Importing from China to Australia: Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses

Every year, thousands of Australian businesses source products from China, from small e-commerce stores to large distributors. It’s an affordable way to scale, but for many importers, the process can be confusing. Between comparing freight options, managing paperwork, and understanding taxes, it’s easy to make mistakes.

A small business owner recently shared how they spent more time trying to understand customs charges than choosing the products they wanted to sell. Many importers who ship from China to Australia know that same frustration when comparing air and sea freight costs or figuring out what documents customs authorities actually require.

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How to Import from China to Australia

Importing from China to Australia involves a sequence of concrete steps. Below is a clear overview before we dig into each stage:

1. Find and verify a supplier in China: Check business registration, request samples, and confirm export licences.
2. Choose your freight method: Compare air and sea freight based on cost, speed, and shipment size.
3. Understand import taxes: Learn how duty and GST apply once your shipment value exceeds AUD $1,000.
4. Prepare documentation: Keep your invoice, packing list, and Bill of Lading accurate and consistent.
5. Clear customs: Your freight forwarder can lodge import declarations and resolve inspection holds.
6. Track your shipment: Stay updated through arrival, customs clearance, and final delivery across Australia.

Couriers & Freight helps you manage each step, from booking freight to clearing customs, in one simple platform.

Step 1: Find and Verify a Supplier in China

A good supplier is the backbone of any successful import. Problems like late shipments, poor product quality, or scams often start with the wrong partner. Start your search on platforms such as Alibaba, Made-in-China, or Global Sources, but don’t rely on listings alone. Supplier verification is your first safeguard against fraud, poor quality, or delays.

A small online retailer once asked a Chinese supplier for factory audit reports and export records. The supplier refused and demanded a large minimum order. That was a clear warning sign, so the buyer found another factory that provided full documentation and proof of past shipments.

Here’s how to check that a supplier is genuine and reliable:

• Ask for their business registration, tax ID, and export licence
• Request samples or a small trial order
• Hire an inspection or audit company to check their factory
• Ask for the contact details of previous buyers
• Use secure payment options such as escrow or Trade Assurance

Be cautious of suppliers who avoid video calls, provide inconsistent documents, quote unrealistically low prices, or refuse product inspections. Spending extra time on verification saves you money and stress later when importing from China to Australia.

Step 2: Choose the Right Freight Method (Air vs Sea)

Your choice between air and sea freight from China to Australia affects your costs, delivery speed, and how smoothly each shipment moves through customs.

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For example, shipping 500 phone cases by air might cost about $1,200 and arrive in five days. Sending the same goods by sea could cost around $400 but take 25 to 35 days. Rates fluctuate with fuel costs, seasonal demand, and port congestion.

As your order sizes grow, sea freight often becomes the more cost-effective choice. If speed matters most, air freight is the way to go. It is an ideal choice for smaller, higher-value shipments.

Step 3: Understand Import Taxes and Customs Requirements

Before your shipment arrives, take a few minutes to estimate how much tax you’ll pay. This helps you avoid last-minute cash flow shocks when your goods arrive in Australia. Knowing these figures upfront helps you set realistic landed costs and avoid profit loss from surprise import fees.

Import taxes often catch new importers off guard. In Australia, you usually pay two main charges: customs duty and GST (Goods and Services Tax) - a 10% tax applied to most imported goods and services.

If the total customs value of your goods is under $1,000, you normally don’t pay import duty. However, GST can still apply in some cases, especially for online retail orders. Once your shipment is worth more than $1,000, both duty and GST are required.

Customs value (CVAL) is the amount the Australian Border Force uses to calculate duties and taxes. It includes:

• What you paid the supplier (known as the Free On Board FOB value)
• Shipping and insurance costs
• Any duty that applies

Here’s how it works:

1. Check the duty rate for your product using its HS (Harmonised System) code. Many manufactured goods are around 5%, though some are duty-free under trade agreements.
2. Add the duty amount to the customs value.
3. Apply 10% GST to the total of goods, shipping, and duty.

Example:

If you import LED lights worth $5,000 (FOB) and pay $500 for shipping and insurance, and the duty rate is 5%, your total taxes would look like this:

Duty: 5% of 5,000 = $250

Customs base: 5,000 + 500 + 250 = $5,750

GST: 10% of 5,750 = $575

Total import tax: 250 + 575 = $825

Actual rates vary by product and country of origin. You can confirm the rate using the ABF tariff lookup tool or ask your customs broker.

If your business is registered under the Deferred GST (DGST) scheme from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), you can delay paying GST until your next BAS statement. Check with the ATO to see if you qualify.

Step 4: Arrange Freight and Documentation

Once you decide between air or sea freight, you’ll need to get your paperwork in order before your goods can move. Even small mistakes or missing documents can lead to expensive delays.

Important documents checklist:

• Commercial Invoice: Details what you’re buying, who you’re buying it from, and the total amount paid.
• Packing List: Outlines the number of boxes, their weight, dimensions, and contents for customs reference.
• Bill of Lading (BOL): A legal document issued by the carrier for sea freight, confirming goods received for shipment.
• Air Waybill (AWB): The air freight equivalent of a Bill of Lading, issued by the airline as proof of carriage.
• Import Declaration: An official form submitted to the Australian Border Force (ABF) that declares goods entering Australia.

Missing or mismatched paperwork is one of the top causes of customs delays.

A freight forwarder can handle bookings, work with carriers, and submit all export and import paperwork for you. Because most delays come from document errors, partnering with a forwarder to manage your paperwork can save you both time and money.

To make the process easier, you can also work with Couriers & Freight’s Freight Forwarding Services to ensure your documentation meets all ABF requirements.

Step 5: Customs Clearance and Delivery in Australia

When your goods arrive at an Australian port or airport, they go through customs clearance. This is the process of verifying paperwork, inspecting goods, and assessing taxes before release. Your freight forwarder lodges the Import Declaration and works with the Australian Border Force (ABF) to confirm the shipment’s value and calculate any applicable duties or GST.

Sometimes customs may hold a shipment for inspection or biosecurity checks, especially for certain materials or packaging. If this happens, your forwarder can upload additional documents or certificates to help clear the hold faster. You may need to pay inspection or storage fees if the hold extends for several days.

Delays usually happen because of missing paperwork, incorrect product codes, or unpaid taxes. Once your goods are cleared, they move into local delivery. After clearance, your shipment is dispatched by courier, rail, or road freight, depending on its destination.

For example, if a container at Port Botany is missing a product certificate, the forwarder can submit the document directly to ABF to release the goods faster.

Throughout the process, keep an eye on shipment updates and reply quickly to any customs or carrier requests. When importing from China to Australia, staying in touch with your forwarder helps avoid long delays and unnecessary costs.

How Couriers & Freight Helps Simplify Importing

Many small business owners waste hours chasing quotes, filling in forms, and following up on lost paperwork. When customs hold a shipment or a carrier misses a deadline, the delays can quickly add up to lost sales and storage costs.

Couriers & Freight makes importing straightforward from booking to delivery. With one dashboard, you can compare air and sea freight rates, book shipments, upload documents, and track deliveries, all in real time. You’ll also receive updates when customs clearance is complete so you can plan stock and deliveries.

With Couriers & Freight, importers save time, reduce admin work, and keep every shipment visible from start to finish. Get a Freight Quote Now and make importing simpler and faster.

Import from China Made Easy

Cut delays and paperwork headaches. Get reliable freight support from Couriers & Freight.

Get a Quote Now