Australia → the United Kingdom
Shipping from Australia to the UK
Move cargo from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and anywhere else in Australia to London, Manchester, Birmingham — full container, shared container or air freight — with customs clearance and final delivery handled inside one account.
ShipHub™ IKEOCEAN® is a worldwide shipping account. This lane is one of tens of thousands — the same account books any origin to any destination, in any direction, with no separate account needed per country.
About this lane
- Leaving Australia
- Australian exports over AUD 2,000, or controlled goods, need an Export Declaration Number (EDN) before loading.
- Arriving in the UK
- UK customs brokers file the import declaration, handle duty and VAT and arrange release. For this lane, have ready: EORI number; UK import declaration; UKCA or product conformity evidence where applicable.
- The usual route
- Sea cargo usually loads at Sydney or Melbourne and discharges at Felixstowe or Southampton. Air cargo usually flies Sydney to London Heathrow.
- Planning your timing
- Plan around 5–8 weeks on the water or 3–10 days by air, then allow for British clearance. Starting the the UK import paperwork before the cargo sails is what usually keeps it moving.
Ways to ship Australia to the United Kingdom
Ocean FCL (20ft / 40ft container)
Typically 5–8 weeks port to port
Best for: Vehicles, machinery, full loads and sourcing trips
Ocean LCL (shared container)
Typically 5–8 weeks port to port
Best for: Pallets, part loads and smaller restocks
Air freight
Typically 3–10 days airport to airport
Best for: Urgent, high-value, perishable or sample cargo
Door to door
Add pickup in Australia and British last-mile delivery
Best for: Shippers who want one price and no handoffs
Transit times are typical ranges and vary by carrier, season, port congestion and customs.
How it works
- 1
Request a quote
Give the pickup address in Australia, the delivery address in the UK, and what you are shipping with the weight or container size.
- 2
Compare and book
You get priced options across sea and air from vetted carriers and forwarders, with the landed picture — freight, British clearance and delivery.
- 3
Documents in one place
Upload your invoice and packing list once. Anything the UK requires is requested from you inside the same request and stays attached through delivery.
- 4
Clear and deliver
UK customs brokers file the import declaration, handle duty and VAT and arrange release. You follow it from pickup to final delivery, with proof of delivery at the end.
Documents you will need
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Certificate of origin where applicable
- EORI number
- UK import declaration
- UKCA or product conformity evidence where applicable
Questions shippers ask
How long does shipping from Australia to the UK take?
Sea freight is typically 5–8 weeks port to port and air freight is 3–10 days airport to airport. Customs clearance in the UK adds a few days when documents are in order.
Which ports and airports do you use on this lane?
Sea freight typically loads at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and discharges at Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway. Air freight moves through Sydney, Melbourne to London Heathrow, Manchester.
Do you handle British customs clearance?
UK customs brokers file the import declaration, handle duty and VAT and arrange release. The documents stay attached to your shipment, so nothing has to be re-sent by email.
Can I ship to other countries on the same account?
Yes. Your ShipHub™ IKEOCEAN® account is worldwide. The same login books Australia to the UK, the reverse direction, and any other country pair — one container can go one way while another goes somewhere else entirely.
What do I file in Australia before shipping to the UK?
Australian exports over AUD 2,000, or controlled goods, need an Export Declaration Number (EDN) before loading.