Moving from Australia to China
China is one of Australia's closest major shipping partners, so this lane is shorter and busier than a move from Europe, but Chinese customs is strict about the single shipment window. Here is the honest brief on shipping your home from Australia to China, the residence permit that unlocks import, and the steps that come first.
Moving from Australia to China is a sea move along one of the busiest trade lanes in the world, so it is shorter and better served than a move from Europe. Your container is shipped from an Australian port such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Fremantle and sails directly across Asia to one of China's major ports, then is delivered by road to your city. Shanghai and Ningbo serve the east, Shenzhen and Guangzhou the south, and Tianjin is the gateway for Beijing.
Because there is no Suez Canal on this route and the distance is far shorter than from Europe, transit times are quicker and sailings are frequent. China uses the renminbi, while you pay your Australian mover in Australian dollars. The thing that most shapes the customs side is that Chinese customs is strict and allows a single shipment of household goods, within a limited window after you take up residence.
This guide covers the real numbers for 2026 in Australian dollars, the strict way Chinese customs treats used household goods and the single shipment window tied to your residence permit, the work visa route that gets you there, and a conservative timeline. China rewards people who sequence the visa, the residence permit, and the shipment correctly, because import is allowed once, within a limited period after you take up residence.
What it costs to move from Australia to China.
A move from Australia to China is priced as a container job along a busy, relatively short lane, plus delivery from the Chinese port to your address. Your volume and whether you share a container or take a full one drive the bill. Ranges below are indicative for 2026 in Australian dollars.
Indicative ranges for 2026 in Australian dollars, before full packing, premium insurance, customs clearance fees, and delivery beyond the port city. Air freight is far higher and suits essentials only. These are not binding figures.
The biggest levers are your volume in cubic metres, whether you ship a shared or a full container, the Australian port you sail from, the Chinese port that serves your city, and the delivery distance inland. The short, busy lane keeps freight competitive and sailings frequent. Season matters too. A shared container is cheaper but slower because it waits for a full sailing, and a customs broker who handles the strict Chinese clearance is a separate line. Difficult access at a high rise apartment adds a long carry or a shuttle charge.
How long a move from Australia to China really takes.
The short ocean leg makes this a quicker overseas move, but the residence permit and the single import window are what really govern the schedule. Sequence them with care.
Sort the visa and permit
Secure your Chinese work visa, then your residence permit after arrival, because import of household goods is allowed once and within a limited window after you take up residence. This sequencing is the gating step.
Book the move and survey
Arrange a binding pre move survey, ideally by video, so the volume and the quote are accurate. Booking lead time of three to five weeks is typical on this well served lane, longer in summer.
Packing and collection
Professional packing and loading of a typical home takes one to two days, with a precise inventory, since Chinese customs scrutinises the packing list closely. Your goods are then moved to the port.
Sea transit to China
The direct crossing across Asia to a Chinese port usually runs three to five weeks, quicker than a move from Europe, depending on the sailing and whether the container is shared.
Clearance and delivery
Clearance through Chinese customs against your residence permit can take one to several weeks and is detailed, then the goods are delivered to your address, with unpacking once released.
Bringing your household goods into China.
Chinese customs, under the General Administration of Customs, allows a foreigner taking up residence to import used household goods and personal effects, but the regime is strict. Import is generally allowed as a single shipment, lodged within a limited period after you first take up residence, and the importer must hold the appropriate residence permit. A precise, itemised packing list with values is essential, and customs inspects consignments closely.
The documents typically include your passport, your work type residence permit, the detailed inventory, and the bill of lading. Because only one shipment qualifies, you should plan carefully what travels by sea and what you carry, since a second consignment will not usually receive the same treatment. Quantities are expected to match a genuine household rather than commercial volumes.
Several categories are restricted or controlled. Printed matter, films, and other media and publications are screened and certain items are prohibited, so leave anything sensitive behind. New goods and items in commercial quantities can attract duty and value added tax. A vehicle is a separate and difficult import, firearms are banned, and pets require advance arrangements with current vaccination and health certificates.
The visa and residence routes into China, in plain language.
Most people on this corridor move for work, entering on a work visa and converting it to a residence permit after arrival. These are the routes people use most.
The work visa for foreigners with a job offer in China. You apply at a Chinese mission before travel with a work permit notification from your employer, then enter on the Z visa to start the residence permit process.
- Apply
- Before travel
- Leads to
- Residence permit
After entering on the Z visa you convert it, within the set days, into a work type residence permit, which is the document that lets you live and work and that supports your household goods import.
- Convert within
- Set days
- Unlocks
- Goods import
Foreigners must register their place of stay with the local public security bureau shortly after arrival, whether living in a hotel or a private home. It is a routine but important step for legal residence.
- Register with
- Public security bureau
- When
- Shortly after arrival
Spouses and children can join a residence permit holder on a dependent basis, applying for their own residence permits with proof of the family relationship.
- Basis
- Family of a worker
- Result
- Dependent permit
How to choose a mover for this route, with no names attached.
This site never names, ranks, or recommends a moving company. Instead, here is the neutral checklist that separates a safe international mover from a risky one. Apply it to every quote you receive on the Australia to China lane.
Get Moving Quotes for Australia to China.
One short form reaches vetted international movers who run this exact route. No obligation, and no moving company is shown or ranked on this page. You receive quotes to compare on your own terms.
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Questions people ask about this move.
How much does it cost to move from Australia to China?
For a 2 to 3 bedroom home, a shared container typically runs from about 4,000 to 11,500 Australian dollars in 2026, depending on your volume, the Australian port, and the Chinese port that serves your city. A full container costs more. The short, busy lane keeps freight competitive. Base your budget on a binding pre move survey.
Do I pay duty on my household goods when moving to China?
As a foreigner taking up residence, you can usually import used household goods as a single shipment within a limited window after arrival, holding the appropriate residence permit, with a precise inventory. New goods and commercial quantities attract duty and value added tax, and customs inspects closely. Confirm current rules with the General Administration of Customs.
How long does shipping to China take from Australia?
Plan on roughly five to eight weeks door to door, quicker than a move from Europe because there is no Suez Canal leg. The direct crossing across Asia runs three to five weeks, clearance against your residence permit adds one to several weeks, and road delivery finishes the journey. A shared container adds time because it waits for a full sailing.
Is the move from Australia to China faster than from Europe?
Yes. China is one of Australia's closest major shipping partners, so sailings are frequent and the sea leg is shorter, with no Suez Canal transit. That makes transit times quicker and the lane well served, though the strict customs window after arrival still sets the overall pace.
Can I bring my car from Australia to China?
Importing a private vehicle into China is a separate and difficult process with significant duty and approval requirements, and it is not part of the household goods relief. Most people do not attempt it. Price and plan any vehicle on its own and confirm the current rules with Chinese customs before you ship.