International Moving Services from Australia to the United States
Moving to the United States does not necessarily mean moving an entire household.
Overseas Packers & Shippers regularly assists customers with smaller moves to the USA, from a few boxes and selected furniture through to larger household relocations.
We offer a range of shipping options including Groupage (shared container), LCL, Full Container Load (FCL) and air freight, allowing us to find a service that suits the size of your shipment, destination, timeframe and budget.
With 50 years of international moving experience, we will coordinate your move from collection and professional packing in Australia through to customs clearance and delivery with our trusted moving partner in the United States.
Request a Quick Quote
Shipping Your Belongings to the USA
The best way to ship your belongings to the United States will depend on how much you are taking, where you are moving and how quickly you would like your shipment to depart.
Groupage – Shared Container
If you are moving a smaller amount, Groupage can be a practical and cost-effective option.
Your belongings are professionally packed and consolidated with other customers’ shipments travelling to the USA, so you pay for the space your shipment requires rather than an entire container.
Our USA Groupage services operate at selected times based on demand. Our Moving Consultants can let you know the expected timing of the next available service when preparing your quote.
Full Container Load – FCL
For larger household moves, a 20ft or 40ft sole-use container may be the most suitable option.
With FCL, the container is exclusively for your shipment, so there is no need to wait for other customers’ belongings to be consolidated before it can depart.
The United States has numerous ports and an extensive transport network. We will select an appropriate routing based on your final destination and work with our trusted U.S. moving partner to coordinate the destination services and delivery to your new home.
LCL – Less than Container Load
If you have a smaller shipment but do not want to wait for the next available Groupage service, LCL may provide an earlier sea-freight option.
Your belongings travel through the shipping line’s LCL network, sharing container space with other cargo.
This can be particularly useful for smaller USA moves where the timing of the next Groupage service does not suit your plans.
Air Freight
For very small shipments or belongings you would like to receive sooner, air freight may also be an option.
Some customers choose to send the majority of their belongings by sea and a smaller shipment of essential items by air.
Our Moving Consultants can discuss the available options and help you compare the expected timing and cost.
Moving a Smaller Shipment to the USA?
You do not need to be moving an entire household to use an international removalist.
Many of the USA enquiries we receive are from people taking only part of their household, such as boxes of personal belongings, clothing, books, artwork, selected furniture or other items they do not want to leave behind.
We will calculate the approximate volume of what you are taking and look at the available shipping options. For smaller moves, we can often provide a quote from a detailed list of your belongings without needing an in-home survey.
If you are unsure what your shipment will measure, just tell us what you are planning to take and we can help you work it out.
USA Customs Requirements
Household goods and personal belongings entering the United States are subject to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements.
Used household effects that meet the applicable requirements may be eligible for duty-free entry, while different rules can apply to newer goods, vehicles, food, alcohol and other restricted or regulated items.
For unaccompanied household belongings, CBP Form 3299 – Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles is commonly required as part of the customs clearance documentation. Link for CBP form 3299 https://www.cbp.gov/document/forms/form-3299-declaration-free-entry-unaccompanied-articles
We will provide relevant customs information during the quoting or pre-move process and work with our U.S. destination partner to coordinate clearance when your shipment arrives.
You will be responsible for providing complete and accurate information and documentation relating to your shipment.
For current requirements, refer to the FIDI USA Customs Guide and official U.S. Customs and Border Protection information.Â
Professional Packing for Your USA Move
Our experienced international removalists can professionally pack and prepare your belongings for international transportation.
From everyday household belongings and furniture through to china, artwork and fragile or unusual pieces, we use packing methods and materials appropriate to the items being shipped.
You can choose to pack some belongings yourself, although owner-packed goods may be subject to different customs and insurance requirements. A detailed inventory of the contents of owner-packed cartons is particularly important when shipping to the United States.
Our Moving Consultants can explain what you can pack yourself and when professional export packing may be more appropriate.
Taking Your Car or Motorbike to the USA?
Before deciding to ship a car or motorbike from Australia to the United States, it is important to check whether the particular vehicle is eligible for permanent importation.
The United States has strict vehicle safety and emissions requirements. As a general rule, a vehicle less than 25 years old needs to have been originally manufactured and certified to meet applicable U.S. standards to be imported without going through the additional process that applies to non-conforming vehicles.
Importantly, where the vehicle brand was manufactured is not the determining factor.
