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
Besides panda bears, cherry blossoms and dumplings, China also has a booming economy and numerous universities rapidly rising in global rankings. Fast becoming one of the world's most popular student destinations, this ancient East Asian country is rich in culture, history and traditions, and choosing it as your study destination is sure to provide you with an unforgettable adventure and many sought-after skills. Read on to discover how our student shipping services can help make moving overseas to study stree-free and affordable.
Helping Chinese students return home for over 25 years
We understand how busy students are, and worrying about the ins and outs of transporting your personal goods back home to China from Australia is the last thing you want to add to your ever-growing to-do list at the end of term. Instead, our international student shipping services make moving simple, stress-free and affordable.
All you need to do is pack up your goods securely in our super sturdy, purpose-built boxes, which we'll deliver to your door along with free bubble wrap, tape, a packaging knife and a black marker pen (only for our MoveCube® service). Then, fill in our online documentation, including a detailed inventory listing precisely what you're sending and a baggage declaration form. Our expert team of international shippers will do the rest.
Do note that you will need to inform Seven Seas Worldwide of your arrival date in China, as you must be in the country before your items arrive. Upon landing, ensure you declare your unaccompanied baggage by taking the RED Channel at the airport and get your completed "Customs Baggage Declaration Form for Incoming Passengers" form stamped by a customs officer.
Student shipping 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 to China from Australia
From textbooks and reading material to everyday essentials like clothes and bedding, furnishing your dorm with personal items makes adjusting to life in a new country much easier and enables you to focus better on your studies. Our door-to-door international shipping services to China covers all major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tianjin, and takes the worry (and expense!) out of carting boxes and bags through various airports and having to spend an eternity waiting at baggage carousels.
Instead, discover how easy overseas shipping can be with Seven Seas Worldwide. Once you've got your free instant quote, chosen suitable collection and delivery dates and placed your order, we'll send you however many of our purpose-built boxes you require, along with plenty of free packing materials (only with our MoveCube® service) so that you can wrap your goods securely. Next, fill in the following online documentation:
- Inventory for you to record the contents of your shipment.
- Optional insurance to protect your possessions in case a mishap occurs.
- A power of attorney form.
- Customs forms to ensure clearance of your goods into China from Australia.
After that, relax and let us take care of the rest, including communicating with customs officials and delivering the shipment to its destination address. Below we've answered a few common shipping questions students ask us when moving to China from Australia, but don't hesitate to contact our multilingual advisers if you have any other queries.
Frequently asked shipping questions
The most important thing to remember is that you must be present in China when your shipment arrives as you have to declare your unaccompanied baggage. To do this, take the RED Channel at the airport and present your completed "Customs Baggage Declaration Form for Incoming Passengers" for the customs officer to stamp. Then, send this by courier together with a copy of the entry stamp on your passport to the Seven Seas Worldwide Guangzhou Office.
Guangzhou office address:
Company: Seven Seas Worldwide China
Receiver: Kameron Liu
Address: Room 807, Winkong International Plaza, No.577, Jingang Ave, Nansha District, Guangzhou
Postcode: 511458
Contact Number: +86 18664742005
When shipping to China from Australia, you can send your goods either by sea or air. For students on a budget, shipping by sea is the cheapest option, but it will take 64 days to reach your new home. Alternatively, air shipping is quicker, taking 23 days, ideal if you've got a little more to spend, although the exact cost will depend on the weight and size of your shipment.
Plus, using our convenient door-to-door luggage collection and delivery service makes the process much quicker as you don't need to worry about transporting your belongings to a designated drop-off location or collecting them from a faraway depot in China. Instead, we'll collect from your home and deliver straight to your destination.
The Seven Seas Worldwide shipping network covers over 300 cities in China and runs throughout the following areas:
- Haerbin
- Changchun
- Shenyang
- Dalian
- Beijing
- Shijiazhuang
- Tianjin
- Jinan
- Qingdao
- Nanjing
- Wuxi
- Suzhou
- Shanghai
- Ningbo
- Hangzhou
- Fuzhou
- Xiamen
- Guangzhou
- Zhongshan
- Shenzhen
- Foshan
- Dongguan
- Nanning
- Kunming
- Changsha
- Nanchang
- Hefei
- Zhengzhou
- Taiyuan
- Xi'an
- Wuhan
- Chongqing
- Chengdu
The best way to get the most accurate price for shipping to China 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. Also, rather than asking our customers to pay one lump sum in advance of collection, we allow you to pay in three affordable instalments.
