Unfortunately, some shipments are being rerouted due to international tensions in the Red Sea, causing delays. Please read our blog article for more information.
Why choose Seven Seas Worldwide
Purpose-built shipping boxes and materials provided
Enjoy 2 weeks FREE storage before and after shipping
Pick your own dates for shipment delivery and collection
Trusted with your shipments for over 25 years
Spread the cost by paying in three instalments
Don't let the weather put you off — not only is the UK home to ninety world-ranking universities, welcoming over 400,000 international students each year, but the Poms also have a cracking sense of humour and make a mean cuppa tea. For such a small island (Australia's a whopping 32x larger!), it certainly has a big reputation, boasting a long and fascinating history and an eclectic cultural heritage, renowned around the globe. Read on to learn more about how our affordable student shipping services can make transporting your personal belongings overseas simple.
Helping British students return home for over 25 years
For Brits studying in Oz, you probably have enough on your plate triple-checking those all-important final assignments without having to worry about sending your belongings back home once everything's handed in. Luckily, Seven Seas Worldwide's international door-to-door delivery service makes shipping boxes and bags stress-free and affordable.
It's easy — simply pack your goods into the heavy-duty cardboard boxes we provide (along with packing supplies so you can wrap everything securely) and fill in our online documentation. Then, we'll take care of the rest, collecting your shipment on the date chosen by you during the order process, transporting it overseas and seeing it safely through customs.
Do note that to import your used personal effects into the UK tax-free as a returning British passport holder, you must complete a "For Transfer of Residence to the UK" (ToR01) form and submit it online directly to the HMRC before your goods arrive in the country. You can find more information about this application on our UK Customs Advice page or contact our experienced and friendly team for further assistance.
Our international student shipping service in 5 easy steps
Free online quick quote
Our instant quote tool provides a clear, itemised cost with no hidden fees or nasty surprises.
Pick your dates
When placing your order, choose the materials delivery and shipment collection dates that suit you.
Securely pack your items
We deliver your empty shipping boxes or MoveCube®, ready for you to fill.
We collect and ship
Complete the online documentation. Then we'll transport your shipment to its destination.
Delivered to your address
Our team will clear your goods through customs and deliver them safely to your new home.
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Student shipping services: shipping from Australia to the UK
Going off to university, especially if you're studying overseas, should be one of the most exciting times in your life. However, the hassle of dragging numerous suitcases on planes, trains and taxis and having to pay exorbitant excess baggage costs can quickly make the experience incredibly stressful. Instead, let our door-to-door collection and delivery service do the hard work for you.
Once you've got your free instant shipping quote, chosen suitable collection and delivery dates and placed your order using our easy online booking tool, we'll send you as many of our super sturdy boxes as you require and plenty of free packing materials, including tape, bubble wrap, a black marker pen and more (only available with our MoveCube®). Then, complete the following quick and easy online documentation:
- Inventory for you to record the contents of your shipment.
- Optional insurance to protect your possessions in case a mishap occurs.
- Customs forms to ensure clearance of your goods into the UK from Australia.
Finally, we collect the shipment from your address and transport it safely and securely to your university dorms, allowing you to look forward to your move and enjoy saying your goodbyes. Below we've answered a few common questions students ask us when shipping from Australia to the UK, but don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any other queries.
Frequently asked shipping questions
After you've completed the steps mentioned above, Seven Seas Worldwide will do the rest. However, you can still keep an eye on your shipment using our online tracking tool to check on its travels, and if your plans change mid-transit, we'll either securely store your goods, return them to you or ship to an alternative destination in our network.
When shipping from Australia to the UK, you can send your personal effects either by ship or air. If you're on a tight budget, sea shipping is the cheapest option, but it will take 75 days to reach your destination. Alternatively, air shipping costs a little more yet takes only ten days — perfect if you need your goods in a hurry.
We can ship to any address in the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and also offer two weeks of free storage, either side to give you enough time to safely arrive in your new home.
The best way to get the most accurate price for shipping to the UK is to fill out our free instant shipping quote form. It's quick and easy to submit and will give you a clear breakdown of the costs involved, so rest assured, you won't be hit with any nasty surprises once you've placed your order.
