Moving Services
Moving from the United States to Australia is one of the most significant relocations you can make. The distance is real, the logistics are complex, and the rules around what you can bring are stricter than almost any other destination in the world. Getting it right requires a team that knows the process from both ends, not just the shipping side, but the Australian customs requirements, the biosecurity preparation, and the final delivery to your new home.
SDC International Shipping coordinates full-service household goods moves from the USA to Australia, managing every stage from initial consultation through to delivery at your door. This page covers how the process works, what services are included, and what to expect at each stage of your move.
How International Moving to Australia Works
A move from the USA to Australia involves more coordination than a domestic relocation. Your household goods travel by sea freight in a shipping container, crossing the Pacific Ocean over a period of weeks before arriving at an Australian port for customs clearance and final delivery. The process is well-established and manageable with the right support, but it requires planning across several timelines at once.
The first step is a consultation with an SDC relocation specialist. We review what you’re moving, confirm the right container size for your volume, walk through your packing options, and build a quote that accounts for your specific origin, destination, and timeline. From there, we coordinate every stage so you’re not managing multiple contractors or chasing updates from different parties.
Sea freight from the U.S. West Coast to Australia takes 7 to 13 weeks. From East Coast ports, the transit runs 6 to 12 weeks. Air freight is available for smaller, time-sensitive shipments and moves significantly faster. Your SDC coordinator will explain which option fits your timeline and budget during your initial consultation.
Household Goods Shipping to Australia
Most USA to Australia moves travel by sea freight in either a full container or a shared container, depending on volume. A full 20-foot container suits a one-to-two bedroom home. A 40-foot container handles a larger family household. If you’re moving a smaller volume, a shared container, also called LCL or less than container load, lets you pay only for the space your belongings actually occupy.
SDC handles packing, container loading, international freight, customs clearance, and delivery to your new Australian address. If you prefer to pack your own non-fragile items, we can work with that too, though professionally packed shipments attract less customs scrutiny and are covered more comprehensively by moving insurance. Our household goods shipping to Australia page covers container options, what to bring, and how to prepare your shipment for the Australian border.
Australian Biosecurity and Customs Clearance
Australia has some of the strictest biosecurity regulations in the world, enforced by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) at every port of entry. All household goods arriving from the USA are subject to biosecurity inspection. Items with traces of soil, plant material, untreated timber, or organic residue can be held, treated at your cost, or refused entry entirely.
Preparation starts before you pack. SDC relocation specialists review your inventory before your move and flag anything that could cause a problem at the Australian border. Our packing teams use ISPM 15-compliant materials throughout, and we produce a detailed, itemised inventory that meets Australian customs documentation requirements. Getting this right before your shipment leaves the USA is what separates a smooth arrival from an expensive delay.
Used household goods owned for 12 months or more generally qualify for duty-free import under Australia’s Transfer of Residence concession. SDC guides you through the B534 Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement and all supporting documentation required to unlock that concession. For a full breakdown of what you can and cannot bring, our Australian customs regulations guide covers the rules in detail.
Vehicle Shipping from the USA to Australia
SDC ships vehicles from the USA to Australia inside containers alongside household goods, not as standalone cargo. Containerized shipping is significantly safer than open-deck alternatives and keeps your vehicle protected for the full ocean crossing. If you’re moving a full household and want to bring your car, combining both shipments in one container is usually the most cost-effective approach.
Vehicle importation to Australia involves its own compliance requirements, including meeting Australian Design Rules and passing biosecurity inspection. Right-hand-drive modifications are required for most American vehicles, as Australia drives on the left. The compliance process varies by vehicle type, age, and your visa status. SDC assists with documentation and import approval as part of the vehicle shipping process. Call us at (877) 856-7050 to discuss whether shipping your vehicle makes financial sense for your specific situation.
