Recommendations For Moving Service (Shipping Container) - Vienna to Sydney

LJayphen on 29/09/2023 - 02:23
Last edited 29/09/2023 - 10:21 by 1 other user

Hey everyone. Back in 2016 when I was just a wee sprout, I left our island nation in search of new horizons, foreign women, and better public transport. I found some of those things. I now find myself married, living in Vienna and in the midst of the Kafkaesque process of moving my wife, my dog, my things, and myself back to Sydney.

The topic of this post and the question I am looking to answer is — can anyone recommend a moving service for my things? I have the wife and dog part mostly covered, I think.

I know you will say that I should just sell all of my things and start fresh in Sydney, but at least a few of the things I want to bring have sentimental value — and if I am bringing some of them, I might as well bring all of them. Plus, trying to sell things to people on the Austrian equivalent of Gumtree is just not fun at all. I also feel like I am too old to go through the process of starting again, again. So I don't want to do that.

I have a rough idea of what I want to bring, and I think I will need a shipping container (and not something like a 2.5sq cube).

A rough summary of what I want to bring (total original price of everything I'd want to bring would be around €30k) —
- 2 computer desks, 2 monitors, 2 monitor arms, 2 office chairs, a PC, printer, yadda yadda
- 2 TVs (51" and 34" or something), floor standing speakers, a coffee table and maybe a tv cabinet
- Bed and mattress
- Clothes I guess
- Kitchen stuff like a kitchenaid, a bunch of fancy glasses and cutlery and cast iron pots/woks
- Also some fancy Spanish vases and lamps and things
- Couple of electric bikes
- 6 totally sweet outdoor chairs
- probably heaps of cables

There's more stuff, but you get the idea, it probably won't fit easily in a small shipping container.

I would also like to have the stuff packed for me while I sit there and drink a beer (at both ends). Everything will need to go in to storage on the Australia side, probably for a month while I try to find a rental place.

I'd really appreciate if anyone has been through this and could give a rough idea on the price, how painful it was, any stories would be great.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen aus Wien, Österreich

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

payless69 on 29/09/2023 - 04:19

+1

Nowadays most stuff is no longer worth moving.
Second hans stores are full of junk.
- Jayphen on 29/09/2023 - 05:20
  
  +1
  
  I suppose it depends on how much you value your time, as searching for replacement items is extremely time consuming - as is disposing of/selling items.
- apsilon on 29/09/2023 - 05:52
  
  +4
  
  Yep, you should only bring the things that can't be replaced, have sentimental value etc. Unless it's all very high end and new, or work is covering relocation costs, you'll easily pay as much to transport it all plus the labour you want and then storage at this end as the replacement value and you will have breakages etc that you'll need to replace anyway. Add the inconvenience of having to use adapters for everything electrical, questions on if the bikes are legal (we have speed and power limitations) etc etc etc.
  - Jayphen on 29/09/2023 - 06:55
    
    +3
    
    Yeah, I understand that perspective. I considered not taking anything of course, but I weigh my own time and sanity quite highly in this project, and I know that trying to sell stuff here and then spending months lacking certain things and searching for replacements once arriving will be costly in terms of mental wellbeing.
    
    Have you done the same before? If so, how was your experience rebuilding a home?
    - apsilon on 29/09/2023 - 07:55
      
      Not personally but I've organised a couple that we relocated for work including one that came back again a few years later which is why I know I wouldn't bother. I can't recall the name of the company as it was one we used globally so didn't have a choice and it's been a few years now but it was relatively straight forward. You should also keep in mind that it ships via sea freight which takes time, weeks and more likely months, so you'll be without stuff for a while at both ends. In our case that was simple enough as we simply rent fully furnished houses or apartments but of course that's extra cost again.
      - Jayphen on 29/09/2023 - 08:06
        
        @apsilon: I can’t imagine going through this again in the other direction! Yeah, we’re prepared for the long shipping times - it suits us ok because we will likely spend our last month with the in-laws here anyway. Thanks for the advice.
        
        apsilon on 29/09/2023 - 08:20
        
        @Jayphen: Some people obviously don't mind it (though it probably helps when you're not paying any costs). Same bloke turned around again after 2 years and this time went to the US where they stayed for 3 years before once again coming back. No idea where they are by now.
kerfuffle on 29/09/2023 - 07:03

+2

Do your electrical products even have the same plugs as Australian ones? If not, can't see why you'd be bothered moving them.

