Indicative costs for sea freight, shared containers, sole-use containers and air freight from Australia to the United States — with a breakdown of what drives pricing, what's included, and what to watch for.
International moving costs vary significantly based on your specific volume, destination, timing and access conditions. The figures below are based on Sydney or Melbourne origin to a US coastal city. Nuss provides a fixed written quote after an in-home survey — the only way to get accurate numbers for your move specifically.
Your goods share space in a 20ft or 40ft container with other Australia–USA shipments. Most cost-effective for smaller moves. Slightly longer delivery windows due to consolidation scheduling.
The entire container is yours. More control over packing, faster scheduling and cleaner customs documentation. Best balance of cost and control for mid-size moves.
Full 40ft container for large family homes. Includes export packing, port charges, sea freight, US customs clearance and US delivery. The all-in cost is lower per CBM than smaller options at this scale.
Used alongside a sea freight shipment for items needed before the container arrives. Not practical for furniture or large volumes due to cost per kilogram.
The single biggest variable. A 1-bedroom apartment might fill 10–15 cubic metres (CBM); a 4-bedroom family home typically runs 35–60 CBM. Volume determines whether you use a shared container, a sole-use 20ft or a 40ft container.
Sydney and Melbourne have the most frequent direct sailings to the US and the lowest port charges. Brisbane and Perth are slightly higher; Adelaide and Hobart involve feeder vessels to a main port, adding cost and time.
Sea freight ends at a US port. Inland delivery to your door adds cost proportional to distance. Port of Long Beach → Los Angeles is minimal. Port of Baltimore → Chicago adds a full road or rail leg.
Sea freight (LCL shared container, 20ft FCL or 40ft FCL) is substantially cheaper than air freight for volume goods. Air freight is used for essentials — laptops, documents, a week's worth of clothes — while the container is in transit.
Marine transit insurance is calculated as a percentage of the declared replacement value of your goods. Budget approximately 2–3% of the total insured value for a comprehensive all-risk policy covering sea freight.
Used personal effects imported within 12 months of establishing US residency are generally exempt from customs duty under CBP. New or commercial goods are dutiable. ISF filing fees, port charges and customs broker fees apply regardless.
Nuss provides a fixed, itemised written quote after a 30-minute in-home survey. No range, no "subject to confirmation". One number, all-in.