Moving to Australia
Australia protects its natural environment more than any other country we ship to. A clump of soil on the sole of a hiking boot or bark on a wicker basket can end in a costly inspection, cleaning or destruction of the item. So we start moves to Australia with a list of what to clean, what to leave behind and what to describe. We pack and load the container in Wrocław, and organise the voyage, clearance and local delivery with a partner from the FEDEMAC network.
Biosecurity inspection – what the inspectors look for
| Item | Risk | What to do before packing |
|---|---|---|
| garden furniture, barbecue, lawnmower | soil, seeds, insects | clean, dry, drain fuel and oil |
| bikes, sports shoes, tents | mud, plant debris | clean treads, tent pegs and undersides |
| wooden furniture, carvings, wicker, bamboo | timber pests, bark | check for insect holes, describe the material |
| vacuum cleaner | dust and seeds in the bag | replace the bag and clean the filter |
| food, herbs, dried flowers | plant and animal diseases | do not pack |
| items made of feathers, skins, shells | animal material | list them and expect an inspection |
On the inventory, every item made of wood, wicker or animal material must be described explicitly. General descriptions such as “miscellaneous items” increase the likelihood of the container being opened. The recipient pays for inspection, cleaning or fumigation. Also remember that from September to April Australia applies additional measures to some cargo from Europe because of the brown marmorated stink bug – mainly affecting vehicles and machinery.
Documents and visa status
- form B534 – the declaration for unaccompanied personal effects,
- a copy of your passport with visa; exemption from charges depends on the visa type and how long you have used your belongings,
- a detailed inventory in English,
- your address in Australia and contact details.
Ports and delivery times
Sydney
Port Botany, New South Wales.
Melbourne
The country's largest container port, Victoria.
Brisbane
Queensland, including the Gold Coast.
Fremantle
The port for Perth and Western Australia.
The container sails from Hamburg, Bremerhaven or Gdańsk, usually with transshipment in Asia. The voyage takes six to eight weeks. Including clearance and biosecurity inspection, it is most often eight to twelve weeks from packing to delivery. This is one of the longest routes, so we set aside for your air luggage everything you will need in the first few months.
Should you ship everything?
With such a long and costly journey it is worth weeding out furniture that is cheap to buy and electrical equipment with different plugs – the voltage in Australia is the same as in Poland, but the sockets differ. What stays are valuables, keepsakes and furniture that cannot easily be replaced. The rest you can sell or leave in our storage. We describe how we pack furniture for a long voyage on our sea freight for furniture page.
Australia – questions before shipping
Can I ship solid wood furniture?
Yes, if it is clean, free of bark and shows no signs of pests. An inspector may examine it and, if in doubt, order fumigation at the recipient's expense.
Who pays for the inspection at the port?
The recipient. Inspection and any cleaning costs are added at clearance, which is why we include them in the quote as a possible rather than a certain item.
Does shipping to Perth take just as long?
The journey to Fremantle can be slightly shorter than to the east coast, but it depends on the shipping line's route and the transshipment port.
Can I pack fishing and golf equipment?
Yes, after thorough cleaning. Equipment that has been in contact with water, soil or grass is checked particularly carefully.
Can medicines go in the container?
We do not recommend it. Take medicines in your hand luggage with a doctor's letter, as some substances require a permit in Australia.
We will prepare your belongings for inspection in Australia
A free quote with a list of what to clean, what to describe and what to leave in Poland.
Free quote