Moving from India to Australia: cost, transit time and customs
The short answer
- A 2BHK (≈18 CBM) usually ships in a 20ft container for about ₹3.8–5.5 lakh door to door; a 1BHK by LCL is about ₹2.8–4 lakh.
- Sea freight takes 45–70 days door to door by FCL and 60–85 days by LCL. Air takes 7–12 days.
- The key customs form is the B534 Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement. Every shipment also goes through biosecurity assessment, and many are inspected.
- Personal effects you owned and used for at least 12 months are generally free of duty and GST.
Prices are indicative door-to-door ranges in INR, excluding duties, destination inspection fees and insurance. Get an exact figure with the cost calculator or a free survey.
India to Australia at a glance
| Origin ports | Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra, Chennai |
|---|---|
| Main Australian ports | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle (Perth), Adelaide |
| Sea transit, port to port | 25–40 days (usually via Singapore or Colombo) |
| Door to door, FCL / LCL | 45–70 days / 60–85 days |
| Air, door to door | 7–12 days |
| Key customs form | B534 Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement |
| Duty/GST on used effects | Generally free if owned and used 12+ months |
| Mains power | 230V / 50Hz, Type I plugs |
How much does it cost to move from India to Australia?
For most families, a door-to-door move from India to Australia costs between ₹2.8–4 lakh for a 1BHK and ₹5.8–8 lakh for a 4BHK. Volume, not weight, drives the price for sea freight.
| Home size | Typical volume | Usual method | Indicative cost (door to door) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BHK / studio | ≈10.3 CBM | LCL (shared container) | ₹2.8–4 lakh |
| 2BHK | ≈18.3 CBM | 20ft container (FCL) | ₹3.8–5.5 lakh |
| 3BHK | ≈27.7 CBM | 20ft container (FCL) — full load | ₹3.8–5.5 lakh |
| 4BHK / villa | ≈40.3 CBM | 40ft container (FCL) | ₹5.8–8 lakh |
| Air — essentials only | ≈250 kg | Air freight | ₹125k–₹200k |
Volumes are Pikkol's standard averages for Indian homes. Your actual volume depends on furniture, books and appliances — a written survey fixes it. LCL is priced per CBM; containers are priced per box. Excludes duties/taxes, destination exam or inspection fees, storage and insurance (typically 2.5 of declared value).
Want your own number? Use the International Moving Cost Calculator — add rooms and items, and it picks LCL, 20ft or 40ft for you.
Should you ship LCL or a full container to Australia?
LCL suits up to roughly 13 CBM. Shared containers are unpacked at an approved arrangement site in Australia, where biosecurity can inspect each consignment. Allow extra time if another shipper's goods in the same container are held.
A 20ft FCL wins from about 14 CBM and gives you control over your own inspection. If the biosecurity officer only needs to see a few items, it is faster with your own container.
Perth is a separate route. Fremantle has direct services from India, while the east coast ports — Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane — often route through Singapore. Adelaide and Hobart usually take longest.
Not sure? The Sea vs Air, LCL vs FCL guide recommends a method from your volume, deadline and fragile items.
How long does shipping from India to Australia take?
Plan for 45–70 days door to door by full container, 60–85 days by LCL, and 7–12 days by air. Here's where the time goes:
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Survey, quote and packing date fixed | 1–3 weeks before packing |
| Clean and prepare items for biosecurity | Before packing |
| Packing, export customs, loading | 3–7 days |
| Ocean voyage incl. transhipment | 25–40 days |
| Customs and biosecurity assessment / inspection | 5–15 days |
| Delivery to your Australian home | 2–7 days |
Transit times vary with sailing schedules, transhipment, peak season and customs selection. Your coordinator shares the vessel and ETA once booked.
Which customs documents do you need for Australia?
Keep these ready. Pikkol prepares the inventory and customs forms from your packing list, but some can only come from you.
| Document | Who provides it | When |
|---|---|---|
| Passport with Australian visa grant | You | Before packing |
| B534 Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement | You, signed | Before arrival |
| Detailed inventory listing wooden, cane, sporting and garden items | Pikkol at packing | At packing |
| Original Bill of Lading / Air Waybill | Shipping line or airline | After loading |
| Arrival stamp / travel dates | You | After you land |
| Authority for the Australian customs broker | You | Before clearance |
Do you pay customs duty on household goods in Australia?
