Shipping Personal Goods Overseas
Ship Your Belongings Anywhere in the World
Moving overseas, sending belongings to family, or heading home after working or studying in Australia? Fastrak Logistics ships personal effects and household goods from Sydney and anywhere in Australia to almost any country in the world.
We look after the whole journey: advice on what to send and how to pack it, pickup, export, sea or air freight, and customs clearance and delivery at the other end through our overseas agents.
Whether it’s a few boxes, a motorbike or the contents of a whole home, we’ll find the most cost-effective way to get it there.
Sea Freight for Personal Goods
- Shared container (LCL): the most affordable option for a few boxes up to a room of furniture. You pay only for the space you use.
- 20ft container: roughly the contents of a one- to two-bedroom home.
- 40ft container: roughly the contents of a three- to four-bedroom home.
- Door to door or port to port: choose full delivery to the new address, or collect from the destination port yourself.
Air Freight for Urgent Items
Need some things to arrive quickly, such as work equipment, clothing or documents? Air freight gets them there in days rather than weeks. Many people send a few essentials by air and the rest by sea.
What You Can Send
- Clothing, shoes and personal items
- Books, photos and keepsakes
- Kitchenware and household goods
- Furniture and appliances
- Electronics and computers
- Tools, bikes and sports equipment
- Artwork and collectables
What You Can’t Send, or Need to Check
- Flammable or dangerous goods, such as aerosols, paint, fuel, gas bottles and fireworks
- Loose lithium batteries and power banks
- Perishable food, plants and soil
- Firearms, ammunition and weapons, which need permits
- Cash, jewellery and important documents, which are best carried with you
- Some Australian cultural heritage objects and native wildlife products, which need an export permit
The destination country has its own banned and restricted items too. We’ll check them for you.
Documents You’ll Need
- A copy of your passport
- A detailed inventory of what you’re sending, with approximate values
- The full delivery address and a contact at the destination
- Your visa, residence permit or other proof of your move, if you’re claiming duty-free entry
- Any forms the destination country requires (we’ll tell you which)
Packing Tips
- Use strong boxes, and number and label each one
- Keep your inventory list updated as you pack
- Clean outdoor furniture, bikes, shoes and garden tools so they’re free of soil, as many countries inspect for it
- Drain fuel from mowers and other equipment
- Wrap fragile items well and mark boxes clearly
- Ask us about professional packing if you’d rather not do it yourself
How It Works
- Quote: tell us what you’re sending, roughly how much, and where it’s going.
- Booking: we confirm the service, timing and costs, and the documents you’ll need.
- Pickup: we collect from your home, or you drop off by arrangement.
- Export and shipping: your goods are booked on the next suitable sailing or flight.
- Arrival: our overseas agent handles customs clearance at the destination.
- Delivery: to your new address, or ready for you to collect.
Exporting for Your Business
Fastrak also handles commercial exports for Australian businesses: FCL and LCL sea freight, air freight, pickup from your premises and delivery to your overseas customer.
Commercial goods worth more than AUD 2,000, or goods that need an export permit, must be reported to the Australian Border Force on an export declaration before they leave. We prepare and lodge it for you.
Export Documents and Advice
- Export declarations lodged with the Australian Border Force
- Commercial invoices and packing lists
- Certificates of origin, so your customer can claim free trade agreement duty rates
- Export certification for food and agricultural products
- Dangerous goods documentation
- Incoterms advice, so it’s clear who pays for each stage
Shipping Personal Goods FAQs
Do I need an export declaration to send personal goods overseas?
No. Under Australian Border Force rules, personal effects are exempt from the export declaration requirement. Commercial goods worth more than AUD 2,000, or goods that need an export permit, must be declared.
How long does shipping personal goods overseas take?
It depends on the destination and service. Air freight usually takes a few days to a week door to door. Sea freight can take from a couple of weeks to Asia to six weeks or more to Europe and the Americas, plus time for packing, consolidation and customs clearance. We confirm timings with your quote.
Will I pay duty on my belongings when they arrive?
It depends on the destination country. Many countries let people who are moving there bring used personal effects in duty-free, but conditions apply, such as proof of residence and owning the goods for a minimum time. We’ll tell you what applies before you ship.
Can you collect from my home?
Yes. We can collect from your home anywhere in Sydney and arrange pickup from other parts of Australia. Tell us your address and what you’re sending when you ask for a quote.
Should I insure my shipment?
We recommend it. Standard carrier liability is limited, so transit insurance protects you if goods are lost or damaged. Ask us about cover options when you book.
Contact Fastrak
Tell us what you’re sending and where it’s going, and we’ll come back with a sea or air freight quote.
Call 1300 816 433 or email info@fastraklogistics.com.au. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
