moving from UK to Aus next month and shipping costs are insane
Posted by HotfixLover@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 21 comments
so my company is transferring me to Sydney in like 4 weeks and i'm trying to figure out how to get my stuff over there. nothing crazy, maybe 4-5 boxes of clothes, kitchen stuff, some books. got quoted like £600+ by a few couriers. am i missing something obvious? feels like there has to be a cheaper way to send personal boxes without selling a kidney. anyone done this recently and found something that doesn't cost a fortune?
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Independent_Grab_977@reddit
Checkout getmyparcel, cheap
Rare_Sea_1527@reddit
I have heard shipping things in a barrel is cheaper
Pretty_Coast6358@reddit
That sounds pretty cheap to me. Mind sharing the couriers lol?
Mr_Lumbergh@reddit
I was quoted over a thousand for 4 boxes from the US when I moved here back in 2024. Nothing crazy, just a few kitchen things, clothes, and computer components. Shipping to Aus has always been expensive, even more so now with current events.
duiml65@reddit
Why would you spend that much on moving 4 boxes of clothes, etc. to Austalia. 600Gbp is 1200 Aud... buys you a lot of new stuff here.
hdruk@reddit
That is the reasonable cost option.
Generally though, unless you've enough high value stuff to get a shipping container it's not worth shipping much stuff. You can add a bag or two onto the flight, but apart from very high value items and stuff for the first week or two when you find your bearings it's better value to just not take most things and buy replacements once you're at your destination.
Wise_Tale1867@reddit
That’s a fantastic price. I am on PCS orders to the UK from Washington DC and I am getting charged almost 15k up front to be reimbursed but still 600 is cheappp.
percybert@reddit
25 years ago I went over on secondment and if I recall correctly my flight and shipping allowance was nearly EUR 4,000
North_Artichoke_6721@reddit
That seems about right- if your company is sponsoring this move, shouldn’t they be paying for this? Or give you a shipping allowance?
If you have any friends or relatives who might be coming to visit in the next couple months, consider leaving some stuff with them and having them bring it.
ShamsElDinRogers@reddit
What is the charge for postal service?
pencilbride2B@reddit
That actually is a really good price lol
forreddituse2@reddit
The air freight price for retail customers is similar to the price you pay for extra luggage when booking an air ticket. In addition you are on the other side of earth.
vanbul@reddit
Moved by plane. Two times.
Booked flights with additional bags. Had to fly multiple times anyway.
For most of the stuff it's cheaper to by again ins AUS.
EuphoricTeaching9161@reddit
If you think that’s expensive wait till you get here….
Agile-Barracuda9087@reddit
IKR? Think about how far $1,130 AuD goes in Sydney.
mrggy@reddit
That's about what I paid to send a similar amount of stuff from Japan to the US. That's just the going rate for sending stuff by air.
The only cheaper option was to ship boxes by sea. Japan was rolling back that option when I left and not sure who does it in the UK. It's cheaper, but riskier. It wasn't uncommon for people's boxes to get water damage or for boxes to burst open and the contents be lost or even end up in someone else's box. If you do it, the recommendation is generally to reinforce the box with duct tape, put all your belongings in a plastic bag, and put a card with your contact info in it. Shipping by sea generally takes around 4 months
dugulen@reddit
If your company is transferring you, relocation expenses should be on them — fully or at least substantially.
Get accurate quotes before any conversation with HR, and negotiate from a position of confidence rather than gratitude.
naturalconfectionary@reddit
Bin it and just take your case on the plane. Buy everything when you are here
Winter_Whole2080@reddit
That isn’t expensive. It’s going air freight via DHL etc.
If you want a lower cost/kg, buy an entire 20 foot shipping container and load it up but that’ll take weeks and will be £thousands.
Africano_90@reddit
Aus is pretty far away from everything, £600.00 doesn’t seem too unreasonable to me. Also, everything is expensive in Australia.
I wish you the best with your move. Australia is an awesome place to be! Congratulations 🥳