
Bilateral trade in goods and services between Hong Kong and Australia reached $19.2 billion in 2024, and demand for shipping from Hong Kong to Australia has remained strong.
For businesses and individuals arranging a shipment, that demand comes down to one choice. Cost versus speed. This applies in both directions, from Hong Kong to Australia and back.
The guide compares each shipping option, explains typical carrier choices, and outlines the customs rules for both directions.
Before choosing to ship from Hong Kong to Australia, consider these key points:
Compare live courier, air freight and sea freight rates through Couriers & Freight before booking your shipment.
Choosing the right shipping method depends on three factors: shipment size, delivery timeframe and budget.
The comparison below outlines the typical door-to-door transit times and the most suitable use case for each shipping option when you ship from Hong Kong to Australia.
Shipping by air from Hong Kong to Australia includes international express courier for consignments up to approximately 45 kg and air freight for heavier commercial cargo requiring faster delivery than sea freight.
Hong Kong International Airport is the world's busiest international cargo airport by freight volume, making it a major gateway for shipments bound for Australia.
Through Couriers & Freight, businesses can compare international express services and air freight options using a single booking platform. The courier prices below are based on a live quote for a 5 kg carton (20 × 20 × 20 cm) collected from Aberdeen, Hong Kong, and delivered to Kingsgrove, New South Wales.
Rates exclude GST and reflect the 12:00 pm Hong Kong cut-off for same-day dispatch. For consignments above approximately 45 kg, dedicated air freight services often provide a lower cost per kilogram than international courier services and are worth comparing before booking.

UPS is a global parcel delivery and logistics company providing domestic and international transport, customs brokerage and supply chain services.
The company operates scheduled air services between Asia and Australia through its international network, supporting shipments from single parcels through to commercial freight consignments. Importers who need time-definite delivery use UPS for shipment tracking from pickup to delivery and customs clearance support.
Compare UPS international services and request a quote through Couriers & Freight.

FedEx is an international express transportation company providing time-definite delivery services across more than 220 countries and territories.
Shipments from Hong Kong to Australia move through FedEx's Asia Pacific air network, carrying shipments for businesses ranging from single parcels to commercial freight consignments.
FedEx is used for higher-value and time-sensitive shipments where time-definite international delivery is a priority.
Compare FedEx international services and request a quote through Couriers & Freight.

DHL Express provides international express delivery services for documents, parcels and commercial shipments across more than 220 countries and territories.
Hong Kong International Airport is one of DHL Express's major aviation hubs, supporting regular freight shipments to Australia through its global air network.
For urgent international consignments, DHL Express is commonly selected for its fast transit times, tracking across the full journey and customs clearance support.
Compare DHL Express services and request a quote through Couriers & Freight.
Sea freight is generally the most economical option for larger commercial shipments when transit time is less critical than shipping costs.
For smaller commercial consignments, Less than Container Load (LCL) allows shippers to share container space with other cargo, while Full Container Load (FCL) is designed for shipments that fill a dedicated 20-foot or 40-foot container.
LCL typically becomes a practical option once a shipment reaches around one to two cubic metres, although this varies by freight forwarder and cargo type.
Most international freight from Hong Kong enters Australia through the ports of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Typical door-to-door transit times are approximately 23 to 28 days for LCL and 22 to 26 days for FCL, depending on vessel schedules, port operations and customs clearance.

Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) is a Hong Kong-headquartered container shipping company operating scheduled services across Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America.
The company provides international container shipping for importers and exporters transporting general cargo, manufactured goods and retail products. With Hong Kong as one of its principal operating hubs, OOCL is frequently used for container shipments departing to Australia's major ports.
Compare OOCL ocean freight services through Couriers & Freight.

MSC is an international container shipping and logistics company operating scheduled services between Asia and Australia through its global shipping network.
MSC operates container shipping services across Asia, Oceania, Europe and the Americas. It transports containerised cargo for industries including manufacturing, retail, food and consumer goods using a range of container equipment and sailing schedules.
Compare MSC ocean freight services through Couriers & Freight.

