Importing goods and customs clearance in Australia

If you want to ship your goods to Australia then you have to get them through customs and formally import them. This article describes a number of important aspects.

Please note that if you need help, there are various parties available to support you.

Shipping your products

If you sell physical products, you need to get them delivered into Australia. Depending on the country you are in, this may be a challenge.

First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150.

There may also be non-financial bariers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.

VAlidate the HS-codes you use for shipping

Almost every country or trade block in the world has its own detailing on the international HS-code list. With our report you strongly reduce the risk on misclassifications, delays and higher custom duties than expected.

Tell us what you want to ship and where to and we ask you all relevant questions to get to the most likely code.

Importing goods

Australia’s customs system is managed by the Australian Border Force (ABF), which oversees the clearance of goods and collection of duties and taxes. Importers must comply with Australian biosecurity laws, managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). For detailed guidance, visit the Australian Border Force – Importing.

General Import Process

Customs Declaration
- Lodge an import declaration via the Integrated Cargo System (ICS).
- Required documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and certificates/licenses if applicable.
Import Duties and GST
- Import duty: Ranges from 0-10%, depending on the product and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) applicability.
- GST (Goods and Services Tax):
  - Standard rate: 10%.
  - Applies to the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value plus duty.
Biosecurity and Non-Financial Requirements
- Certain goods, such as food, plants, and wood products, must meet strict biosecurity standards.
- Use the Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system to verify requirements for specific goods.
Inspection and Clearance
- Goods may be inspected for compliance with customs and biosecurity standards.
- Processing time is typically 1-3 business days if all documents are accurate.
Release of Goods
- Once cleared, goods can be delivered locally or stored in bonded warehouses.

Service Providers for Assistance

DHL Australia – dhl.com
Toll Group – tollgroup.com
Kuehne+Nagel Australia – kuehne-nagel.com
Sadleirs Logistics – sadleirs.com.au
Mainfreight Australia – mainfreight.com

Importing Small Parcels

Australia is served by couriers like DHL, UPS, FedEx, and Australia Post. Typical costs for a 2kg parcel:

From the USA: AUD 30-70 for economy shipping.
From China: AUD 20-50 for economy shipping.

Express shipping options (2-5 days) are available at higher costs. Rates vary depending on the courier, destination, and urgency. Confirm with providers for accurate quotes.

Convince foreign distributors with numbers, not with stories

Alfred Griffioen, founder of Exporteers

In the past 15 years me and my colleagues have approached hundreds of agents, distributors, importers and retailers worldwide for brand owners aiming to sell their products abroad. In 2012 a call was enough to get a meeting. Today, you first have to send your pitch — and then hope that someone will answer.

The distributors needed to reach your clients already work with your competitors. They have invested in marketing, stock and sales, and they are making money. Asking them to switch to you means asking them to start all over again.

My experience is that if you only send a website or product catalogue, answers are rare. Numbers make the difference. Show expected volumes, margins, sales effort and investment. Show that there is a business case for them, not just for you.

Frequently asked questions

How to find an importer in Australia for your product?

The best way to find an importer in Australia is to understand the sales channel for your product, and what parties are involved. Then find the right importers or wholesalers at the beginning of that chain. Before starting to push your product, approach a number of them to ask what they need. This way you can position your product better before you reach out to a broader group.

How to find a web shop for your product in Australia?

First check whether your product normally is sold through web shops in Australia or that other distribution structures are more common. Then determine the characteristics of your ideal web shop, and find a number of these, or outsource this search. When you approach the first few, you will learn what they find important and who your competitors are.

How to convince an importer in Australia to work with you?

As in any country, convincing an importer or wholesaler to put your product in his assortment is difficult. Importers in Australia look at the rotation of the product, how easy and often they can sell it, and multiply this with the margin they can make on it. The result should be higher than they earn now from any competing product. Only if you have proper sales data, for example from other countries, they will engage in a discussion with you.