When you move to Australia, you might be wondering what the process is and how you can prepare for the big move.
Moving is a lengthy process so it can be helpful to know what’s involved well in advance so that you can start making arrangements at your earliest convenience.
At Overseas Packers & Shippers, we’ve been moving individuals, families and couples to and from Australia for over 40 years, so we’re experts on the entire moving process.
Step 1
Shipping Time
Once your goods have been packed and sent to the port to be shipped, our overseas shipping partner will send you Shipment Advice detailing when your shipping container will arrive in Australia.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
At this stage, you become an Overseas Packers & Shippers client, where our team deal with proceedings going forward. It’s important to note that these arrival notices don’t take into account customs and quarantine procedures, which can sometimes add up to another 4 weeks to your arrival date.
During this stage of the move, you will also be invoiced for quarantine fees and asked to complete a delivery instruction form so that Overseas Packers & Shippers know how to proceed when your shipping container arrives.
Step 2
Arrival Time
When your container arrives in Australia, it will be unloaded from the ship and taken to the Overseas Packers & Shippers depot. It can take up to 5 days for the vessel to be unloaded and for us to collect from the Port. Once at our depot the goods are unloaded from the container and prepared for quarantine.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
It’s important to note that there are a number of delays that can impact the arrival time of your goods, such as poor weather, port congestion, poor vessel conditions and more. Unfortunately, these delays are largely outside the control of Overseas Packers & Shippers, our shipping partners and the ship operators.
Step 3
Customs & Quarantine
When foreign goods arrive in Australia and New Zealand, they need to be processed through customs to ensure no prohibited items enter the country. During the quarantine process, foreign goods are checked for biosecurity issues such as pests, dirt and vegetation; things that can be introduced into Australia which would cause harm to our environment. Inventories are screened prior to unloading so that the crew know which items Quarantine want to inspect. On unloading the items for Quarantine are placed on the Quarantine floor for inspection and then reunited with the main shipment (good items) once inspected and clear.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
It’s important to remember that the time period for customs clearance can be anywhere from 10 days to 15 working days, which is often not included in the agents shipment advice to you on departure. Therefore, you should allow for 3 weeks on top of the arrival to allow for customs clearance so that you aren’t surprised when the container doesn’t show up at your doorstep straight away. Depending on where in the world your items have been shipped to, the overseas shipping process can take up to 12 weeks, so it’s important to account for this when planning your move.
Step 4
Delivery
Once your goods have been cleared through customs and all payments and documentation have been received, your files will be handed to operations. Once our operations team have received everything, they will be in contact with you to arrange a delivery date for your goods.
When your items are delivered, our experienced Overseas Packers & Shippers team will transport your belongings to your new home, unpack the boxes and leave everything in a safe spot for you to sort at your leisure.
Get a Quote
One of the first steps to take when organising your move to Australia is to get a quote for your move. If you’re moving to Australia, but seek a quote through Overseas Packers & Shippers, contact us for a quote and we will take all the hard work of finding a mover off their hands.
Get in Touch:
Overseas Packers & Shippers are Brisbane based, family owned and operated international moving company. To enquire about your move to Australia, get in touch with our friendly team on 1300 732 686 or contact us via email on visitus@overseaspackers.com.au.
