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Import From China To Australia: Shipping, Customs And Landed Cost, Sorted
Know what China to Australia shipping will really cost before your goods leave the factory. See how import duty, GST and border charges add up, then talk to our team about getting your goods moving.
What Does It Cost To Import From China To Australia?
Beyond freight, four things decide your bill. Here is the short version.
- Duty: most China-made goods are 0% under ChAFTA with proof of origin. Otherwise the most common rate of 5% usually applies, though it varies by product.
- GST (import tax): 10% of the customs value plus duty plus international freight and insurance. Customs value is generally the FOB value, converted to Australian dollars at the exchange rate for the day of export.
- The A$1,000 line: at A$1,000 or less there is generally no duty or GST at the border. Above it you need a full import declaration.
- Border charges over A$1,000: an import processing charge of A$50 (under A$10,000) or A$152 (A$10,000 and over), plus a biosecurity charge of A$48 by air or A$71 by sea.
For exact figures and details, contact our team.
China To Australia Shipping Options: Sea Freight, Air Freight Or Express?
Pick on volume, urgency and value. Ranges are typical door-to-door times and move with carrier schedules and peak season.
| Option | Door To Door | How It Is Charged | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea FCL | 22 to 40 days | Per 20ft or 40ft container | Full loads and planned stock replenishment |
| Sea LCL | 25 to 45 days | Per cubic metre (or tonne, whichever is greater) | Part loads. As a rule of thumb, compare an FCL quote at about 13 to 15 CBM; the exact point depends on rates and lane |
| Air freight | 5 to 12 days | Per chargeable kg: the greater of actual and volumetric weight (6,000 cm³ = 1 kg) | Urgent, high-value or light goods |
| Express courier | 3 to 6 days | Per kg, door to door | Samples and small orders |
Not sure of your chargeable weight? Use our cubic weight guide before you ask for quotes. Timeframes are indicative. For exact figures and details, contact our team.
How To Import From China To Australia, Step By Step
Five steps from supplier to your shelf. Most delays happen in steps 1 and 3, so start there.
Check The Product Rules
Confirm biosecurity, battery and safety-standard requirements before you pay a deposit. A rejected product costs more than a slow supplier.
Agree The Incoterm
FOB or EXW puts freight and Australian clearance on you. DAP or DDP shifts more to the supplier. Get it in writing.
Get The Paperwork Right
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and proof of origin if you want 0% duty.
Lodge The Declaration
A SAC declaration at A$1,000 or less. A full import declaration (N10) above that, with duty, GST and charges paid before release.
Deliver And Track
Move cleared goods from the port or airport to your door, warehouse or customer with tracking along the way.
Worked Example: The Border Cost Of An A$2,000 Order
A sea shipment of goods with a customs value of A$2,000 and A$200 of international freight and insurance. Here is what ChAFTA proof of origin is worth.
Without Proof Of Origin
With ChAFTA Proof Of Origin
Illustration only. Excludes the freight itself, broker or agent fees, local delivery and any storage. GST-registered businesses can usually claim the GST back. Rates checked against Australian Border Force charges from 1 July 2026; your goods may attract a different duty rate. For exact figures and details, contact our team.
Claiming 0% Import Duty From China Under ChAFTA
The agreement removed tariffs on goods from China, but the saving is not automatic. You have to claim it.
What You Need
Either a ChAFTA Certificate of Origin issued in China, or a Declaration of Origin. A Declaration of Origin only works where the goods are covered by a valid Origin Advance Ruling. With neither, the full duty rate applies.
What To Do Before You Ship
Ask your supplier for the right origin document at order stage, not after the goods have sailed. Check your tariff classification on the DFAT ChAFTA guide or the FTA portal.
Who Pays For What? Incoterms In Plain English
The term on your supplier quote decides who books freight and who clears Australian customs.
| Term | You Handle | Supplier Handles |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | Everything from the factory gate, including China export clearance | Making goods available for pick-up |
| FOB | Sea freight, insurance, Australian clearance and delivery | Delivery to the vessel and China export clearance |
| CIF | Australian clearance, duty, GST and delivery | Sea freight and insurance to the Australian port |
| DDP | Receiving the goods | Freight, clearance, duty and GST. Confirm who is the importer of record |
FOB usually gives importers the most control over freight cost and routing.
