Moving internationally can present many challenges, but also great opportunities. For example, when moving from the UK to Australia, shipping items across thousands of miles is one of the best ways to get your possessions to you as quickly as possible.
In this post, we will go through the different types of freight options available for international shipping and how to help you select the option that will work best for you and your budget.
When relocating internationally, the two main shipping methods that most households will consider when moving thousands of miles are sea freight and air freight.
When moving internationally — especially for a long-distance move like the UK ? Australia — most households choose between two core freight methods: sea freight and air freight. Each has its pros and cons.
Sea Freight (Container Shipping) — The Workhorse for Full Moves
The primary way to move items internationally to Australia is by sea freight. This option is best for individuals or families with many personal belongings, including furniture and other common goods, boxes, and large items like appliances etc.
The two primary ways to ship goods using sea freight are as follows:
- Full Container Load (FCL): You rent a full shipping container (usually 20 ft. or 40 ft.) only for yourself. You would typically use FCL if you’re relocating from a larger style home (3 or more bedrooms), have lots of big furniture, and/or a lot of other personal items.
- Shared Container (or Groupage): If you have less than a full container (like moving from a 1-bed apartment or a small house with limited furniture), you would share space in a single container with other people, so that you are only paying for the volume/space that your items take up, thereby lowering your shipping costs.
Air Freight — Fast, for Essentials or Small Loads
Air Freight is a different type of speed versus volume trade-off. Generally, this shipping option will be used when sending small shipments such as boxes, essential documents and items, or delicate/fragile items when you need them quickly.
Air freight from the UK to Australia has a flight time between 1 and 3 days, but when you add in the handling, customs and delivery times, you should expect the total transit time to take approximately 5-10 days from door to door.
This also means that because of the speed of travel and fewer transfer points, the chance of damaging products during shipment is less, so items can be shipped with a much lower chance of damage arriving at their destination compared to traditional freight.
What You Can Expect: Typical Cost & Transit Estimates from the UK to Australia
Here’s a rough guideline based on recent data for moves from the UK to Australia:
| Shipment Type/Size | Freight Method | Approx. Cost (GBP) | Approx. Transit Time |
| Small move/a few boxes/personal effects | Sea freight (shared/groupage) | From ~ £840 to ~ £1,800 for small moves/1-bed flats. | ~ 8-12 weeks (shared container) |
| Medium move/1-2 bed flat | Sea freight (shared or small container allocation) | From ~ £1,750 – £2,500 (depending on volume) | ~ 8–12 weeks (shared) or ~6–9 weeks if container dedicated. |
| Full household (3-bed house or more) | Sea freight (FCL – 20 ft or 40 ft container) | For 3-bed home: from ~ £4,500–£5,500; for larger homes ~ £5,800–£7,500+, depending on volume & services | ~ 6–9 weeks (plus packing, customs, delivery) |
| Small/urgent shipment (essentials, documents, valuables) | Air freight | Cost varies widely (charged by weight/volume) — typically significantly higher per kg or per volume | ~ 5–10 days door-to-door (flight + handling + customs) |
(Note: Actual cost depends on exact volume, destination in Australia, packing and handling needs, time of year, and other factors.)
How Removals Can Help with an International Move to Australia?
Hiring a professional removal and shipping establishment, such as Removals.co.uk, has many advantages. Good removal and shipping services offer the following:
- Personalised freight assistance: The company will provide specific freight advice depending on how much you’re sending, when it’s due, and the amount you’re willing to pay.
- Comprehensive shipping alternatives: Including sea freight (use of full or shared containers), air freight for urgent items, or any combination thereof.
- Packing and assistance with export/imports: Providing all the required packaging, loading of freight into containers, following customs and quarantine laws, documents, and anything else required to ship internationally.
- Insurance and protection for goods throughout shipping: Goods are covered throughout shipping, the many processes associated with taking and receiving your goods, and the customs process.
- Door-to-door service: If desired, pick up in the UK and deliver to the customer’s Australian residence (depending on the level of service chosen).
- Open communication with an unwavering transparency: You will know what your costs cover, what additional charges you may incur, and when you will be able to expect your items to arrive.
Working with a professional removalist company allows you to be aware of how to choose the best method for transporting your belongings safely, securely, and on time. And, as experienced professionals, removalists will provide you with a reliable service that is within your budget.