Container Shipping to Australia from the UK is easy with Simpsons

Get a cost for shipping containers to Australia with our online international container shipping rate calculator.


International container shipping is the best way to transport a large volume of household goods or personal effects from the UK to Australia. We offer a very comprehensive and cost-effective container shipping service, including door-to-door collection and delivery, professional packing service and customs clearance.

We help a large number of people move their belongings and goods to Australia, so we can offer very competitive shipping rates for everything from 20ft and 40ft containers for larger moves and economical shared containers or groupage service for smaller moves.

Don’t worry if you’re not experienced in international removals and shipping containers, as we will appoint you a personal Move Manager to organise your shipment, guide you through all the paperwork and take all the stress out of your move.

How to move from the UK to Australia using our International Container Shipping Service

packing a 20ft shipping container

Cost of Shipping Container to Australia from UK

We aim to provide the cheapest container shipping service whilst not compromising on quality of service. As we undertake many moves and shipments to Australia, we can offer very competitive shipping rates.

There are many factors that make up the cost of shipping containers to Australia. These include:

  • The volume of goods being shipped
  • Packing services
  • Container shipping freight rates
  • Collection and delivery to and from the port
  • Customs clearance
  • Customs duties and port fees
  • Time of year / current exchange rates

How Door-To-Door Container Shipping To Australia Works

We aim to make the international removals and shipping process as simple and stress-free as possible:

  1. A surveyor will calculate the volume of goods you send to allocate the most appropriately sized shipping container.
  2. Your Move Manager will organise the logistics of your move and guide you through completing the required shipping and customs documents.
  3. On move day, our packing team will arrive to expertly pack all your belongings and furniture and load them onto the shipping container.
  4. For shared container moves, we will take your belongings to our depot for loading.
  5. Once your shipment arrives at its destination port in Australia, our customs agents will handle customs clearance on your behalf.
  6. Once cleared from customs and any fees or duties paid, we will arrange delivery to your new address in Australia.
international container shipping service

Shipping container options and sizes for Australia

We offer a full range of shipping container sizes to suit your needs. You don’t need to worry about the container size at this stage. Our professional International Removal Surveyors will analyse your requirements to calculate your volume accurately.

shipping container options and sizesFull Container Loads (FCL)

For larger shipments, you can have a dedicated container for your sole use. Different sizes are available depending on your needs.

Standard 20ft Shipping Container

Probably the most common for household removals to Australia, our 20ft shipping containers are approximately 1,170 cubic feet volume, which is enough for a typical 3 bedroom house.

Standard 40ft Shipping Container

If you have a larger amount of furniture and household goods, our 40ft shipping container is 2,386 cubic feet, which is enough for a typical 4-5 bedroom house and can also fit a car or vehicle.

40ft HC Shipping Container (High Cube)

The high cube shipping container is similar to the standard 40ft but is slightly higher to allow for more volume (around 2690 cubic feet).

Shared Container Loads (LCL) – Groupage

Using our groupage service for smaller shipments to Australia is much more economical than using a small-sized shipping container (such as 8ft or 10ft). Here, your belongings are packed and consolidated together with other customers to save money by sharing the costs of a shipping container. This is also known as Less Than Container Load (LCL).

Contact our International Removals Consultants for advice and to get a quote for Moving to Australia

Our International removals consultant will make your international move to Australia easier. The international removal consultants will be able to advise you based on your specific needs and requirements. Due to the number of overseas moves we conduct, our team is highly knowledgeable about the removals process and will be extremely helpful.

We recommend you book a home or video survey to get a more accurate quote for your international removals from the UK to Australia. For a home survey, our surveyors will provide you with a quote based on the volume of goods and the size of the move.

However, if you wish to receive a quick free quote for moving to Australia, visit our cost calculator to receive a free quote.

Simpsons is a reliable & trustworthy removal company that you can be sure will offer a great service for your move to Australia. Contact us today.

Australia International Container Shipping FAQ Guide

How long do container shipping and removals to Australia from the UK take?

Shipping containers to Australia from the UK usually takes 6-8 weeks for full load / sole use container containers.

