Shipping times and costs from Washington, D.C., United States of America to Brisbane, Australia

Shipping times
1 - 3 Days by air
27 - 32 Days by sea

1 Bedroom flat

Shipping costs by air £10,626 - £11,744
Shipping costs by sea £5,579 - £6,166

3 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £8,583 - £9,486

5 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £12,874 - £14,229

Please note: the prices listed here are meant as an estimate only. The best way to get a comprehensive, tailored quote is to fill out our form and be matched with a supplier.

Shipping Container Costs to Australia

Once a ‘big country town’, Brisbane has since become one of Australia’s most charming cities. It’s where people go if they want an urban life in Oz that’s a little less hectic than Melbourne or Sydney. Plus, “Brissie” is also a lot less expensive than its big brothers. Situated in Queensland halfway down the east coast, the city enjoys a subtropical climate and more sunny days than any other state capital. This means the 2.27 million Brisbanites really love their outdoor time, surfing on the coral sea, sunbathing on Streets Beach and taking the free CityHopper ferry along the Brisbane River. For proper shopping there’s the eclectic West End Markets, for panoramic views of the city there’s Mount Coot-Tha, and for beautiful landscape there’s the nearby Scenic Rim. Brisbane is an enchanting, up-and-coming city with a lot to offer.

Different shipping options

Shipping your belongings to Brisbane is easy; you just need to decide how you are going to do it. The two main options are air freight and sea freight.

Air freight is the choice for people who are moving in a rush. A cargo plane will get your things to Brisbane from anywhere in the world in just two to three days. However, it’s also very expensive, so you’re paying a proper premium for the speedy service. Unless you’re having to move abroad last minute, air freight is best avoided.

On the other hand, sea freight is significantly less expensive, typically costing around five times less than air freight. This makes it very handy for people who are relocating on a budget. A container ship travels much slower than a cargo plane and will usually take several weeks, so be sure to plan your move well in advance. In terms of value for money, sea freight is a much better option.

If you do choose sea freight, your items will be shipped in either a 20ft container or a 40ft container. You don’t have to fill the whole container with stuff; if you’re bringing no more than about 15 cubic metres of cargo, you will share the use of a container with other people. This is a process called Less Than Container Load, or LCL. The majority of our shipping suppliers will ship your things door-to-door, which means they’ll take care of the whole process from your old front door to your new one.

Major shipping routes

Luckily Brisbane has its own port (called the Port of Brisbane), so that’s where your belongings will be shipped to. The port is located only 25 km away from the Brisbane city centre, which is really handy. Once your container has reached Australian soil and passed through customs, it will be taken either by train and/or truck to your new Brisbane home.

Australia customs

There’s a fair amount of red tape when it comes to getting through Australian customs. The Aussies really care about their fragile ecosystem, which means they operate a pretty strict quarantine process. This obviously applies to pets and plants, but also to garden equipment and outdoor furniture, so make sure you give everything a proper clean. You are required to create an inventory that lists every item you’re bringing into Australia, so it’s important to be clear and specific. Don’t worry: our suppliers can help you through this part. See below for an indication of the items that are prohibited or restricted by Australian customs.

You are allowed to import your household goods into Australia duty-free, but the goods must be used, at least 12 months old and intended for use in your new residence. All applications for a duty-free shipment must be submitted via the Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement (B534 Form). Check out the Australian Customs official website for more information.

Shipping Container Options

20Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
33 Cubic Meters
5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £8,583 - £9,486

Get a quote for a 20ft container
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  • Boxes
    16 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedrooms
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

40Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
67 Cubic Meters
12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £16,307 - £18,023

Get a quote for a 40ft container
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  • Boxes
    28 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedroom
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x car, 1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

Car shipped by sea freight

Max Dimensions: 5.75m x 2.2m x 2.2m (l x w x h)

Base Price: £2,657 - £2,936

Quarantine & Taxes: £1,000 - £2,500

Price: £10,683 - £14,736

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Unusual Restricted Items

Tea & Coffee
Tea, coffee and milk based drinks.
Pet Food
Pet foods.
Wicker
Wicker and cane such as chairs and wicker baskets.
Dried Flowers
Dried flower arrangements & Pot Pourri.
Skins & Furs
Wool and animal hair. Skins on drums.
Pornographic Materials
Illegal Pornography.
Drugs and Narcotics
Psychotropic drugs and narcotics are prohibited.
Tobacco
Any tobacco products.