Plus, we'll never ask you to pay one lump sum in advance of collection. Instead, we make things even simpler by allowing our customers to spread the cost and pay in two or three cost-effective instalments.
Although international students attending universities in the UK don't need to complete the ToR01 form to import their personal goods duty-free, you must meet the following criteria:
- be attending a school, college or university for a period of full-time study of at least 12 months
- include your course details and a copy of your offer letter from the education provider with your application
- only bring belongings to wear, furnish your room or use for your studies
This tax relief doesn't apply to:
- commercial vehicles
- articles for use in a trade or profession, other than portable instruments of the applied or liberal arts
- goods you haven't possessed or used in the last six months
Please see our UK Customs Advice page for more information.
Certain items are prohibited for you to ship to the UK from Australia for security and customs purposes. These include:
- Alcohol
- CBD (cannabidiol) and cannabis-derived products
- E-cigarettes, vape pens, vapour cigarettes
- Food items and drinks
- Counterfeit or pirated goods
- Weapons, replica weapons
Our Prohibited Goods page contains a comprehensive list of all the items you can't send along with specific service-based restrictions.
How long does shipping to the UK from Australia take?*
By sea
75 days
By air
10 days
*estimated timings dependent on global shipping circumstances
Top reasons to study in the UK
Steeped in history, bursting with rustic beauty and packed full of pubs, Britain truly has something for everyone. And, to ensure you get the most out of your educational experience, the country also offers students a whole array of perks, including free NHS healthcare after six months, cheaper travel and discounts on food, clothing, entertainment and school supplies. If all that's still not enough to convince you, here are four more reasons you should consider studying in the UK:
Stay and work in the UK after completing your studies:
Through the UK's Graduate Route, international students who complete their degree can stay in the country and gain work experience for two years or three if they've finished a PhD. Plus, to help you earn a little extra beer money, you can work for up to 20 hours a week during term time and for an unlimited number of hours during the holidays.
It's a quick hop over the pond to mainland Europe:
If you're keen to explore the multitude of exciting countries Europe has to offer, getting there using the UK's quick and affordable transport links is easy. If you fly from London, you can reach Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and countless other must-visit cities in under two hours, ideal for a weekend getaway or if you're planning to explore the continent for longer during summer breaks.
Join some of the most respected universities in the world:
Not only do four British universities often feature in the top ten world rankings, but the UK is also a research heavyweight, producing around 15% of the world's most frequently cited scientific papers. From discovering DNA to building the first working computer, studying in this country gives students a brilliant opportunity to collaborate with many leading academics across a wide array of fields.
Discover four countries (and four unique cultures) in one:
It's not just the accents that make England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland different from each other. All four also have their own unique history and customs, and they're fiercely proud of them! Whether you fancy fish 'n' chips at the seaside, seeing the awesome Giants Causeway, attempting to say the world's longest place name or playing a spot of golf up North, cheap travel for students gives you a great chance to explore each one.
Seven Seas Worldwide made it so easy and hassle-free for me to ship my belongings from Australia to the UK. From the gentleman helping us load the MoveCube® in Australia to the gentleman helping unload in the UK, the process was simple and their workers are so helpful. Seven Seas help you through the process step by step, and I would highly recommend them. I would just like to stress again how helpful the workers were.
Gordon Knox
What are the best universities in the UK?
To help students develop critical thinking, creativity and confidence, tutors at British universities combine lively lectures and seminars with practical projects to teach their degrees. Unlike many Western countries like Australia or the US, the UK's grading system uses honours to show how well you've performed. The highest is first-class honours, typically 70% or above, and the lowest is a pass, 40% or under. Here are some more helpful facts about six of the best universities in the UK.
University of Oxford
Having produced over 120 Olympic medallists, 50 Nobel prize winners, 30 world leaders and 27 British prime ministers, including famous alumni like Stephen Hawking, Hugh Grant and Indira Gandhi, it's clear why the University of Oxford is the best in the world.
It's also one of the oldest, dating back to 1096! However, Oxford itself has the youngest population of any city in the UK (nearly a quarter of its residents are students), giving the place a real vibrancy.
