So one of the big questions after you've lived in Canada or any country after a while is "How am I going to get all this stuff home?!"
Typically, you have three choices:
- Dump & run - get rid of anything excessive and just take minimal stuff home.
- Airline excess baggage - work out how much it will cost you to fly with a couple of extra bags and it may be worth it, depending on the airline you're flying with. Be careful though, If you're flying with multiple airlines, then you may be up for multiple excess luggage charges, plus wrestling it through the airport!
- Shipping stuff through an international shipping agency.
Each option has it's upside, but when you've been in a country living for a while, shipping stuff back to Australia starts to sound more and more realistic... for example, all the nice knick-knacks you've gathered and even just day to day apartment furnishings you've become attached to.
We contacted Astra International, a friendly shipper in Vancouver, to ask for ball park rates for those of you considering shipping gear back to, and here's what they said - keep in mind these are ball park figures and definitely not quotes, ask them for rates directly when you come to it (and use the CanAussie deal below!):
Based on 40 (eg, two 2ft x 2ft x 5ft bags weighing 20kg each) cubic feet shipping charges to Australia currently would be $400.00 terminal to terminal (IN BOND dockside only) to base ports (Sydney, N.S.W., Brisbane, Melbourne) “ALL IN (terminal charges, port charges, security, customs export documentation, security and currency and fuel surcharges)”. This quote is good for 60 days only and expires August 17, 2010. By the way, this would not constitute a minimum! The minimum charge is $250.00 ‘all in’ for up to 10 cubic feet.
Marine insurance is 2% on declared value (a value MUST be declared for both customs authorities!) with a minimum of $35.00. Other charges may apply (pick up, destination services, etc.).
An example of these other charges are what it will cost you to get your stuff from the depot at the other end of the boat ride:
"ALL IN” destination charges from base ports to inland destinations currently apply for baggage of 40 cubic feet only:
Hand-over at terminal: CA$185.00
Delivered within 30 miles of destination terminal: CA$250.00
Delivered within 100 miles of destination terminal: CA$300.00
Delivered within 200 miles of destination terminal: CA$400.00
Delivered within 400 miles of destination terminal: CA$490.00
Beyond 400 miles on inquiry only.
Note: Baggage rates are flat to door without unpacking, unwrapping, set up or removal of debris and can be delivered by a single delivery driver unassisted (weight restrictions!) and has regular access not above 2nd floor. Rates do not cover possible Australian customs investigations and/or quarantine inspection charges, which are – if applicable (depending on Australian customs officer) – usually paid at destination.
Minimum hand-over is $120.00 currently.
All rates depend on current tariffs and conditions and are subject to change with or without notice depending on circumstances.
An extra note on baggage weights
All ocean freight shipping rates are based on weight or measure on a ratio of 1 kilo ton to 1 cubic meter. Unless the commodity is heavy (metal), the cube is usually the charge basis. This is particularly true of personal effects/household goods, though there are exceptions if somebody is shipping particularly heavy items (metal tools etc.). So your bags could weigh a lot more before they would qualify for weight base charging.
There you go! On top of the above, Astra International has also offered a special CanAussie deal where if you email them on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it citing CanAussie.com, they will take 5% off your quote. How good is that?!
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