If you're a non-Chinese passport holder with a Chinese visa valid for one year or more, you're entitled to duty-free entry to the country as long as you possess a work or residence permit. This tax exemption includes both accompanied and unaccompanied items but excludes goods you've owned for less than six months and books.
However, if you're a Chinese passport holder, you're liable to pay import tax and duties if the value of the shipment exceeds CNY 5000. Also, if you've been living overseas for less than one year, you're not allowed to ship furniture into the country.
Please keep in mind that importing some goods, like golf clubs and TVs, can be very expensive, so do consider whether they're worth packing. Plus, failing to provide your stamped customs declaration form or other documents required by Chinese Customs on time will delay your shipment and disqualify it from tax exemption.
Along with commonly restricted items, such as alcohol, CBD (cannabidiol) and cannabis-derived products, food, pirated goods and weapons or replica weapons, China also has a couple of unique restrictions. These are:
- Milk powder, including dry powder that you mix with water and ready to feed liquid formula.
- Books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records are limited to 50 pieces per type to be imported.
Our Prohibited Goods page contains a comprehensive list of all the items you can't send along with certain service-based restrictions.
How long does shipping to China from Australia take?*
By sea
64 days
By air
23 days
*estimated timings dependent on global shipping circumstances
Top reasons to study in China
After investing substantially in higher education during recent years, China has rapidly moved up in the ranks of top places to study abroad. Plus, from the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to the endless dunes of the Gobi desert, this vast and fascinating country has much to offer, aside from a top-quality degree.
Stunning landscapes and a fascinating cultural heritage:
Fusing ancient history with cutting-edge modernity, China is a country of two halves, and many international students use their holidays to discover its wealth of landmarks, delicacies and customs. There are endless treasures for you to explore, from its seven UNESCO world heritage sites, including the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, to its booming cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
Cheaper tuition fees and living costs:
Accommodation, tuition, food, and travel are much cheaper than in Western countries like the US or Britain, making China incredibly appealing to those on a shoestring budget. However, course fees do vary with each programme, university and location, and tend to increase each year, so make sure you check with the admission department of your chosen institution to find out the exact amount.
Learn Mandarin and communicate with over a billion speakers:
Immersing yourself in the Chinese way of life is an excellent way to master Mandarin, the country's most commonly spoken language. Dating back 6,000 years, it's composed of a complex system of symbols and characters and is one of the world's oldest written dialects. Proficiency in Mandarin is fast becoming an integral part of communicating in technology, business and travel industries and is sure to make you stand out to potential employers.
A booming economy offering plenty of job opportunities:
With many of the world's largest international companies shifting their offices and operations east, studying in China is sure to open plenty of doors. Whether you're looking to get into teaching, tech, engineering, trade or any other of the numerous industries currently prospering in the country, businesses prefer candidates with experience of Chinese culture and local languages, placing you in a good position for employment.
Easy payment methods. Good quality customer services both in China and in Australia. Well organised pick-up and receiving time. Peace of mind.
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Best international universities in China
The teaching for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in China is similar to Australia, apart from undergrad programs typically taking four years to complete rather than three. You'll learn through a series of seminars, lectures, workshops and independent research, and most degrees offer tuition in both Mandarin and English. Keep in mind you will need to obtain a visa to study in China, so ensure you visit your local embassy as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance. Here are some facts and figures about the six best international universities in China to start you off.
Tsinghua University
Situated in the former royal gardens of the Qing Dynasty in northwest Beijing, Tsinghua University is one of China's most prestigious and influential higher education institutions. Although its 57 departments cover a broad range of subjects, including art, literature, social sciences and medicine, the uni is most famed for its engineering and IT programs.
