Shipping Cost from San Diego, California to Sydney

The cost to ship a car from the USA to Australia ranges between $2,150 and $2,250, including asbestos testing. Additional costs include destination charges (approximately 1600 AUD), import duties (10% for cars under 30 years), 10% GST, and optional cargo protection.

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, the cost difference shrinks, and shipping often becomes more cost-effective when factoring in gas, food, lodging, wear-and-tear, and time, making it worth paying a carrier to avoid the hassle and expense of a long solo trip, though driving saves on carrier fees but adds travel time and costs.

It's often cheaper to ship a car by train, especially for long distances on specific routes like Amtrak's Auto Train (DC to Florida), offering enclosed protection for potentially less than an open truck carrier; however, for general cross-country moves not on Amtrak routes, truck (open carrier) is usually the most economical, though trains offer better protection and environmental benefits if available.