Ocean Network Express (ONE) is a container shipping company headquartered in Singapore, providing scheduled liner services across Asia, Oceania, Europe and the Americas. Its regular Asia-Australia shipping network connects Hong Kong with Australia's major container ports, serving importers across industries including retail, manufacturing and consumer goods.
Compare Ocean Network Express services through Couriers & Freight.
The same shipping options apply when sending goods from Australia to Hong Kong, including international express courier, air freight, and sea freight through LCL or FCL services. Commercial exports generally require an export declaration lodged through the ABF when the value exceeds the reporting threshold.
The Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement facilitates two-way trade by eliminating tariffs on originating goods that meet the agreement's rules of origin.
Common Australian exports to Hong Kong include wine, meat products and precious metals. For businesses weighing up their options, Couriers & Freight offers international express courier, air freight and sea freight for outbound shipments.
Whether importing into Australia or exporting to Hong Kong, understanding customs requirements before booking helps limit delays and unexpected charges for shipments in either direction.
Goods imported into Australia with a customs value exceeding $1,000 generally require a formal Import Declaration lodged with the ABF. GST is charged at 10% on taxable imports, while customs duty depends on the product classification, country of origin, and any applicable trade agreements.
Commercial shipments exported from Australia to Hong Kong should include a commercial invoice with the correct Harmonised System (HS) code to clear customs.
Restricted or prohibited items entering Australia include:
Documents to prepare before booking include:
Learn more about Customs Clearance to ensure your shipment clears customs smoothly.
Several factors influence the cost to ship from Hong Kong to Australia. Carriers calculate charges based on the greater of the shipment's actual weight or its volumetric weight. Fuel surcharges, origin handling charges and destination handling charges also affect the final price. Sea freight shipments may incur customs brokerage and port-related fees, while the declared customs value influences cargo insurance costs.
These cost drivers apply to shipments in both directions, although origin charges vary between Hong Kong and Australian ports and airports. Compare live freight rates before booking to identify the most suitable option for your shipment.
Sea freight stays the lower-cost option for larger shipments. Courier and air freight cost more per kilogram, in exchange for faster delivery. Comparing live rates before booking shows which option fits the cost and timeframe your shipment needs.
Couriers & Freight lets Australian businesses and importers compare international express courier, air freight and sea freight services between Hong Kong and Australia. Available carriers include UPS, FedEx and DHL for international express courier, alongside air freight and sea freight through LCL and FCL services.
Once a shipment is booked, it can be tracked without a separate carrier login. Compare carrier rates across these services before booking to find the right option for your shipment size and timeframe.
Get a quote and ship from Hong Kong to Australia through Couriers & Freight's international shipping service.




MHP
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$14
$15.50
$0
$15.50
$14.75
$0
$0
$0
$0
MHP Large Item
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$75
$62
$62
$60.10
$14.75
$0
$0
$0
$0
Residential Pickup
No Surcharge*
$6
$0
$9
--
$9
$10.60
$0
$0
$0
$38.50
Reidential pick up 30-99kgs
No Surcharge*
$63
$0
$9
$0
$9
$74.15
$20
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential pick up 100kgs+
No Surcharge*
$198
$0
$9
$0
$9
$158.87
$50
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential Delivery up to 29kgs
No Surcharge*
$6
$0
$9
--
$9.00
$10.60
$0
$0
$0
$38.50
Residential Delivery up 30-99kgs
No Surcharge*
$63
$0
$9
$0
$9
$74.15
$20
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential Delivery 100kgs+
No Surcharge*
$198
$0
$9
--
$9
$158.57
$50
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Tail Lift Pick up 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$45
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$85
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$120
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$250
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$45
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$85
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$120
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$250
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Dead weight over 32KGS carton freight
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$75
$70
$70
$70
$14.75
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.20 - 1.54
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$0
$0
$0
$5.40
$10
$15
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.55 - 1.85
No Surcharge*
$17
$20
$0
$0
$0
$11.93
$10
$15
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.86 - 2.20
No Surcharge*
$37
$40
$0
$0
$0
$11.93
$10
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Pallet Surcharge
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Hand Unload Fee Carton
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$70
$70
$70
$47
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Western Australia Regional Surcharge
No Surcharge*
%10
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
*Surcharges may apply to areas/deimensions not listed
**Prices correct of 16th September 2024
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