FAQ

Question 1

What do I need to know about moving my household goods to Australia?

Accepted Answer

When moving to Australia there some key pieces of information you need to know. New Zealand citizens with a valid passport do not require a visa to live and work in Australia. In order to get your goods into Australia they must be cleared by both the Customs and Quarantine services. This is a benefit of a door-to-door move to Australia with New Zealand Movers, with our experience we will guide you through the Customs and AQIS declaration forms, called an Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement, and we will need to obtain a copy of your passport details page.

Question 2

Can I ship my car to Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can, however you will need to obtain an approval to ship your car first from the department of Infrastructure & Transport in Canberra, this can be completed online. You will also have to pay duty/tax to import your car to Australia.

Question 3

Can I take alcohol to Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can, however you will need to declare what you are importing and pay import duty/tax on it.

Question 4

How long will it take to ship my goods to Australia?

Accepted Answer

Shipments can be planned to quicken or lengthen the shipping times based on your own requirements. Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne: Sole Use Container 3 – 5 weeks, Shared Container up to 8 weeks.  Adelaide: Sole Use Container 3 – 5 weeks, Shared Container up to 9 weeks.  Perth: Sole Use 4 – 8 weeks, Shared Container up to 11 weeks.

Question 5

Can I store my belongings in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can. New Zealand Movers have secure, modern and accredited storage services available in Australia and New Zealand.

Question 6

Will my belongings be fumigated when they arrive in Australia?

Accepted Answer

There is a possibility that this may happen, however it is important to know that if any of your goods require treatment such as fumigation it is usually limited to specific items as opposed to your whole shipment.

Question 7

Will my car be steam cleaned when it arrives in Australia?

Accepted Answer

With Australia’s strict Quarantine service there is a good possibility that this may happen; so to try and avoid this and the expensive charges we recommend that you have your vehicle thoroughly groomed on the interior and exterior before shipping. Special attention should be paid to the wheel arches, engine bay and other areas that could trap contaminants.

Question 8

Will I have to pay duty on my household goods in Australia?

Accepted Answer

The good news is if you have owned and used your goods for 12 months or more then you will be allowed to import your general household goods free of duty/tax. This excludes items such as alcohol, cigarettes, and commercial items.

Question 9

Do I have to clean my goods before shipping to Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we recommend that you thoroughly clean all goods of an outdoor nature such as; garden furniture, gardening tools, lawn mowers, sports equipment, bikes, camping equipment and vacuum cleaners, etc. before they are shipped.

Question 10

Can I pack my own belongings?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can, but it is important that your follow our Packing Guide to ensure you meet the satisfaction of the Customs and Quarantine services, otherwise inspection costs and repacking in Australia will be expensive. The cost for New Zealand Movers to pack to Customs and Quarantine standard is very competitive, and we will complete the inventory to the standards required by Customs and AQIS.

Question 11

Can I use banana boxes for packing?

Accepted Answer

No you can’t, unfortunately banana boxes are of high risk and can carry contaminants and would require fumigation.

Question 12

Should I insure my belongings when moving to Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, insuring your goods during relocation is highly recommended for peace of mind and protection—just in case something unexpected happens. We offer a range of insurance options through Vero Marine, one of the world’s most trusted and reputable providers.

Question 13

What is the role of the Australian Customs Service?

Accepted Answer

The Australian Customs service wants to ensure you are not importing any prohibited or restricted items and collect any duty and tax which may be payable. To import your household goods into Australia free of duty and tax you must have owned and used them for 12 months or more. All alcoholic beverages and cigarettes are subject to duty and tax regardless of quantity.

Question 14

What does the Australian Quarantine Service do?

Accepted Answer

Australia has a very strict quarantine service: the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service or AQIS. Every shipment entering Australia is subject to a physical inspection by AQIS to ensure it does not contain any prohibited,  restricted or contaminated risk items. If it has, AQIS may order selected items to be fumigated or steam cleaned, or if they’re prohibited, then confiscated or destroyed. The charges can be very expensive, so to try and avoid them we recommend that you thoroughly clean all your items such as outdoor furniture, gardening tools, lawn mowers, sports equipment, bikes, camping equipment and vacuum cleaners before we pack them for shipping.

Question 15

Can I transport my pets to Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, moving pets such as cats and dogs from New Zealand to Australia is quite a simple process. You may even be able to book your pet to fly on the same plane as you. All cats and dogs are required to be microchipped prior to sending to Australia and there is no quarantine period required at destination. You must ensure that your cat or dog is up to date with all vaccinations and obtain a veterinary health clearance.

Question 16

Can I transfer money to Australia with XE Money Transfer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you require currency exchange, we will introduce you to XE Money Transfer, one of New Zealand’s leading Foreign exchange companies, to arrange the transferring of your funds to Australia. You will benefit from discounted fees and the best exchange rates available when you move to Australia with New Zealand Movers.

Moving to Sydney from NZ

Moving to Sydney

Moving From

Moving To

Shipping to Sydney

shared container shipping

Sea freight in a sole use 20’ or 40’ shipping container

Moving: Air freight carton service

Why Choose New Zealand Movers?

Planning Your Move to Sydney

5 Reasons to Move to Sydney

Moving to Australia Checklist

Top 5 Cities to Move to in Australia

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to start your move to Sydney?

NZ Movers

Locations

Terms & Policies