Container shipping to Australia

A 20-ft container typically costs between $2,600 and $8,000 and a 40-ft between $3,800 and $10,000. The final price depends on the origin port, the type of cargo and whether you ship a full or a shared container; when you request a quote we confirm it within one business day with the full breakdown. Australian imports also pay 10% GST and a general 5% customs duty on most goods, charged on top of the ocean freight.

From the U.S. West Coast: 24-32 days. From Miami and the U.S. East Coast: 35-50 days. From Europe: 30-45 days. From Asia: 10-18 days. These are estimated ocean transit times; when you request a quote we confirm the next weekly sailing and the estimated arrival date. Biosecurity inspection by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry can add days on arrival, and wooden packaging must comply with ISPM 15.

You need a bill of lading, commercial invoice and packing list, plus a full import declaration in the Australian Border Force's Integrated Cargo System (ICS) when goods are valued over AUD 1,000. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry applies biosecurity controls, and GST of 10% is charged on import. Interworld Freight prepares the shipping documents and coordinates clearance at destination. We prepare them for you and handle customs clearance at destination, so no missing paper holds your cargo.

Choose FCL when your cargo fills a container and LCL when it does not; Australian rules apply to both. Goods from brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) target risk countries face seasonal measures from 1 September to 30 April, so check your origin before booking either format. Any consignment valued over AUD 1,000 needs a full ICS import declaration. Not sure? Tell us what you are shipping and we recommend the format with the best total cost.

Yes. Migrants and returning residents can claim duty and GST concessions on personal effects they have owned and used, by lodging an Unaccompanied Personal Effects statement (form B534) with the Australian Border Force. Used furniture, outdoor gear and anything with soil faces biosecurity inspection by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, so clean items before packing. Goods outside the concession need a full ICS declaration above AUD 1,000. We move personal items, household goods and full relocations, with customs and documentation handled door to door.

We serve Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle, with customs clearance handled at each one and inland delivery coordinated to the final destination if you need it. Sydney (AUSYD) and Melbourne (AUMEL) are the largest container ports on the east coast, Brisbane is AUBNE, and Fremantle (AUFRE) serves Perth on the west coast.