Shipping

Importing and shipping household items from South Africa to Australia involves several steps:

Consider what to take

People have various opinions on this and they’re all valid. We chose to bring important items (memories, paintings, some tools) and mostly leave furniture. New country, fresh start!

Bed sizes are a bit different, and the last thing you want to go is continuously be buying sheets that fit from SA. Just get a new bed. Besides, you’ll need a bed within a week of arriving.

In hindsight I would have liked our couches because the inexpensive ones in Australia aren’t great, and you’ll spend a lot to get good couches.

People say “just get from Facebook Marketplace” and while it’s valid, it very much depends on 1) how much you’ll value your time and 2) your acceptance of “good enough”. I spent FAR too much time searching for items on Facebook and while I got a few good items, I would have been better off if we just got everything delivered. In Australia, people value time more than money so they often give away items rather than move them to a new house. Sometimes that gets you a bargain, sometimes it’s just a waste of your time.

Inventory List

Prepare a detailed inventory list of all items being shipped. This list is essential for customs clearance and insurance purposes.

Choose a Shipping Company

Select a reputable international shipping company experienced in moving household goods from South Africa to Australia. Get quotes and compare services, including packing, loading, shipping, unloading, and unpacking.

We used Execu-move. They were pretty turnkey, came out, gave a quote, lots of advice. I found them a touch more conservative than I’d like on things like wood but it worked out okay. They preferred we didn’t ship any wood items, but see below under Quarantine Inspection. Our goods arrived a few months after we did, which meant that we needed to buy new items.

If you need items shipped fairly quickly in time to arrive when you do, consider u-bag. Others have recommended them as well priced.

Packing and Loading

Decide whether you will pack your items yourself or have the shipping company do it. Professional packing can help protect your items during transit and may be required for insurance purposes.

Shipping Options

Choose between air freight and sea freight. Air freight is faster but more expensive, while sea freight is more economical for large volumes but takes longer.

Customs Regulations and Duties

Understand Australian customs regulations. Some items may be prohibited or require special permits. Duties and taxes may apply to certain items.

Insurance

Consider purchasing insurance for your shipment. This will cover your goods against loss or damage during transit.

Quarantine Inspection

Australia has strict quarantine laws. Your shipment may be inspected for cleanliness to prevent the introduction of foreign pests and diseases. Ensure items like outdoor equipment and furniture are clean and free of soil and organic material.

Wood items in particular can attract attention, especially if they have any sign of wood boring infestation. Bad outcomes include having them treated in Australia, or destroyed. Both will cost you money, so we chose to get them treated in South Africa. The company we used was https://www.propest.co.za - they picked up, treated with Methyl Bromide and brought the items back and it really didn’t cost us much. They weren’t large items, so your mileage may vary. Give them a call if you’re in Gauteng. Note this won’t guarantee that you don’t have issues, e.g. if there’s a delay in shipping it’s possible bugs can get in. But it’s riskier not to do it, so we did.

Arrival and Delivery

Once your shipment arrives in Australia, it will go through customs and quarantine inspection. After clearance, arrange for delivery to your new residence.

Costs

Be prepared for the costs involved, including shipping, insurance, customs duties, quarantine inspection fees, and storage (if needed).

Documentation

Ensure all necessary documentation is completed accurately, including shipping forms, insurance papers, and customs declarations.

Restricted Items

Be aware of items that are restricted or prohibited from being imported into Australia, such as certain types of food, plant materials, and animal products.

Timeframe

Plan your shipment well in advance. Sea freight can take several weeks to months, depending on the route and logistics involved.

Always verify current regulations and procedures with both South African export authorities and Australian import authorities, as rules can change. Additionally, consulting with the shipping company for their guidance and experience can be very helpful.