year.
- The satisfaction rate for moving services in Birmingham is an impressive 96%.
- More than 70% of customers who use Birmingham movers recommend their services to others.
General Facts
- Birmingham movers are professional companies that provide relocation services in Birmingham.
- These movers offer services such as packing, loading, transportation, and unloading of belongings during a move.
- Birmingham movers have experience in handling various types of moves, including residential and commercial relocations.
- They often provide additional services like furniture assembly, storage, and packing supplies.
- Hiring Birmingham movers can make the moving process easier and more efficient, saving time and effort for individuals and businesses.
Average Container Shipping Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets, and anything that requires a full container shipping to Australia of up to 45,000 lbs.

Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $1550 |
| 40 ft Container | $1850 |

LCL shipping is a more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Australia.
Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $55/CBM |
| Household Goods | $450 |
| Personal Effects | $360 |
International House moving to Australia services - quick, easy, and cheap.

International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $460 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $2340 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $2800 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $3870 |

International auto transport services to Australia via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, SUVs, ATV's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment, and more.
Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $1850 |
| SUV (Container) | $1900 |
| Sedan via RORO | $700 |
| SUV via RORO | $750 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of shipping a container to Australia typically ranges from 3,000 to 8,500 USD for a 20ft container and 4,500 to 12,000 USD for a 40ft container. Pricing is influenced by container size, origin port, fuel surcharges, seasonality, and whether you choose sole-use or shared space. Door-to-door service, packing, customs clearance, and inland delivery can add 1,500 to 4,000 USD. See related international moving cost factors at international moving costs.
Shipping a 20ft container to Australia generally costs between 3,000 and 8,500 USD. Lower rates apply to port-to-port shipments from major U.S. or UK ports, while higher costs reflect door-to-door delivery, remote Australian destinations, or peak shipping seasons. Final pricing is shaped by load volume, customs handling, quarantine inspections, insurance, and port congestion. This option suits small homes, apartments, or partial household relocations.
A container shipping cost calculator provides a fast estimate based on container size, origin country, destination port, and service level. These tools reflect current ocean freight averages but exclude variable costs such as quarantine cleaning, GST, customs duties, and inland transport. Calculators are best used for early budgeting, with final quotes confirmed after inventory review and routing details. For broader context, review moving overseas shipping costs.
Container shipping to Australia usually takes 20 to 40 days by sea, depending on the departure port and carrier routing. U.S. West Coast shipments trend shorter, while East Coast or UK routes take longer. Customs clearance and biosecurity inspections typically add 3 to 7 business days. Door-to-door services may extend timelines due to inland transport scheduling and delivery access restrictions.
Most imported household goods are subject to Australia’s 10 percent Goods and Services Tax if they do not qualify for personal effects exemptions. GST is calculated on the customs value plus duty, freight, and insurance. Quarantine inspection fees and port handling charges also apply. Final assessments are issued by Australian Border Force and Biosecurity authorities during clearance.
Australia enforces strict biosecurity rules. Prohibited or restricted items include untreated wood, soil-contaminated equipment, certain foods, animal products, plants, and organic materials. Items like outdoor furniture, bikes, and tools often require professional cleaning before shipment. Non-compliance can lead to delays, fines, or destruction of goods during inspection at Australian ports.
Shared container shipping, also called groupage or consolidation, can reduce costs by 30 to 50 percent compared to a full container. Your goods share space with other shipments, making it suitable for small moves. Transit times are usually longer due to consolidation and deconsolidation steps, but it remains a cost-effective option for limited inventories or partial household relocations.