US most expensive place to ship household goods

Just had a guy round last week to see how much it will cost to repatriate our life and household goods to Dallas, Tx. Turns out, it would be cheaper for us to move to Australia or New Zealand (3500 GBP) than the US (5-6000GBP)!!! Apparently, the shipping lines have a monopoly or something like it on the lines to America and figure that if you are moving to the US, you must be filthy rich or something. So, DH and I have to decide, do we take as much as we can (we qualify for a full container but have not filled it) or do we pare down and only take essentials to really cut down cost. I am in favour of paring down to save money and buy all new furniture in the US. I would rather spend shipping money on new furniture than storing and hauling our things here in the house.

I'd sell everything here and use the money to buy new stuff in the US. 

Where on earth did you get those high fees from?  Is it for shipping everything you own?  I would just do what we are doing and that is ship what is important to you only!  Plus with the good exchange rate now you can buy most things cheaper!

I wasn't even thinking of shipping my stuff since I know the costs would be just too much.  If I added all my stuff it will be more than the cost of shipping.  Although my attempts at selling my stuff isn't going well.  I might just have to give most of it away.

it's b/c we have furniture that we still owe money on or stuff that we just bought last year and hate to sell or give away. It costs that much for a full container using a shipping company and service that will pack and move it all for you, door to door. They pack it specifically for all the movement you get on those ships.