I have been looking round my house and wondering what to take and what to leave (taking into account 8-10 week shipping time)

Do we take as much as possible such as dining table, sofa etc, or just the basics such as clothes, photos and other personal effects.

Things such as tents, bikes... we imported a wicked 12 man tent from US, but is it better to just buy a new one in oz?

WHAT DID YOU TAKE...??

(thanks for replys in advance!)

I plan to take everything.......the cost to ship your possessions to Oz, IMO, is far cheaper and less hassle then having to buy everything new when you get there......and i would like the kids to have their rooms and all things familiar to them...

Take everything. Talk to your shipping agent but normally a part full container is almost as cheap as full one. Also ask about reefers as these are often available very cheap.

2 things I considered.....

Sell second hand in UK at say 33% of replacement value (generous) and replace at 100% costs loads.
Houses here are typically bigger than UK so extr rooms/spaces to fill.

Of course it depends on your financial position largely, but I'd bring all you can.

Hi

We plan to do the same. Bring everything that is new or newish....I think the kids would settle better if they have familiar things around them.

We're taking more or less everything. Don't want to be forking out for stuff once we arrive....even little things like tin openers!!
All the little things will add up in cost if you replace in Oz.

What shipping company did you use/going to use?

And how much is a container??
and how big are containers??

I used Anglo Pacific and found them excellent. There are loads of threads on here with a variety of experiences. A 20' container costs around GBP4K. A reefer is slightly cheaper.

Bring it all. Fill the container up. John Mason were excellent. No idea on cost now. It's bound to have gone up since we came over.

whats a reefer

a reefer is one of the refridgerated containers - normally used for heat sensitive cargo, but often used for exporting general goods...I think they're just slightly smaller than a normal 20ft container but i'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong!

Hi, we are just going through the same process and taking the lot over. I don't know if you have found the link to the customs side but that helped me alot with regards to what can and can't take.

I found a link in the main australia forum. one of the READ ME threads called to do list/useful aus links. it's the third reply. a pdf file.

sorry, do not know how to link it to this posting.

nb. We have had a couple of quotes which have given us completely different estimates on the cubic footage that we are taking. so we have to get a few more in.

That's correct. We used a reefer and easily fitted a large 3 bed house with full loft and 2 sheds and 1 large workshop (minus the property itself ) in, no problems. They are slightly cheaper but you can guarantee no leaks (you should be able to with any other container) but as they often carry delicate stuff, they are doubly safe.

Reefer sounds like the way to go about taking our things over!!

Do all shipping companies have them? or are there only specific firms?

I always remember someone here a few months back, answering this question, can't remember who it was now...

Anyway, he said, just open your cutlery drawer & see what's in there - it could cost you a hundred quid to replace all that stuff if you left it behind, you just don't realise it because you accumulated it over years. Now imagine if you did that with every cupboard & room in your house....

Bring everything you can & sell it in Oz if you decide you don't want it

Done it both ways now.

Would recommend taking the lot.

Its very exciting shopping for all the new stuff you need if you dont bring it, but also very expensive.

If it can be shipped....ship it

LibbyX