It will take up to 8-12 weeks for part load (groupage) container shipping service service.

These shipping times are for delivery to port only, you will need to allow additional time for customs clearance on arrival in Australia.

Removal service to Australia

How much does it cost to ship containers to Australia from the UK?

The cost of container shipping and removals to Australia varies depending on the quantity you are taking and where in Australia you are moving to. The good news is that, as so many people shipping their belongings from the UK to Australia, the cost is surprisingly cheap – especially in areas around the big cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.

Sea freight is the most economical way to transport your belongings, and costs per cubic foot decrease significantly as volume increases. You’ll certainly find that it is a lot cheaper to use a removal or shipping company to move your furniture and other items than to replace them all when you arrive in Australia. Many have made the mistake of buying all their goods in Australia and found that it was much more expensive than using a removal company.

We ship to all the major ports in Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Freemantle, Adelaide and Brisbane. In addition, our door-to-door service means that your container shipment will transported from the port to wherever your location is in Australia. No matter whether you’re in Canberra or Alice Springs, Tasmania or Darwin, we will be able to deliver your goods promptly.

Australia is a popular destination for international removals, with many people moving to major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Canberra, as well as regional areas like Newcastle, Darwin, Wollongong, and the Gold Coast. At Simpsons International Removals, we provide a high-quality removal service to any location in Australia from the UK.

Sydney is one of Australia’s most popular destinations for international removals, with its vibrant city culture, stunning beaches, and iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Melbourne is also a popular destination, known for its thriving arts and culture scene, world-class restaurants, and excellent shopping.

At Simpsons International Removals, we understand that everyone’s needs are different when it comes to moving to Australia. Whether you’re moving to a major city or a regional area, we provide a high-quality removal service to any location in Australia from the UK. Our team of experts will work closely with you to create a customized plan that meets all of your requirements and ensures a stress-free and seamless move.

Customs clearance is an essential aspect of shipping your furniture and belongings to Australia. It’s crucial to comply with customs regulations to avoid delays during the customs clearance process. At Simpson’s, we understand the importance of customs clearance and assist our customers throughout the process.

When you use our removal services for shipping to Australia, our team of experts will work with you to ensure that all your items are packed and shipped according to Australian customs regulations. Our move manager will guide you through the customs clearance process, providing you with all the necessary information and documentation needed for customs clearance.

Our team will also assist you with preparing and submitting all the necessary customs forms and paperwork. We understand that the customs process can be complex and confusing, so we take the time to explain everything to you and answer any questions you may have.

Container packing service for removals to Australia

It is essential that your shipping container is packed professionally both to maximise the space and also to ensure your belongings are secure for their journey across the high seas.

Our expert packing teams specialise solely in international removals and are highly experienced in export wrapping and antique packing of delicate items.

We provide a range of packing solutions and services, including furniture, personal effects, pictures, TVs, and any other special items. They will ensure that everything arrives in the same condition it was in the UK.

International Container Shipping Service to Australia from the UK

  • Door to door Service to Australia from the UK
  • Personally assigned International Removals Move Manager
  • International Removals to Australia Adviser
  • Export wrapping and packing services for Australia removals
  • Professionally trained International Removals packers
  • Inventory for Australian customs purposes
  • Assistance with all International Removals documentation
  • Standard removals service customs clearance included
  • Free Home Survey
  • Antique and bespoke packing materials as required
  • Use of accredited international shipping lines
  • Storage facilities in the UK or Australia if needed
  • 20ft or 40ft container shipping service
  • Full Container or Part Load Container / Shared Container
  • Moving furniture to Australia 

At Simpsons International Removals, we understand everyone’s needs differ when moving furniture from the UK to Australia. Our team of experts will work closely with you to create a customized plan that meets all your requirements and ensures a stress-free and seamless move.

International Marine Insurance for shipping to Australia

We would recommend taking out Shipment Protection Cover for peace of mind whilst your belongings are on their journey.

Whilst we have expert packers who specialise in international removals and use accredited shipping lines that take special care of personal shipping containers, we cannot control every eventuality.

