Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth sending my household goods to Australia?

Yes, it is worth sending your household goods and personal effects to Australia. We’re not just saying that because we’re in the moving business.

For starters, you will be quite surprised at how inexpensive it actually is. As pricing is volume based, the more you take the less you pay. In many instances it’s cheaper than moving long distance within NZ. We recommend you look at the big picture. If you sell up before you leave it’s unlikely you will get anything close to the cost of replacement in Australia. Then there’s the sentimental attachment we have to many our personal effects, they aren’t just things they are our memories and part of who we are.

If you’re still not convinced, we recommend you ask Ausmove to tailor an option that works for you. Maybe you take out some big items and let us price the rest of the shipment accordingly.

Where is Ausmove based, do you cover all of NZ?

Ausmove is based in Auckland. We are situated in Pavilion Drive, very close to Auckland airport. From here we have quick access to all major airlines and shipping services.

Our modern offices are attached to a large warehouse, housing hundreds of purpose-built wooden storage modules and indoor shipping containers. It is also a customs licensed and MPI approved transitional facility. From here we also clear, store and deliver shipments arriving into Auckland from all parts of Australia. While we are Auckland based, we do service the whole upper North Island and other parts of NZ.

Is Ausmove a budget mover, what do you charge?

In comparison to other international movers, we are inexpensive but not a cheap or budget mover.

We have a hard-earned reputation for the quality of our service, fair pricing, and fast transit times. Having high volumes enables us to negotiate with shippers and airlines to keep the price down. Our frequency of service can also take weeks off the transit time for our customers. This means less cost and inconvenience. As a specialist mover to Australia, we have perfected our processes and operate to strict productivity guidelines. These factors allow us to pass on additional savings to our customers.

Our Australian service partners are hand selected. Each is regularly visited by Ausmove management and either meet or exceeded our criteria for pricing, customer service and quality.

Is your service door to door and are all costs included?

Yes, our standard service is door to door, although we also have options for door to door via a period in storage, in either NZ or Australia. In tandem with our service partners, we provide a seamless service that includes all standard customs and quarantine clearances and delivery to your new home in Australia.

Our service partners place items in the correct rooms, unpack to a flat surface and clear any left-over packing materials, as long as this is part of the same delivery journey. While there are no hidden costs it’s very important you read up on the rules and regulations around importing goods into Australia. Our staff will provide you with all the information you need for a successful door-to-door service, and check that you’ve completed the correct documentation. If you haven’t followed the regulations your goods may be subject to unexpected additional costs and delays.

For more information visit the website for Australian Department of Water and the environment.

Do I really need to take out marine transit insurance protection?

We know that many of our customers are concerned about the cost and need for taking out insurance protection for their international move to Australia. We consider this a necessity rather than a ‘nice to have’ The reason marine insurance seems expensive is because of the risks, not because we’re careless or excessively profiting from your premium.

These risks include damage due to extreme weather events, container movement during transit, container handling or vehicle accidents and other unforeseen circumstances leading to loss. It is a one-off cost, and not a recurring cost like your health, income, property, and motor vehicle insurance costs.

At the end of the day, we recommend you take out insurance because we want to sleep well at night, knowing that your personal effects are fully protected.

What is the transit time for my relocation to Australia?

There are lots of factors influencing door to door transit times, these can include changes to shipping schedules, port delays, backlogs during holiday periods and industrial action in Australia.

Here are some guidelines that allow for delays in Australian customs and quarantine clearances. They include the full transit time from the arrival of our packers in NZ to delivery day across the Tasman.

 Sole use container shipment

Generally 4-6 weeks but longer for Perth bound shipments.

 Groupage or shared container shipment

Depending on freight availability allow 6-8 weeks. In most instances Ausmove can give you a sailing date, as we have a lot of volume.

 Airfreight Shipment

This is the fastest option and usually takes up to 2 weeks.