The university also has a reputation for hosting lectures given by globally distinguished speakers, including Tony Blair, Henry Kissinger and Bill Clinton.
World University Rankings: 16th
Percentage of international students: 13%
Undergraduate programs: Tsinghua University offers 78 undergrad courses in various fields, including science, business, engineering, humanities, and law.
Graduate programs: Choose from more than 100 master's degrees and 80 doctoral programs.
Student societies: There are over 110 clubs and associations and lots of extracurricular activities for international students to get involved with, including New Year's parties, visits to historical landmarks and the annual Ma Yuehan Cup, a sports meet where students compete in races, balls games and chess.
Peking University
The first national university in China, Peking University was founded in 1898 and has been a leading higher education and research institution ever since. Generations of prominent entrepreneurs, politicians and innovators have studied there, and the university's grounds are well-known for their stunning traditional Chinese architecture, featuring gardens, pagodas and historical buildings.
World University Rankings: 16th
Percentage of international students: 19%
Undergraduate programs: PKU has 93 undergraduate courses available, covering a broad range of areas, like computer sciences, sociology, law and foreign languages.
Graduate programs: There are also 199 master degree programs to choose from if you decide to continue your studies.
Student societies: With over 200 student organisations and a range of other year-round activities to participate in, there's more than enough to keep you busy on campus outside of your studies.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Enjoying a long history and world-renowned reputation, notable alumni from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University include Qian Xuesen, father of China's space program and former Chinese president Jiang Zemin.
The university comprises several campuses spread out across Shanghai, the country's largest city by population, and boasts a whole host of facilities, such as sizeable sports arenas, high-tech laboratory facilities, bookstores and restaurants.
World University Rankings: 84th
Percentage of international students: 10%
Undergraduate programs: SJTU has 67 undergraduate courses in nine major disciplines, law, literature, economics, engineering, science, art, management and agriculture.
Graduate programs: It also offers a mix of PhDs and master degrees on topics like ecology, physicals and civil engineering.
Student societies: The university hosts a wide range of clubs, activities, volunteer opportunities, and events. Their most famous celebration is the Chinese New Year Lantern Festival, where thousands of people gather to send lit lanterns floating down the Yangtze.
University of Science and Technology of China
Specialising in science and technology and home to one of China's most important national research centres, this university has five campuses, all located in Hefei, the capital of the Anhui Province, which has seen a dramatic expansion over the past decade.
Surrounded by lush green mountains and packed with dense swathes of skyscrapers, Hefei is an innovative city full of vitality and even has a new high-speed train that can reach both Beijing and Shanghai in only a few hours.
World University Rankings: 88th
Percentage of international students: 5%
Undergraduate and graduate programs: The University of Science and Technology's courses cover software engineering, maths, chemistry, space sciences and more.
Student societies: Throw yourself into campus life by joining one of the USTCs many societies, ranging from robotics to ballroom dancing.
Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University's campuses are located in Hangzhou, a city rich in history and natural beauty and one of China's seven ancient capitals. The institution prides itself on fostering a culture of innovation and has significantly invested in research, helping develop technology for clean energy, treatments for infectious diseases and much more.
World University Rankings: 75th
Percentage of international students: 20%
Undergraduate and graduate programs: The university has 133 undergraduate and 334 postgraduate courses available in a range of disciplines, such as history, education, economics and philosophy.
Student societies: ZJU provides regular exhibitions, conferences, film screening and live performances, has over 130 societies for you to join, and there's even an on-site museum full of archaeology treasures.
Nanjing University
A member of the C9 League, a group of leading higher education institutions similar to the US's Ivy League, Nanjing University possesses a beautiful campus and modern research and teaching facilities.
A great option for history lovers, there is no shortage of ancient landmarks to visit in Nanjing, including a number of palaces and temples, the 600-year-old city wall and the scenic Purple Mountain.
World University Rankings: 105th
Percentage of international students: 9%
Undergraduate and graduate programs: The university runs 74 graduate programs and 186 masters in areas like the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering and management.
Student societies: With more than a hundred student organisations available, there's a community for every interest, from coffee appreciation to helping the stray cats that roam the campus.
Other useful information about student shipping to China
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.