World University Rankings: 1st
Percentage of international students: 42%
Undergraduate programs: UoO offers many prestigious undergrad courses, covering a range of subjects, including history, science, law, medicine and more.
Graduate programs: the university also has +350 graduate courses and more open in new areas every year.
Student societies: whether you want to write for the student paper, row in the uni's boat club or perform at their open mic nights, Oxford has over 400 clubs and societies to keep you busy outside of your studies.
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge also has its own fair share of notable alumni, such as biologist Charles Darwin, environmental broadcaster David Attenborough and actress Olivia Colman, and a reputation equally prestigious as Oxford.
The university's campus is home to numerous libraries containing an extensive collection of medieval manuscripts, nine museums and a botanical garden.
World University Rankings: 5th
Percentage of international students: 39%
Undergraduate programs: although most renowned for its mathematics course, the UoC offers 30 undergraduate degrees in total across more than 65 subjects.
Graduate programs: the university also has over 300 postgrad courses available to those who wish to continue their studies.
Student societies: there are hundreds of organisations for you to get involved with, no matter if you want just to have a go or become semi-professional in a particular area.
Imperial College London
Consistently ranked among the best universities for science, technology, engineering, medicine and business, Imperial College London is located in South Kensington, one of the city's most prosperous neighbourhoods.
The institution also has an incredibly international student cohort made up of more than 125 nationalities, so you're sure to be greeted with a warm welcome.
World University Rankings: 12th
Percentage of international students: 59%
Undergraduate programs: choose from over a hundred undergrad courses in topics ranging from aeronautics to geophysics.
Graduate programs: ICL also benefits from 250+ postgrad degrees and research qualifications.
Student societies: from Harry Potter to hip-hop, find like-minded individuals by joining a few of the university's 340 clubs and organisations.
University College London
The first higher-education institution in England to admit students irrespective of their class, race or religion, and also one of the first to accept women on equal terms with men, University College London has a history of breaking boundaries.
Situated in the heart of the capital, UCL also has three public museums curating such treasures as a jar of moles and dodo bones.
World University Rankings: 18th
Percentage of international students: 59%
Undergraduate programs: choose from over 400 undergrad degrees covering arts and humanities, medical sciences, education, engineering and more.
Graduate programs: there are also more than 675 postgrad courses.
Student societies: with 250+ sport, art and political clubs to join, you're sure to discover a new passion.
London School of Economics and Political Science
One of the foremost social science universities in the world, the London School of Economics and Political Science's campus sits in the Clare Market area of the city, close to the British Museum, Covent Garden and many other famous tourist sights.
This institution also regularly hosts lectures held by influential outside speakers and leading academics — in the past, this has included Bill Gates, Helen Clark and Bill Clinton.
World University Rankings: 27th
Percentage of international students: 72%
Undergraduate programs: choose from over forty undergrad degrees in topics like law, economics, history, philosophy and politics.
Graduate programs: LSE also has over 140 taught and research-focused postgrad courses.
Student societies: sports, culture, media, music, art and volunteering are all covered in the university's 200+ student-run organisations.
University of Edinburgh
One of the UK's seven ancient educational institutions, the University of Edinburgh is located in the historic heart of Scotland's capital, home to an iconic castle, famous volcanic rock and the largest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe.
The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine is the university's most esteemed faculty, and it was there the first mammal cloned from an adult cell, Dolly the sheep, was created.
World University Rankings: 30th
Percentage of international students: 44%
Undergraduate and graduate programs: UoE offers hundreds of undergraduate and postgrad courses across their three faculties, the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine and the College of Science and Engineering.
Student societies: Acappella, trampolining and yoga are just a selection of the university's more than 320 societies for students to join.
Other useful information about student shipping to the UK
Student storage
As one of the top student storage companies, trusted for over 25 years, we make moving overseas simple and affordable.
Prohibitive goods
Before packing, check this list of items prohibited from entering a particular country or region.
Insurance
If you’re shipping your prized possessions with us, it will be worth you having a quick look at the insurance packages we offer.
Shipping terms glossary
This jargon-busting page provides definitions of common shipping and delivery terms such as personal effects and transit times.