If you are preparing to move to Australia from New Zealand, you may be wondering whether it is better to ship your furniture and belongings or sell them prior to the move. At Allied Moving Services, we've helped thousands of Kiwis successfully make the move to Australia. Using our experience and expertise, we break down the conundrum of whether you should sell your furniture or ship it to Australia in this blog article.
Types of furniture to sell before moving
If you are looking to sell some furniture before you move, you need to ensure that you no longer need it or can easily replace it once you have relocated to Australia. It’s also recommended that you research the cost of living in Australia and the price difference of certain items before deciding to sell anything, as occasionally some items may be cheaper in New Zealand than in Australia.
Common items that people may replace after moving can include dining tables and chairs, sporting equipment and soft furnishings like pillows, blankets and linens. It’s also worthwhile selling and repurchasing many basic household items and whitegoods such as microwaves, televisions and washing machines. If you don’t have any specialised or expensive cooking equipment, such as pots and pans, it may also be worth selling these items and replacing them once you’ve moved into your new home. If there is anything you “might” use, it’s beneficial to sell now and then replace later.
There are also items that are not legally allowed to enter Australia or need to be declared on arrival, such as plants and seeds, feathers (including in doonas and pillows), and fur, leather hides and animal skins (including rugs and clothing).
Types of furniture to ship rather than sell
As moving to Australia on a budget can already be tricky, you want to ensure that it is financially beneficial to ship or sell your furniture. Sometimes, it can be worthwhile to sell certain furniture items in New Zealand and then purchase new items once you arrive in Australia.
Bedroom furniture and personal items are a great example of this, as they are things you will need to use as soon as you relocate to Australia and can be relatively expensive to completely replace. Examples include a mattress and bedframe, makeup and other beauty products, books, records, and other collectables, and art and photos. You will also have items and home decor which are worthwhile shipping to Australia as they remind you of home.
Another example may be a heirloom grandfather clock. As this has sentimental value and cannot be easily replaced, it’d be worthwhile shipping to Australia. However, a second-hand couch which you aren’t particularly fond of and can be replaced, is best sold or given away before you relocate.
Storage options for shipping furniture from NZ to Australia
If you’re unsure about whether you want to ship your furniture or belongings to Australia, you can choose to use a storage service. Allied Moving Services offers secure storage in our purpose-built storage facilities across both New Zealand and Australia. We can also ship and deliver your stored belongings and furniture to your new home in Australia when you require them.
Get a free quote on shipping furniture and household items to Australia from New Zealand with Allied
If you have decided to ship your furniture and household items to Australia from New Zealand, you may be wondering how much it will cost. The exact price will depend on the amount of furniture and items you are moving, where you are moving from in New Zealand, and where in Australia you are moving to.
We recommend receiving a quote from a moving company. Receiving a quote which is specific to your move is important as it will give you the best understanding of how much shipping your belongings will cost. You will also need to factor in any additional services you may receive to move your items like professional packing and insurance.
You can easily receive a quote on shipping your belongings and furniture to Australia and book your move to Australia with Allied Moving Services today!