If you are sending items to The USA which have been packed by yourself “owner packed” then they will attract more stringent inspection by the USA Customs on arrival.
Providing a detailed carton by carton moving inventory will assist the USA Customs in inspecting your effects and may avoid unnecessary delays. It is advisable to have your goods packed by your moving company if you are looking at sending larger consignments to ensure the clearance process can be conducted with a minimum of fuss.
Moving living things across the world always comes with a unique set of logistical challenges. In most cases, it’s recommended to send your pet through a registered pet transportation agent who will be able to contact all the relevant agencies in the USA.
Moving motor vehicles and motorbikes to the United States is possible provided Customs criteria are met. The exact timeline, however, will vary depending on where you’re moving, with shipments to America’s West Coast most likely to take the shortest journey.
Car shipping services to the USA usually go from depot to depot, meaning the motor vehicle will be collected by you from a partner depot in America following customs clearance. Customs may require evidence that the owner of the vehicle has lived abroad for 12 months or longer. A copy of your passport with a date stamp showing arrival in the USA, or a copy of a lease or rental agreement in the U.S., would be sufficient.
When moving your household goods to the USA by sea freight, this will typically take 10 – 12 weeks for an FCL service. For services such as LCL and shared container services (i.e. groupage), these will take longer to reach your destination as your goods will need to be consolidated with other consignments heading to the same destination. Please discuss these options & shipping times with your removal consultant, as shipping times will vary greatly for each destination when using this type of service over an FCL service.
Moving a boat to the United States has similar requirements to moving a car when it comes to registration requirements and process.
Customs and Quarantine in the USA will have a special interest in the boat due to its exposure to marine life, however as Australia has a fairly clean marine environment, your boat should pass customs and quarantine without any problem.
OSS offers a full range of moving insurance options depending on your needs.
Although your shipment to the USA will be packed to export standards (designed to withstand the longest journey), the small cost of insurance gives you complete peace of mind with regard to the exposure and rigours that are always inherent when moving from one side of the world to the other.
Ask us about MoveCover, our Marine Transit Insurance product.
When shipping from Australia to the United States, it’s important to consider import taxes, duties, and other fees. Goods valued over $800 are generally subject to duties, with rates ranging from 0–37.5%, though the typical rate is 5.63%. The Australia Free Trade Agreement (AUFTA) allows most goods shipping from Australia to America to be duty-free, significantly reducing costs. Personal exemptions may also apply, with goods from certain regions, being duty-free up to $1,600.
In addition to duties, other fees such as the Federal Excise Tax, user fees, the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF), and the Harbour Maintenance Fee (HMF) might apply. Understanding these regulations ensures a smoother process when you ship from Australia to the USA, allowing you to manage costs effectively and avoid surprises.
When looking to relocate to the USA you will need to consider the extensive list of restricted and prohibited items. The following PDF is an extensive list of all prohibited and restricted items when moving to the USA.
For USA there are two associated plug types, types A and B. Plug type A is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and plug type B is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. USA operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz.
Get a fast and transparent international shipping quote with full breakdowns by contacting our friendly shipping specialists.
When finalising your shipping, choose your dates, packing materials and delivery locations that suit you.
Our specialist packing team helps pack and load your items professionally so they aren't delayed by customs.
Once your items are packed and the online documents are filled out, your items are shipped overseas to your destination.
When your items land in the destination country and cleared by customs, they are delivered to your nominated address.
Selecting a reliable shipping company is essential to ensuring your items are handled with care and arrive safely at their destination. OSS has a strong reputation for shipping to America. Our experienced team offers comprehensive services, including packing, customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery which takes the stress out of the shipping process.
We believe strongly in transparent pricing. You will receive a detailed quote upfront helping you understand the costs, including shipping fees, insurance, and customs charges. This ensures there are no surprises along the way when shipping from Australia to the United States.
As a main player on the world stage, the United States is constantly under the global media spotlight. From its vast plains, snow-covered mountains, deep forests and strange rock formations, to soaring skyscrapers and a thunderous cultural scene, the United States is a collage of extremes.
Marvel at the thunderous spectacle of the 12,000-year-old Niagara Falls in northern New York, or seek an antidote to urban chaos amidst the flat farmland of the Midwest. There are also the black hills of South Dakota, the dramatic mountain and ocean landscape of California’s Pacific Coast Highway and, of course, the world-famous Grand Canyon, just one of the 397 National Parks in the country. All 50 states are scattered with gasp-worthy natural wonders.
It’s not just the range of landscapes that have attracted so many to the United States. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of Manhattan’s unforgettable skyline, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz or the neon-lit excesses of Las Vegas. While New York City is the most densely populated with soaring skyscrapers, including the iconic Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, other cities have admirable architecture as well, like Chicago’s Willis Tower or the monuments of the nation’s capital in Washington DC.
The USA is also the unrivalled entertainment capital of the world, bursting with theme parks, sports venues, and theatres. The turquoise waves of surf capital California and ski resorts of the snow-cloaked Rocky Mountains in Colorado provide ample excuses for adrenaline junkies to explore, whilst the palm-lined beaches of laid-back Miami and sweeping Oklahoma prairies offer true relaxation.
Goods valued over $800 are usually subject to import taxes and duties, with rates ranging from 0% to 37.5% and an average rate of 5.63%. E-commerce purchases exceeding the import tax threshold often incur a flat 3% rate. However, under the Australia Free Trade Agreement (AUFTA), most goods shipped from Australia are duty-free.
Delivery times depend on the shipping method:
• Air Freight: 1 to 5 days
• Sea Freight: 18 to 36 days for Full Container Load (FCL); 22 to 41 days for Less than Container Load (LCL)
These times may vary based on customs clearance and the specific origin and destination ports.
Prohibited items include alcoholic beverages, firearms, perishable goods, and certain animal products. Batteries and devices containing them, such as laptops and mobile phones, are also prohibited via International Courier. For a comprehensive list, check with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Your items should be professionally packed to avoid issues when shipping into America.
The OSS team uses sturdy boxes with sufficient cushioning, such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Fragile items are individually wrapped, and double-boxing can provide extra protection. Our team clearly labels the package with the recipient’s address and includes all necessary customs documentation to avoid delays.
In addition to import taxes and duties, shipments may incur fees such as the Federal Excise Tax, Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF), and Harbour Maintenance Fee (HMF). These depend on the nature and value of the goods being shipped.
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