For example, an Australian-market Harley-Davidson may have been manufactured by an American company, but that does not necessarily mean the motorcycle was manufactured and certified to meet the requirements for the U.S. market. The same principle can apply to cars and other vehicles sold specifically for the Australian market.
Vehicles that were not originally manufactured and certified to U.S. standards may face additional import requirements and, in some cases, may not be practical to permanently import.
Classic and Older Vehicles
Different requirements apply to older vehicles. Under NHTSA rules, a vehicle that is at least 25 years old from its date of manufacture can generally be imported without having to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that apply to newer vehicles.
Other requirements, including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), customs and registration requirements, may still apply.
Check Before You Ship
Because eligibility depends on the individual vehicle, its age, specifications and original certification, we recommend confirming that your vehicle can be legally imported and registered in the United States before arranging shipment.
Once you have established that your vehicle is suitable for import, our Moving Consultants can discuss the available international shipping options.
Our Moving Process:
We aim to make moving from Australia to Europe as straightforward as possible. From your first quote through to delivery at your new home, our team will coordinate each stage of your international move.
Request a Quote:
Complete our Quick Quote form or call 1300 732 686 to speak with one of our Moving Consultants.
For smaller shipments, a detailed list of the belongings you are taking may be all we need to prepare your quote.
In Home or Virtual Survey:
For larger moves, we can arrange an obligation-free in-home or virtual survey via FaceTime or WhatsApp to assess the approximate volume of your belongings and discuss the available shipping options.
Professional Packing:
Our experienced crew professionally packs and prepares your belongings for international transportation.
We recommend that at least one adult remains available during packing in case our crew has any questions.
Shipping:
We will arrange the selected Groupage, LCL, FCL or air freight service and keep you informed as your shipment progresses.
Once your shipment has departed, we will provide the relevant shipping details and contact information for the destination partner handling your shipment in the United States.
Customs Clearance:
Our U.S. destination partner will coordinate the customs clearance process using the documentation and shipment information provided.
Delivery to Your New Home:
Once the necessary clearance requirements have been completed, our destination partner will coordinate delivery to your new home.
Visas & Immigration
Visa and immigration requirements for entering or living in the United States depend on your nationality, reason for moving and individual circumstances.
You do not need to have everything finalised before contacting us about shipping your belongings. We can start discussing your move and preparing a quote while your other arrangements are still being confirmed.
For current visa and immigration requirements, always refer directly to the appropriate official U.S. Government immigration authorities.
A Trusted International Network
As a FIDI FAIM accredited mover and one of only four OMNI members in Australia, Overseas Packers & Shippers works with trusted international moving partners to coordinate your move through to your destination in the United States.
Our international network gives you experienced teams at both ends of your move, while you continue to deal directly with OPS during the Australian stage of your relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shipping options do you offer from Australia to the USA?
We offer Groupage, LCL, FCL and air freight, so you do not need to have enough belongings to fill an entire shipping container.
The best option will depend on the volume of your shipment, destination, timeframe and budget. Our Moving Consultants can explain the available services and provide a quote based on what you are planning to take.
Can you move just a few boxes or pieces of furniture to the USA?
Yes. We regularly assist with smaller international shipments, including boxes of personal belongings and selected household furniture.
Depending on the size of your shipment and your preferred timeframe, Groupage, LCL or air freight may be suitable.
For smaller shipments, we can often prepare your quote from a detailed list of what you are taking.
How long does it take to ship belongings from Australia to the USA?
Shipping times vary depending on your destination, shipping method, available vessel schedules, port conditions and customs clearance.
FCL and LCL can generally provide more immediate shipping options, while Groupage departures depend on consolidation and the next available service.
We will provide an estimated timeframe based on the shipping option available for your particular move.
What customs documents will I need to move my belongings to the USA?
The documentation required will depend on your circumstances and what you are shipping.
For unaccompanied household belongings, CBP Form 3299 is commonly part of the customs documentation required. You will also need a sufficiently detailed inventory of the goods being imported.
We will provide relevant customs information before your shipment departs and our U.S. destination partner will coordinate the clearance process when your belongings arrive.
For the latest requirements, refer to the FIDI USA Customs Guide and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Moving to the USA?
Whether you are taking a few boxes, selected furniture or your entire household, you do not need to work out the shipping method yourself.
Tell us where you are moving to and what you are planning to take, and our Moving Consultants can look at the available options and provide a quote for your move.
We take over the complicated process of moving…
Helping our clients pack, organise insurance, liaise with shipping officials on their behalf and unpack at the end of the move.
Learn more about our process