Corporate Relocation to Australia
SDC works with businesses relocating employees from the USA to Australia, coordinating household moves, customs compliance, and delivery logistics on behalf of HR and global mobility teams. We handle the logistics so your relocating employees can focus on their new role rather than their shipping container.
Corporate moves often involve tighter timelines, multiple simultaneous relocations, or employees moving to different Australian cities. SDC’s coordination infrastructure handles all of this, with a single point of contact for the company and dedicated support for each relocating employee. Our corporate relocation to Australia page covers how the program works and what to expect at each stage.
Packing, Storage, and Specialty Shipping Services
Professional packing is one of the most important decisions in an international move. Beyond protecting your belongings during a long ocean crossing, professionally packed shipments are required for most moving insurance policies to cover breakage claims. SDC packing teams use export-grade materials, custom crating for fragile or high-value items, and documentation that satisfies Australian customs requirements from the start.
If your Australian home isn’t ready when your shipment arrives, secure storage in Australia holds your belongings safely until delivery works for you. Storage in the USA before your move is also available if your timeline involves a gap between leaving your current home and your container loading date. SDC also coordinates specialty moves including piano shipping to Australia and fine art and high-value item shipping for clients with specific requirements.
What Your Move Costs and How to Get a Quote
The cost of moving from the USA to Australia depends on the volume of your shipment, your departure city, your destination in Australia, and the services you include. A shared container shipment for a smaller household typically runs $2,500 to $5,000. A full 20-foot container for a one-to-two bedroom home generally costs $5,000 to $9,000 for freight, with packing, insurance, and customs clearance adding to that. Larger households in 40-foot containers typically run $8,000 to $15,000 or more.
The most reliable way to understand your actual cost is a video survey or in-home assessment with an SDC relocation specialist. We review exactly what you’re moving, confirm the right container size, and build a quote that accounts for all fees rather than hiding them in fine print. Call SDC International Shipping at (877) 856-7050 or complete the quote form to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Australia from the USA
How long does it take to move household goods from the USA to Australia?
Sea freight from the U.S. West Coast to Australia takes 7 to 13 weeks. From East Coast ports the transit runs 6 to 12 weeks. These figures cover the ocean crossing only. Add time for packing, port processing at both ends, and Australian customs clearance before final delivery to your door.
What does SDC International Shipping include in a full-service move to Australia?
A full-service move with SDC includes consultation, professional packing, container loading, international ocean freight, Australian customs documentation and clearance, biosecurity preparation, and final delivery to your new address. Vehicle shipping and secure storage in Australia are available as additions. Your coordinator manages every stage so you have a single point of contact throughout.
Do I have to pay customs duty on my household goods when moving to Australia?
Used household goods owned and used for at least 12 months generally qualify for duty-free import under Australia’s Transfer of Residence concession. New items or goods that don’t meet the criteria may attract import duties or GST. The right documentation is what unlocks the concession. SDC guides you through the B534 form and all supporting paperwork as part of the move coordination process.
How strict are Australia’s biosecurity rules for household goods?
Australia’s biosecurity rules are among the strictest in the world. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) inspects arriving shipments for soil, plant material, timber, and organic residue. Items that fail inspection can be treated at your cost or refused entry. SDC prepares clients and shipments for biosecurity compliance before the container leaves the USA, which is the most effective way to avoid delays and additional costs at the Australian border.
Can I ship my car from the USA to Australia with my household goods?
Yes. SDC ships vehicles inside containers alongside household goods. Combining your car and household shipment in one container is often the most cost-effective approach. Vehicle importation requires compliance with Australian Design Rules and right-hand-drive modifications for most American vehicles. SDC assists with documentation and import approval as part of the process.
How do I get a quote for moving from the USA to Australia?
Complete the quote form on this page or call SDC International Shipping at (877) 856-7050 to speak with a relocation specialist. We’ll schedule a video survey or in-home assessment to review what you’re moving, confirm the right container size, and provide a detailed quote that covers all costs rather than just the base freight rate.