Plus the whole (in case of your TVs) will get damaged in transit etc.
- Gunnar on 29/09/2023 - 08:28
  
  As long as voltage is the same it’s a really easy job (and cheap) to change the plug to an AU one for your electronics
- rumblytangara on 29/09/2023 - 10:54
  
  Have you never just replaced the plug on an appliance? It takes about 5 minutes. Replacement plugs are about $3 a Bunnings.
Sterio on 29/09/2023 - 07:07

+2

The cost of bringing the things on your list back would not be worth the cost of the container. Suggest you donate your stuff to the Vinnie’s equivalent in Austria.
sumyungguy on 29/09/2023 - 07:18

Just need to get a quote from a removalist that does international relocations; for example: https://www.crownrelo.com.au/international-moving-quote/
Jayphen on 29/09/2023 - 07:20

+5

Just to clarify again — I wasn't really looking for opinions on whether or not you personally think it is worth the cost.

I've been quoted at around €5000, which I think is more than worth it (I suspect it will be more though).

I am more looking for personal experiences or recommendations of services.
- ESEMCE on 29/09/2023 - 08:06
  
  I doubt that quote includes destination charges?
  Customs clearance and Delivery charges?
  Factor another A$2500 for that, then add Importation Duty (calculated against value of goods plus the cost of Marine Insurance and GST on Import value of the goods)
  (note I'm unsure whether Duty and GST would apply, I'm just assuming it does)
  
  This is why it starts to look unfinancial to import secondhand goods and worth that time/money to just buy when you get here.
  - AustriaBargain on 29/09/2023 - 08:31
    
    Yeah they'll drop it on the port, but OP will have to pay for it to be picked up, moved, and then pay to move it from the port to his home. Then pay to have the container picked back up again from his home. I've never seen a shipping container sitting on a street, so don't know if that's free to organise.
    - Jayphen on 29/09/2023 - 08:35
      
      The quote was door to door but with the volume estimated roughly at 5cbm. I haven’t taken measurements yet
      - boomramada on 29/09/2023 - 08:52
        
        @Jayphen: 5cbm is tiny, based on your list of items, it should be around 20+ cbm
        Just go through a website quote that will roughly tell you the estimated room for your items.
        
        Jayphen on 29/09/2023 - 09:41
        
        @boomramada: You are right, I just looked at a picture of what 5cbm is and it looks very small. I think I need to spend the weekend taking a proper inventory.
      - ESEMCE on 29/09/2023 - 09:41
        
        @Jayphen: OK that makes more sense, but as others have commented, 5cbm isn't going to be enough with the list you have. You'd need double that at least with your current list.
        Each cbm is only a pallet packed 1m high. The 6x outdoor chairs alone will consume more than that.
        The mattress, is probably another 2cbm on it's own, computer desks are going to be at least 1cbm each (assuming small desks).
        Bikes will take another 2cbm
        The rest of the gear you've listed has to be another 2cbm easy.
        
        That's at least 14cbm by my calculation.
        At that point if you're serious about doing this, get a full container (FCL). It'll cost less than LCL with what you have listed, but you wont have to share space with anyone else.
        You would need a space to get the container dropped at both loading and destination though.
  - Jayphen on 29/09/2023 - 08:33
    
    It does include destination charges, but I need to create a more detailed inventory before I can know what the duties/taxes may be or if they apply.
  - rumblytangara on 29/09/2023 - 17:51
    
    (note I'm unsure whether Duty and GST would apply, I'm just assuming it does)
    
    This stuff doesn't apply for someone who is returning to reside in Australia- it's kind of a once in a lifetime event (unless you're some kinda high level globetrotting exec) so no GST or import duties.
    
    In fact, it's a good chance to buy a load of extra stuff if it's cheaper in Europe and ship back. Though I'd be hard pressed to think of anything significantly cheaper in the EU. People moving back from Asia sometimes get custom furniture made.
    
    @Jayphen have to say this again, but that 5K figure doesn't look right, it's too cheap if they are talking about a container. What sort of company is quoting this, and does it cover door to door, or does it turn up at an Australian port somewhere then you have to handle all the paperwork and transport to your home?
    
    If you do go ahead with the idea of shipping, send me a PM and I'll mention a couple of things to pay attention to based purely on my own relocation. The Oz end of the company tried to dick me about and I took them to NCAT successfully, but only because I kept a paper trail and logged a bunch of things during the move.
    - Jayphen on 30/09/2023 - 09:59
      
      Thanks mate, I may take you up on that. We are looking around at some different quotes, but you are right - I think the quotes I got were low mostly because I was a bit too hand-wavy about exactly what I plan to take. The quotes I have received haven’t been for a full container.
- rumblytangara on 29/09/2023 - 11:06
  
  Compared to a year ago and covid logistics problems, that seems damn cheap for EU-Oz.
  