Check Before You Buy: Goods That Need Extra Care
These categories cause most holds, inspections and rework at the Australian border.
Biosecurity rules are set by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Check them before you order.
How iSend Fits Into Your China Import
iSend supports Australian businesses that import and sell, from estimating costs to delivering stock. Contact our team to see what fits your shipment.
Duty And GST Estimates
Work out landed cost per shipment before you commit. See customs clearance and our GST on imports guide.
Customs Guidance
Need help understanding declarations, duty, GST or paperwork for your shipment? Ask our team.
Multi-Carrier Delivery
Compare carriers and send cleared stock onward by multi-carrier shipping, pallet shipping or last-mile delivery.
Importing From China: Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions importers ask most.
How Long Does Shipping From China To Australia Take?
Door to door, typical ranges are about 22 to 40 days for a full container by sea, 25 to 45 days for LCL, 5 to 12 days by air freight and 3 to 6 days by express courier. Port-to-port ocean sailings are often 12 to 25 days. Carrier schedules, port congestion and peak seasons can add days, so contact our team for current timeframes.
Do I Pay Import Duty On Goods From China?
Most goods made in China enter Australia at 0% duty under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), but only if you hold a valid Certificate of Origin or a Declaration of Origin backed by a valid Origin Advance Ruling. Without that proof, the most common rate of 5% usually applies, though duty rates vary by product.
How Much GST Do I Pay On Imports From China?
GST, the import tax on goods from China, is 10% of the value of the taxable import: the customs value of the goods, plus any customs duty, plus international freight and insurance. A GST-registered business can usually claim the GST back as a credit. For consumer sales of goods worth A$1,000 or less, the overseas seller or marketplace often collects GST at checkout instead.
Is There A Duty-Free Limit For Imports From China?
Goods with a customs value of A$1,000 or less are generally free of duty and GST at the border and can be cleared with a short-format Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) declaration. Tobacco, tobacco products and alcohol are excluded. Consignments over A$1,000 need a full import declaration (N10) and attract an import processing charge.
What Documents Do I Need To Import From China To Australia?
At minimum you need a commercial invoice, a packing list and a transport document (bill of lading for sea, air waybill for air). Add a ChAFTA Certificate of Origin or valid Declaration of Origin if you want the 0% duty rate, plus any permits or test evidence your product category requires.
Do I Need A Freight Forwarder Or A Customs Broker?
Not always. Goods of A$1,000 or less can be cleared with a SAC declaration, and larger consignments need an import declaration lodged by you or a licensed customs broker. A freight forwarder handles the movement from China. Contact our team to talk through what suits your shipment.
How Do I Ship Goods From China To Australia?
Agree the Incoterm with your supplier, confirm the product rules, then book sea freight, air freight or an express courier from China. Your goods are cleared through Australian customs with the right declaration, and duty, GST and border charges are paid before release. Work out your landed cost before you place the order.
What Is Customs Value And Which Exchange Rate Is Used?
Customs value is generally the Free On Board (FOB) value of the goods, which excludes overseas freight and insurance. Invoices in a foreign currency are converted to Australian dollars using the exchange rate for the day of export, not the day the goods arrive, so currency moves can change your duty and GST.
Do Biosecurity Charges Apply To All Imports From China?
A biosecurity charge applies to full import declarations (consignments over A$1,000), but whether your goods need permits, inspection or treatment depends on the product. Check the BICON database for your goods before you ship.
Should I Choose Sea Freight Or Air Freight From China?
Sea is usually the cheapest way to move volume and suits planned stock replenishment. Air suits urgent, high-value or lightweight goods. Compare quotes using chargeable weight for air (the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight) and cubic metres for LCL, and work out the landed cost, not just the freight rate.
Ready To Import From China With Fewer Surprises?
Create a free iSend account, estimate your duty and GST, and contact our team for exact figures and next steps.
Disclaimer: Figures, rates and timeframes on this page are general and indicative, and they can change. For exact figures and details, contact our team.