Quanti container ci stanno su una nave? Dalle navi feeder alle mega-navi
By Steve Joury / 23 ottobre 2026
Quanti container ci stanno su una nave? Dalle navi feeder da 1.000 TEU alle mega-navi da oltre 24.000 TEU, cos’è un TEU, come...
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Ultimo aggiornamento: 23 ottobre 2026
Not moving a whole house? Shipping a few boxes to Australia is far cheaper than a full removal. Whether you’re a student, a working holidaymaker, or sending belongings ahead, there are three main options: sea freight, air freight and courier. Here’s how they compare in 2026, and how to keep costs down.
Your options compared| Metodo | Typical cost per box (about 25 kg) | Tempo di transito | Ideale per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea freight (shared container) | £60–£120 | 8–12 weeks | Several heavy boxes, not urgent |
| Air freight (baggage service) | £150–£300 | 1–2 weeks | Essentials you need sooner |
| Express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) | £200–£450 | 3–7 days | One or two urgent boxes |
| Excess airline baggage | £100–£300 | Same day | One extra case on your flight |
Indicative 2026 prices for door-to-door services from the UK mainland. Most sea freight services have a minimum charge, often 3–5 boxes or 0.5–1 cubic metre.
Sea freight: cheapest for 5+ boxes
Baggage shipping companies combine customers’ boxes in a shared container (groupage), then deliver to your door or a depot in Australia.
- Price usually falls per box the more you send.
- Allow 8–12 weeks door to door, sometimes more at busy times.
- Pallets or crates can be cheaper than individual boxes for 10+ boxes. See pallet shipping from the UK.
Air freight and couriers: faster but pricier
Air freight is charged by weight or volume, whichever is greater. Light, bulky boxes cost more than you might expect. Couriers are simplest for one or two boxes, but get expensive quickly.
Biosecurity and customs rules
Australia inspects all incoming goods, including personal boxes.
- Fill in an Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement (B534) if you’re moving there, so used goods can enter duty-free.
- Don’t pack: food, plants, seeds, soil, wooden items with bark, or animal products.
- Clean shoes and sports gear before packing.
- List contents accurately on the packing list.
- New goods may attract GST if their value is over the threshold.
How to save money
- Use strong double-walled boxes and pack them full to prevent crushing.
- Weigh and measure each box before booking.
- Compare several baggage shipping companies.
- Drop off at a depot instead of a home collection if it’s cheaper.
- Ship by sea early so your boxes arrive soon after you.
- Sell heavy items such as books and kitchenware; they’re often cheaper to replace.
Moving more than a few boxes?
If you have more than about 20 boxes or any furniture, a shared container removal may be better value. See removals to Australia, trasferirsi in Australia dal Regno Unito e how to ship luggage internationally.
Travel with your belongings
Some cargo ships take passengers from Europe to Australia. Read ship from England to Australia.
Domande frequenti
What is the cheapest way to ship boxes to Australia?
Sea freight in a shared container is usually the cheapest for five or more boxes.
How much does it cost to send a box to Australia?
Roughly £60–£120 per 25 kg box by sea, or £150–£450 by air freight or courier.
How long does it take to ship boxes to Australia by sea?
Usually 8–12 weeks door to door.
What can’t I send to Australia?
Food, plants, seeds, soil, animal products and unclean outdoor items.
Do I pay duty on personal boxes sent to Australia?
Used personal effects are usually duty-free if you’re moving there. New goods may attract GST.
Sail with your boxes
Ask us about passenger voyages on container ships to Australia.
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Steve Joury
Consulente di viaggio Cargo at Cargoholidays
Appassionato di viaggi lenti e di mare. Steve conosce la maggior parte delle rotte di navigazione e le procedure per scoprire il nostro bellissimo mondo dal mare su una nave container. Ha partecipato a molti viaggi, da 7 giorni di viaggio in cargo a 140 giorni a bordo.
