Packing tips for relocating to Australia

What to pack and what to leave behind… that is the question when relocating abroad. On the whole, there are no-go items for most countries. If you’re moving to Australia, there are a few things you’d want to know about to stay in custom’s good books – and prevent items being confiscated. Allison Taylor at specialist international relocation agency Elite Woodham Relocation offers this list of items to leave behind!

Items that are restricted and prohibited to ship to Australia.

1. Food and beverages: Many types of food and beverages are restricted to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. This includes fresh, dried, and processed foods, as well as certain types of alcohol.
2. Plants and plant products: Plants, seeds, soil, and plant-based products can carry pests and diseases. They often require special permits and treatments.
3. Animal products: Items made from animal materials, such as feathers, horns, and bones, may be restricted. Some products require a CITES permit or specific treatments.
4. Medications and pharmaceuticals: Certain medications and pharmaceuticals may require a permit or need to be declared. Prescription drugs must often be accompanied by a copy of the prescription, however it’s recommended that prescriptions travel with you on the plane with a letter from a doctor.
5. Firearms and weapons: Any type of firearm, weapon, or item that could be used as a weapon is heavily restricted and usually requires special permits (this includes air rifles and slingshots).
6. Cultural artifacts: Items of significant cultural or historical value may need to be declared and could be subject to export or import controls. So, best to sell your Ancient Roman bust on eBay first.
7. Alcohol: Fortunately Australia has ample supply of Pinot Grigio, but if you’ve limited edition or rare bottles of the really good stuff, read on… There is no duty-free allowance when shipping alcohol to Australia. If you are including alcohol in your shipment, you will need to complete an alcohol listing before the packing date and this list will be shared with customs for assessment. Typically 20 to 40 percent of the value will be applied to each bottle that is imported.
8. Explosives and flammable materials: Thinking of shipping your ebike? You’ll need an import permit. Items that are explosive, flammable, or otherwise hazardous are banned. This includes certain types of batteries and chemicals. Gas bottles and soda stream cylinders also cannot be included. In the past 12 months we have experienced many shipping lines no longer accepting e-scooters and e-bikes within the shipment due to the lithium battery. If including either an e-bike or e-scooter in the shipment you will also need to obtain an import permit from Australian Border Force.
9. Endangered species: Products made from endangered species, such as ivory or certain types of wood, are prohibited. This may apply to those who are looking to ship old pianos as the keys may be ivory.
10. Fishing, camping, sports equipment (including bicycles): Recreational and sporting equipment tends to be used outside and therefore importing these items into Australia could be harmful to the ecosystem. Before travelling to Australia, these items will need to be cleaned thoroughly to limit the transmission of harmful diseases. During customs clearance these items will be inspected to verify that they are clean and bone dry.
11. Brooms, dustpan, vacuum cleaners, waste bins: Before throwing the beloved Hoover into your container, note that these items are not recommended to include in your shipment as there will be a large amount of dirt and waste matter present. These items are highly likely to be held by quarantine for treatment (at your expense) or destruction.
12. Shoes: Did you know that shoes are one of the most commonly held/seized items due to the dirt and mud on the soles of the shoes. Many people will not think twice about packing their shoes without cleaning them beforehand.
13. Garage and garden Items: Items such mowers, strimmers (called whipper snippers in Australia), garden tools, garden furniture, pots, statues etc will all need extensive cleaning before packing. Any traces of earth matter, grass clippings, bugs and insects, cobwebs will see these items sent for cleaning on arrival or sent for destruction.

The best route is to check with your relocation company when doing your pre-move survey, They’ll also know the red flags, so will be asking questions. More information can be found on the Australian government website https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/travelling/moving-immigrating/personal_effects

Don’t forget about insurance when shipping goods to Australia

Insurance is optional however considering you’ll have all (or most of) your worldly possessions in once place, it is a good idea to have some level of cover. Even with careful handling, accidents can happen in transit. Insurance provides financial protection if items are lost, damaged, or stolen. The household goods provider should be able to offer a number of insurance options with varying levels of cover. Approximate charges for an international shipment will be between 3.5% and 4.5% of the total declared value of the goods.

Customs Regulations for Australia

1. Customs declaration: You must declare all goods you are bringing into Australia on your Incoming Passenger Card or in advance if using a freight service. This includes household items, personal effects, and any items you intend to bring into the country.
2. Duty-free allowance: Personal effects and household goods are usually exempt from duty if they have been owned and used for at least 12 months and are imported within 12 months of your arrival and assuming your visa has been approved. We do not recommend shipping the household goods until the visa is approved.
3. Inspection and treatment: Your belongings will be inspected by Australian Customs and Border Protection or the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment. Items that do not meet biosecurity standards may be treated or destroyed.
4. Duties and taxes: While most personal items may be duty-free, if you import items that do not meet the exemption criteria, you may be required to pay customs duties and GST (Goods and Services Tax).

Calculating how much container space you need

This can be a tricky one to navigate as people often believe they have a lot less volume than they actually have. For a ballpark figure, a two-bedroom home (or small three-bedroom home) would fill a 20ft container. For a large three-bedroom (or more) home it is likely that a 40ft container would be required.

How to move your things

• NexVentur partners with Palmers Relocations for household shipping, vehicle imports and pet relocations. Talk to our team for preferential rates.
• For smaller items choose Send My Bag. Get 5% discount when you book through NexVentur.

Get started with a relocation consultation:

As recruitment and relocation specialists, NexVentur can assist you in finding the right job plus we’ll help get you there. Our services include:

• Recruitment in Ireland and Australia
• Arranging your visas
• Assisting with professional registrations
• Flights with extra baggage, priority boarding and lounge access
• Setting up your overseas bank account
• Setting up your Australian Tax File Number (TFN) or PPS number
• Money transfer
• Irish mortgages
• Assisting with move logistics
• Relocation advice – all members of our team have relocated at least once in our lives, so we know how it feels and the challenges you face.
• Book a consultation with our team and let’s help you get started on your next adventure.