Advice on shipping to Australia

Darnknit

Hi Everyone, i am moving to Hobart, Australia in the new year and am finding shipping options expensive and confusing. Any advice on where to start and how to get the cheaper options would be appreciated. I believe by sea is the best option as not bothered by how long it takes, just trying to keep costs down. i have a lot of non furniture items - at least 10 cubic metres which i am trying to cut down as much as possible. Thanks in advance for any wisdom shared

anotheruser

What sort of prices have you had so far?

Mr_Shankly_2

Im from Hobart!! I moved here in 1996 then moved back in 2002. We went with Tnt global removals. Best thing to do is get the TNT magazine or look it up online. Its for Aussies and NewZealanders moving here or going back (you dont have to be an Aussie mind you) and it has lots of info in it. Good luck

AdrianC

"I'm wanting to take a lot of stuff to the far side of the world, and it's expensive!"
No, really...? Who'd've guessed...?

Cheapest way - by far - is going to be to containerise the lot yourself, and just pay for the container to be transported.

egoode

As Mr Shankly says check out TNT magazine, however if you can't get the magazine here's a link to some info they have on shipping: http://www.tntmagazine.com/expat-life/shipping

It has a list of questions to ask and some companies to contact for quotes. I've had friends send things to Australia with PSS International and Anglo Pacific and had no issues with them and everything arrived in one piece.

Just be really tough on what you are going to send over as you don't want to transport something all that way and at such a cost and realise you didn't really need it.

BritAbroad

When I moved to the US I had an entire house full of stuff shipped by Sterling International, who did a fab job. Everything was very well wrapped and packaged, which does mean that that your stuff becomes more bulky. No idea how much it cost as it was a corporate move. We had a full container, but if you don't have enough to fill it, consider doing a shared container. Your stuff will take longer to arrive and the container is probably more likely to be opened by customs, but it will be cheaper.

You may be able to containerise it yourself, but will likely not be covered insurance-wise if so. Plus from a customs perspective it may not be possible. A shipping company may be unwilling to act for you if they don't pack the stuff.

nzseries1

I used Anglo Pacific to move things from London to Wellington in New Zealand. Really friendly and no problems at all. Ten boxes, each approximately 45x30x30cm cost about 500 quid.

msgnomey

here's a radical thought....give most of you 'stuff' away to family, friends and charity then you'll save loads of money and you can buy new 'stuff' when you get there!!

spottydog

I've used Crown twice to Sydney with no problems. Bear in mind if you want damage insurance it has to be professionally packed. Letton Percival insurance is significantly cheaper than any the shippers will offer and they seem to have a good reputation (I've not had to claim).

I would definitely ship rather than buying new for most bits as prices down under are expensive but bear in mind that rentals are generally unfurnished so you'll need to buy some bits before your container arrives.

Darnknit

Thanks all, I am from Tas and am now going home after 13 years. I realise its not cheap but I am rather sentimental about items acquired here. am not taking furniture and will get rid of as much as poss but not sure ill have change from 2k. Still I have 6 months to sell off as much as I can. Cheers for the suggestions

pinkpiglit

I've shipped stuff "downunder" a few times as well as back up to the UK again. I'd used Anglo Pacific as someone said above, however more recently I've used Seven Seas and found them to be cheaper: http://www.sevenseasworldwide.com