Personal effects and household goods you have owned and used overseas for 12 months or more are generally free of duty and GST when you are moving to Australia to live.
Items owned for less than 12 months can be charged GST (10%) and possibly duty. Keep receipts for recent purchases.
Biosecurity is separate from customs. Even duty-free goods can be inspected, treated (for example, fumigated) or destroyed if they carry soil, seeds, insects or untreated wood. Inspection and treatment are charged to the importer, often A$750.
Alcohol and tobacco are dutiable. Tobacco in a shipment is heavily restricted.
Customs rules change. This summary reflects official guidance as of 28 September 2026; the officer's decision at clearance is final. See sources below.
What can't you ship from India to Australia?
Leave these out of your household shipment, or check with us first:
- Most foods from India, including ghee and dairy, meat products, many spices with seeds, rice and pulses — declare anything you are unsure about
- Soil in any form: dirty shoes, garden tools, bicycles, tents and outdoor gear must be cleaned
- Untreated wooden items, cane, bamboo, rattan and straw products (may need inspection or treatment)
- Seeds, plants, dried flowers and religious items made of plant material
- Firearms and certain weapons without permits
- Hazardous goods: aerosols, fuel, gas cylinders, paint
Appliances, cars and pets: what's different for Australia?
Electronics and appliances
Australia uses 230V/50Hz, the same as India, so most Indian appliances work with a simple Type I plug adapter. Check that TVs and set-top boxes are compatible before shipping. Our Ship, Sell or Store tool helps decide item by item.
Cars
Importing a personal vehicle requires Commonwealth approval and compliance with Australian design rules. For most Indian-market cars it is costly and slow, so most families buy locally.
Pets
India is not an approved country for direct dog and cat imports to Australia. Pets usually have to live for a period in an approved third country first. This takes months — talk to our pet relocation team early.
Budget for biosecurity, not just freight.
Australia's freight is reasonable; its border is strict. The surprise cost on this corridor is almost always inspection, treatment or storage while a consignment waits for a biosecurity officer — not the ocean freight.
Pack clean and declare honestly. Wash shoes, bikes and garden tools, leave behind cane and untreated wood you don't love, and never pack food in the household goods. A shipment that has nothing to hide clears in days; a mixed one can wait weeks.
International Move Consultant, Pikkol · 35 moves to Australia planned
How does Pikkol run an India to Australia move?
- Biosecurity-ready packing inventory with wooden, cane and outdoor items listed separately
- Pre-packing checklist to clean and declare risk items
- Customs and biosecurity clearance by a named Australian partner: Sydney
- Video or in-home survey with a written CBM estimate
- Transit insurance options at 2.5% of declared value
- One move coordinator from survey to delivery
Before you choose any mover, run through our 12 checks to choose an international mover , and compare quotes line by line with the quote comparison tool.
India to Australia moving FAQs
How much does it cost to move from India to Australia?
Indicatively, a 1BHK (about 10 CBM) by LCL costs ₹2.8–4 lakh, a 2BHK in a 20ft container ₹3.8–5.5 lakh, and a 4BHK in a 40ft container ₹5.8–8 lakh, door to door. Biosecurity inspection, duties and insurance are extra.
What is the B534 form for moving to Australia?
The B534 Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement is the Australian Border Force form you sign to declare the personal effects arriving separately from you. Your customs broker uses it to clear the shipment.
Is there duty on household goods shipped to Australia?
Generally no, if you have owned and used the goods for at least 12 months and are moving to live in Australia. Newer items can attract GST and duty. Alcohol and tobacco are charged.
Why was my shipment to Australia inspected?
Every personal effects shipment is assessed for biosecurity risk. Wooden, cane and outdoor items, sports gear and anything that may carry soil, seeds or insects can trigger an inspection or treatment, which is charged to you.
Can I send Indian food and spices to Australia?
Most food from India, including dairy and ghee, meat products and seeds, is prohibited or restricted. Keep food out of your household shipment. Declare anything you carry in person.
How long does shipping from India to Australia take?
Allow 45–70 days door to door for a full container and 60–85 days for LCL, including biosecurity clearance. Air shipments take 7–12 days.
Will my Indian appliances work in Australia?
Usually yes. Australia uses 230V/50Hz like India, so most appliances only need a Type I plug adapter.
Can I take my dog from India to Australia?
Not directly. India is not an approved country, so dogs and cats usually need to live in an approved third country before entering Australia. Start planning several months ahead.
Plan your move to Australia
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