  Any relocation company I have used (including for small and cheap volumes) has sent an assessor around to estimate volume. Or they have websites where you bang in what items you have and gives an estimate.
Hansi on 29/09/2023 - 07:36

I would join a FB group Austrians in Australia or Australians in Austria or so (wow that's confusing…) and look to see if anyone would offer to share a container. I know this happens with other groups from Europe and people catch up, add things to a container and split the cost.

Your other option is to just get quotes (I would look at options in Bratislava as well as it is not far and may be cheaper). Good luck!
- Jayphen on 29/09/2023 - 08:00
  
  Thanks, that’s a great tip - hadn’t thought of sharing a container. You’re right, Bratislava would probably be cheaper but I’d like to have someone come and dismantle things, so would need to have it done here. Thanks for the suggestions
mskeggs on 29/09/2023 - 07:45

When we moved home from the uk, we just got a removalist. We didn’t bring any major furniture. The cost of moving it was more than the cost of buying new stuff in Australia, so we just brought our clothes, a few bits of antique furniture (maybe the equivalent of your outside chairs) and Knick knacks, art, souvenirs etc. we picked up on the way.
We sold our stuff on the local gumtree for peanuts, made one young couple expecting a baby cry with happiness that they could afford cots etc only a few months old for a few quid.
When we got settled back home, we bought new furniture that was nicer than what we left behind, and suited what we wanted in the new place.
- Jayphen on 29/09/2023 - 08:03
  
  Do you recall what the cost was for the stuff you got shipped? I could probably cut down on the furniture items, but some things were wedding gifts and I’d want to hold on to them if possible (eg large tv, kitchenaid, and yeah the outdoor chairs are antiques I won’t find again) and of course there are things I haven’t listed like art and other random pieces that are priceless.
  - mskeggs on 29/09/2023 - 09:26
    
    It was years ago, the baby in my comment is grown up now! From memory a quote for shifting a small house was circa $8000 and the household effects and minor furniture was around $2000.
raraku on 29/09/2023 - 08:10

+5

I did a very similar move and I can share my costs/sizing if that helps. I found it cheaper to get an Australian company to organise it with their EU partner instead of an EU company to arrange it with Australia. I went with Grace / Schmidt in the end.

I relocated from Utrecht NL to Sydney in the height of the COVID lockdowns here in Sydney, our stuff left Utrecht at the end of July 2021 and arrived back into Sydney around October 2021.

Total cost was around $6000 AUD for 12 cubic meters - but I can find my formal cost if you need - it included all inspections and was door to door. I also included insurance (glad I did for a couple of items) but our justification was stuff in Australia is expensive (eg our Ikea couch we moved was 600euro but was $1800 aud)
- Jayphen on 29/09/2023 - 08:25
  
  That seems cheap! Is that the total cost including costs on the Australian side (any holding/import fees)?
  
  I’ve only gotten European quotes so far, but I’ll take a look at organising from the Australia side, thanks.
  - raraku on 29/09/2023 - 08:38
    
    I got a lot of quotes and went with the cheaper ones. That was door to door (or in my case door to storage facility) and the guys in NL packed all my stuff up infront of me. No unboxing at the Australia end but door delivery was part of the deal.
    
    That was inclusive of everything, all fees, customs, inspections, fumigation etc. Maybe it was cheaper because of the major EU port being just down the road - I remember getting quotes ranging from 10k euro down.
    
    Happy to share what I have but I found Grace to be the most responsive and most price effective for me.
    - Jayphen on 29/09/2023 - 08:44
      
      That makes sense - from Vienna a lot of ground needs to be covered before reaching the international port.
      
      I’ll give Grace a try and see what they come back with. Cheers!
ihbh on 29/09/2023 - 08:52

Do you have any Lego or hobbies?
garetz on 29/09/2023 - 09:04

Most of that stuff is not worth shipping, especially the tvs and furniture. Cut down to what you really need to keep and give the rest away to family and friends.
dragonos81 on 29/09/2023 - 09:49

Moved from Germany to Australia in 2010 - 2 x 32kg luggage on the plane, most things were sold before departure.
rumblytangara on 29/09/2023 - 10:55

Don't use the company that I used. I ended up taking them to NCAT.

