Your Trusted International Moving Company
Moving from San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose or anywhere else in the Bay Area to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth takes you across the Pacific, about 7,400 miles for San Francisco to Sydney. Australia also has some of the strictest biosecurity rules in the world, so how your belongings are packed and declared matters. NOR-CAL Moving Services is a Bay Area international moving company that manages the whole move, from packing at your door to delivery in Australia. We’ve moved households to Sydney and other Australian destinations.
Australia is one of the longest moves we handle. Your shipment spends weeks at sea and must pass customs and a biosecurity inspection before it is released. As a full-service international mover, NOR-CAL takes care of packing, export paperwork, shipping and delivery, and tells you what to expect at each stage. We are a direct mover, not a broker, and we are licensed and insured.
Why People Trust NOR-CAL Moving Services for Bay Area to Australia Moves?
Experienced Bay Area to Australia Movers
Export-Grade Packing and Crating
Customs and Biosecurity Paperwork Support
Short and Long-Term Storage
Licensed and Insured Movers
We Make Your Move from the Bay Area to Australia Simple
- Free estimate. We survey your home in person or by video and recommend ocean or air freight.
- Packing and loading. Our crews pack and inventory every item, and set aside anything that needs special preparation.
- Export and shipping. We handle US export documents and book your shipment across the Pacific.
- Australian customs, biosecurity and delivery. Your goods clear customs and inspection and are delivered to your address.
- Unpacking. We can unpack, place your furniture and remove the packing materials.
Follow your shipment with our international shipment tracking.
Bay Area to Australia at a Glance
- Distance (San Francisco to Sydney): About 7,400 miles
- Typical shipping method: Ocean freight (full or shared container) or air freight
- Typical ocean transit, door to door: About 8 to 12 weeks
- Customs paperwork for movers: Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement (Form B534)
- Electricity: US 120V / 60Hz; Australia 230V / 50Hz with Type I plugs
- Driving side: US right; Australia left
An International Moving Company You Can Count On
We are based in the Bay Area, and our international moves run through the Allied International network of carriers and agents. You work with a local team before you leave, and a partner team in Australia receives and delivers your shipment. Our international moving resources explain the process step by step.
What Makes the Bay Area to Australia Route Unique?
Strict biosecurity. Australian biosecurity officers can inspect incoming household goods, and items that arrive dirty or contain soil, seeds, insects or plant material can be held, cleaned or treated at your cost. Wooden, bamboo, cane and rattan items, outdoor and camping gear, bicycles, garden tools and used footwear deserve extra care. Clean them before packing, and declare everything on your inventory. Food, plants and seeds generally can’t be shipped.
Customs concessions for used belongings. Australia generally allows used personal effects you owned before moving to come in under a concession, but new items and things bought shortly before the move may be treated differently. You declare your goods on an Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement (Form B534). The rules and eligibility change, so confirm the current requirements with the Australian Border Force. We prepare the detailed inventory that supports your declaration.
A long ocean crossing. Sea freight from the West Coast to Australia often takes about 8 to 12 weeks door to door. If you need essentials sooner, we can send a smaller air freight shipment ahead of the main one.
Different electricity and driving. Australia uses 230V / 50Hz power with Type I plugs and drives on the left. Large US appliances usually aren’t worth shipping, and importing a vehicle is subject to tight rules that often make selling it the better option.
Where we deliver. We deliver to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and many other Australian cities and regional areas.
Professional Packing and Unpacking for Your Australia Move
On a long sea voyage, packing quality decides what arrives intact. We use export-grade materials, crate fragile and valuable items and record every carton in a detailed inventory, which is also what Australian officials review. Our packing services include unpacking and removal of packing materials at your Australian home.
Storage and Flexibility When You Need It
Visa dates, lease starts and settlement dates rarely match your Bay Area move-out date. We can hold your goods in household storage until your shipment is ready to leave, or arrange storage near your Australian destination.
Ready to Move from the Bay Area to Australia?
Tell us where you’re moving from and which Australian city you’re heading to, and we’ll send a free quote. Get your free quote or call us at (510) 949-8954.
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Question & Answer
How long does it take to ship household goods from the Bay Area to Australia?
By ocean, plan on about 8 to 12 weeks door to door, including pickup, export clearance, the sailing, Australian customs and biosecurity checks and delivery. Air freight is much faster and is often used for essentials. Timing depends on the shipping method, the destination city and whether your shipment is selected for inspection.
How much does it cost to move from the Bay Area to Australia?
Cost depends on how much you are shipping, ocean or air, full or shared container, packing, access at both addresses, insurance and the delivery location in Australia. We give a free written quote after reviewing your move, so you know the price before you commit.
What is Australian biosecurity and how does it affect my move?
Australian biosecurity officers inspect imported goods to keep pests, diseases and contaminants out of the country. Items that are dirty or contain soil, seeds, insects or plant material can be held, cleaned or treated, which adds cost and delay. We help you prepare your goods and inventory, but you remain responsible for declaring everything accurately.
Will I pay Australian import duty or GST on my belongings?
Used personal effects you owned before moving can often be imported under a concession, but new items and recent purchases may be treated differently. You declare your goods on a Form B534, and conditions apply. This is general information, not tax advice, so check the current rules with the Australian Border Force.
Can I ship my car to Australia?
Australia has strict vehicle import rules, and most US-market cars don’t meet them without costly changes, so for many people selling the car and buying one in Australia is the better option. If you’d like to explore it, ask us and we’ll explain what to check first.
Will my US appliances work in Australia?
Mostly no. Australia runs on 230V / 50Hz with Type I plugs, while the US uses 120V / 60Hz. Chargers and many electronics are dual-voltage and work with an adapter, but appliances with motors or heating elements usually don’t. See our FAQs for more on what to ship and what to leave behind.
Call us today!
(510) 949-8954