Just as you will likely have home contents insurance in the UK and travel insurance for your family, we recommend you discuss with your Move Manager the available options for protecting your belongings whist they are in transit.

Our vehicle container shipping service is ideal if you’re considering bringing your car with you to Australia. As Australians drive on the left side of the road, it could be well worth taking your motor vehicles to Australia – especially if they’re new, luxury or classic models. At Simpsons International Removals, we offer a comprehensive car shipping service to Australia from the UK.

Shipping your car to Australia can be cost-effective, especially if you ship it in the same container as your household items. This ensures that everything arrives simultaneously, making the move more convenient and efficient. Our car shipping service is designed to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, ensuring that your car arrives safely and on time in Australia.

There are various options, including sole use of 20ft or 40ft shipping containers if you are shipping household belongings with your car. Our shared / less-than-container load (LCL) service is very economical if you ship a car or other vehicle.

Before shipping your car to Australia, there are some important import requirements that you need to be aware of. Our team of experts can guide you through the process, providing all the information you need to ensure your car meets all the necessary import requirements. We will work with you to create a customized plan that meets all your requirements and ensures a seamless and stress-free move.

We only use accredited shipping lines to ensure the highest standards of service and reliability.

The actual container shipping line we use will depend on the shipping schedule and shipping rates available at the time of your move.

Typically, we use the best container shipping companies, including Maersk, MSC, ONE, COSCO Hapag Lloyd, OOCL, CAM-CGM and Evergreen, to name some of the most common.

In addition, we partner with FIDI Faim accredited partners in Australia to ensure that customs clearance and delivery are handled to the highest standards that you would expect.

If you’re planning to move to Australia from the UK, choosing the right removal service is crucial to ensure a stress-free and seamless move. At Simpsons International Removals, we provide a comprehensive removal service to Australia from the UK, making your move as smooth as possible.

To get started, you can use our online cost calculator for moving overseas. This will give you an estimated quote for removals to Australia based on the volume of goods you plan to bring with you. However, for a more accurate quotation, we recommend that you book a home survey with our team. During the home survey, our team will assess the volume of goods being sent to Australia, providing you with a more accurate quotation.

Our team of experts will work with you to create a customized plan that suits your needs and budget. We offer a range of services, including packing, customs clearance and more to ensure a seamless and stress-free move to Australia.

At Simpsons International Removals, we pride ourselves on providing a high-quality removal service to Australia from the UK. Our team of experts has years of experience in international removals and will ensure that your belongings are packed and transported safely and securely.


WhatClients Say



Call: 01322 949 557

Simpsons are a long established and quality approved company operating to British Standards across the UK, for all European, International and Commercial removals


WhatClients Say


Please browse our selection of testimonials from recent house moves, relocations and other services used.


  • I thought I’d write to say thank you for the service. Appreciate the dialogue throughout and the flexibility to ensure my delivery arrived on my requested date. The delivery guys were actually early. It really helped to ensure my move went very smoothly. I’d happily recommend using Simpsons to others.

    Nima Noorizadeh
    London to New York USA
  • Overall, Simpsons were very professional and completed the whole move in a timely manner. The removal team were polite and willing to help out with dismantling furniture and providing advice on packing. we didnt feel rushed or pressured at all even though the clock was ticking.

    Alkesh
  • Have lived in my house for 40 years to say I was nervous was an understatement Our crew were fantastic courteous polite nothing was too much trouble and quick even after a long wait for the keys there good humour wasn't dented and not 1 breakage They made the whole process a lot easier than it could have been Top marks

    Sharon May
  • I never had such nice people than the two who came to deliver our household goods, friendly the minute they exited the moving van, we waited at the curb. Nice, nice people I give them an AAAA + they deserve a raise.

    R Jaschke
  • May we say how professional, polite and efficient GRANT and JAMES were is methodically and carefully packing all our shipment items. Could not have expected more. We think it is a great service by all the staff and we always recommend Simpsons to our relocating friends.

    Mr & Mrs Lockwood



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packing a 20ft shipping container

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