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/755822

I've spoken to multiple people in the relocation industry who have said to steer clear of Crown as well, but this was more for APAC logistics (which I guess does include Oz).

Secondhand furniture is pretty decent in Sydney, if you're in certain parts of it. I can get why so many people are saying not to ship, but I also agree that after a certain stage in life it's not worth saving money to live like a student or backpacker anymore. Probably coincides with getting past the Ikea furniture stage of life- if you've got really good stuff already, then you will be hard pressed finding good replacements reasonably priced locally- Oz is stupid expensive for some things.

For us (a family) I drew up a quick spreadsheet of replacement costs vs shipping, halfway through creating the sheet it became very obvious that shipping an entire container was still hugely cheaper than buying new here. If I had 12 months to scour the secondhand market, and drive all over the city for bits and pieces, it might have made more sense to buy local. But that doesn't work when moving with a family.

There's more stuff, but you get the idea, it probably won't fit easily in a small shipping container.

All the stuff you list out will get nowhere near filling a small (20') container. Your stuff will be bundled into a container with someone else's boxes. The freight term for this is LCL- Less Than Container Load. What you're describing seems like a third of what our container held.
- ESEMCE on 29/09/2023 - 11:39
  
  Disagree on the volume.
  Half filling a 20' container shipping FCL is just as cheap or cheaper than LCL for the same consigned volume.
  So if you have 14cbm, just fill the floor of the container to minimise movement (and therefore damage) in transit.
  
  1 x assembled Garden chair = 1cbm easy.
  Even disassembled, it's going to be 0.5cbm and there's 6 of them!
  Mattress is 2cbm (assuming Queen/King size)
  Computer desks will be another 1-6cbm depending on size and whether they ship disassembled or not.
  
  If you're not disassembling furntiure, then you'll fill the floor of a 20' easy.
  - rumblytangara on 29/09/2023 - 13:07
    
    +2
    
    Fair enough. He's looking at well over EUR5K for either option though.
    
    My shipping company handled disassembly and reassembly and packed the container like a Jenga puzzle.
  - Jayphen on 30/09/2023 - 10:07
    
    Thanks both for your input.
    
    Yes, those garden chairs are probably not even possible to disassemble and they are rather large. I haven’t measured them, but when I bought them I needed to take 2 trips with my Yaris to get them home. Which isn’t saying much, but they aren’t small.
    
    I think I should probably get a quote for FCL as well as for whatever space I’d need to take the minimum I really need. I’m sure my wife would be happy to fill the FCL with Spanish tiles or Italian shoes.
nige0090 on 29/09/2023 - 15:03

The shipping company will do a walkthrough of your home and calculate the volume of the contents you want to ship and generate a quote, for full container, share container etc as appropriate.

Pay for the professional packers. They are very fast and very good.

If you have the original packaging for expensive HiFi gear etc, prepack those items yourself first.

Insure your stuff for the journey. Things will get damaged.

If your stuff is going to be held in storage at shippers destination warehouse, pay for storage insurance.
We had stuff stolen (all our power tools etc) from the "secure" warehouse, and the insurance we were assured was included, did not actually exist.

Consider shipping a car if it would qualify as a "personal import" and the price differential is good.
- rumblytangara on 29/09/2023 - 15:42
  
  Insure your stuff for the journey. Things will get damaged.
  
  We looked at the figures, looked at the terms, looked at reviews. And realised that insurance made no sense for us.
  
  Off memory, insurance is either on some $ value per volume so you insure loads of worthless crap like old clothes and pays out next to nothing, or you have to make some insanely detailed list of contents. Then there are loads of complaints about the insurance process dragging out forever or not covering proper replacement value.
  
  As we were not shipping specific items with high value (i.e. grand pianos or high end artwork) we skipped insurance and decided to eat the cost of any damages. For our shipment, insurance was something like AUD5K- they could have broken half our computers and the TV and we'd still have been ahead.
  - nige0090 on 29/09/2023 - 17:55
    
    That does sound very expensive and I agree with your logic.
    
    I can't remember what insurance option we used last time. Maybe we had just insured specific items..
    I do recall that when we claimed for a damaged computer and desk, the payout seemed worthwhile compared to the premium.
    But I would not rely on my memory :-)
nige0090 on 29/09/2023 - 17:59

As an aside, we found it very liberating when we lived out of some suitcases for a few months, in a serviced apartment, with the majority of our belongings in storage.
Its surprising how little you miss most of your "stuff" :-)

Recommendations For Moving Service (Shipping Container) - Vienna to Sydney

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