If you want to ship goods from China to Australia, you’re not alone. Australia and China have been strong trade partners for decades, and businesses can earn high margins by leveraging China’s low-cost manufacturing and Australia’s pro-trade policies.
But knowing a supplier in China and a buyer in Australia is not enough. You need a reliable supply chain strategy to avoid costly mistakes like customs issues, scams, or inefficient transit.
This guide covers everything you need to know about shipping from China to Australia—including costs, timelines, common pitfalls, and the best logistics options.
But just because you know a guy on either end doesn’t mean you have a supply chain. Though China and Australia have been close trading partners for roughly half a century, there are still pitfalls most businesses face when moving goods between the two.
Some of the many issues that can cost you time and money in shipping from China to Australia include:
Complex tariff and import laws
Language barriers
Lack of clear information
A fast-paced and competitive market
An overabundance of options
Transit Inefficiencies
Scams
As a business specializing in moving goods between China and Australia, we want to outline some of the things your business needs to know when shipping between the two.
What products can you ship from China to Australia?
In past decades, China became a global leader in producing electronics, cell phones, cosmetics, garments, shoes, furniture, and much more. Among the billions of dollars of goods shipped from China to Australia each year, top exports include:
Computer hardware
Electronic components
Garments
Gousehold textiles
Furniture
Plastic products
China’s an industrial powerhouse. Pretty much any good you can dream up can be manufactured in the country and shipped to another ﹘, barring some legal restrictions.
There are few laws limiting exports from China and most import restrictions in Australia are what you would expect: weapons, animals, drugs, heritage items, food, and plant life. It is worth noting that while some items aren’t prohibited for import in Australia, they may be prohibited for use in certain states. Make sure to look around for more specific regulations before shipping.
How much does it cost to ship from China to Australia?
China offers one of the cheapest and easiest import options among all Southeast Asian trading partners with the land down under. Australia’s robust bilateral trade agreements with China make it an easy choice due to low tariff prices.
Having secured Most Favored Nation (MFN) status with China in 2015, many consumer goods shipped from China to Australia have no tariffs imposed at all. In the case of some electronics and textile goods, a tariff of about 2% to 3% may be imposed.
Shipping costs will also fluctuate between logistics companies. In general, you can expect sea freight to cost only a couple of dollars per kilogram (if shipping in bulk). These prices can get a bit higher during peak times.
When evaluating quotes from potential partners, keep in mind that the price for any shipment will include not only the logistics fees but also:
Logistics and freight fees
Customs clearance
Local port charges
Warehousing & delivery fees
Insurance
💡 At Wayfindr (formerly CBIP), we can send you an itemized list of your shipping quote so you know exactly what you’re charged for. Don’t like something you see? We can work with your business to change any part of the process.
How long does it take to ship from China to Australia?
Receiving your product quickly and without unexpected delays is important for your company and your customers. Fortunately, China and Australia have enough of a trade history that delivery times are more or less predictable.
Shipping from China to Australia by ocean freight is the most common and economical method for shipping in volume. While air freight is beginning to take a larger foothold in the industry, it is still much more expensive and only a great option if you’re in a hurry.
While ETAs are always subject to change and extra time could be added during on-loading/offloading, here’s how long you can expect to wait for your order to ship from China to Australia by sea:
Origin Port
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Adelaide
Shenzhen
11 days
13–15 days
11 days
30 days
Shanghai
13–17 days
18–20 days
13 days
28 days
Hong Kong
11–12 days
14–22 days
19–28 days
28–30 days
Air freight: Usually delivered within 7–12 days, but at higher cost.
👉 Tip: Make sure your logistics partner offers real-time tracking for your order. Knowing exactly when to expect an arrival will let you plan your sales with precision and manage customer expectations.
Who can I use to ship from China to Australia?
China is the world’s leading exporter of goods. There is no shortage of logistics companies and freight forwarders operating within the country. However, it’s a competitive and complex market and you need to be careful about which partner you select for logistics.
As a small business, it’s easy to default to a major express courier like UPS, FedEx, DHL, or Amazon. It’s a natural choice for many – their services are designed for businesses that don’t want to spend time planning their logistics options or customer service. They can do it all, so long as you can deal with their schedules and their prices.
However, if you want to get the best price deals your only other option is usually piecing together your logistics by yourself. That means you’re stuck finding your own freight forwarders, third-party providers, and warehouses.
It may seem like this leaves you between two imperfect options, and until recently, those were all you had. But today, a new service is out there for businesses that want a little more control without having to take care of every little thing.
Fast, Reliable, and Affordable shipping from China to Australia
We created our business, Wayfindr (formerly CBIP) to provide a third option to businesses trying to grow fast. A service of the same caliber as express couriers without the massive price tags.
As a fourth-party logistics (4PL) firm, we create supply chains with unparalleled access to express couriers, freight forwarders, air and sea shipping, last-mile services, and warehousing. We do it by connecting with local logistics providers in our target regions, focused on doing one or two things well. Then we match them to your business based on your specific timeline, price points, and other requirements.
We’d love to provide your business with our years of experience connecting supply chains through Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America, growing fast and lean businesses. Send us your email today for a free, no-strings consultation, and we’ll help your business with shipping in China and beyond.
The cost depends on volume, shipping method, and season. Sea freight is cheapest, starting at just a few dollars per kilogram for bulk shipments. Air freight costs more but offers faster delivery. Additional charges include customs clearance, port fees, and insurance.
Sea freight typically takes 11–20 days to major ports like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, depending on origin. Air freight usually arrives within 7–12 days, making it the fastest but costliest option.
For large shipments, sea freight is the most cost-effective. For urgent deliveries, air freight is faster. Businesses looking for the best balance of speed and cost often choose 4PL logistics solutions, which combine multiple carriers for optimal efficiency.
Express couriers like DHL, UPS, and FedEx are convenient but expensive. For flexibility and cost savings, many businesses use 4PL providers like Wayfindr, which design custom supply chains using local and global partners.
About Author
Nick Bartlett
Co-founder & Director
Nick co-founded Wayfindr to help brands design and build market-leading carbon-neutral D2C logistics. As Director, he brings 15+ years of experience across logistics, marketing, supply chain and retail from Asia Pacific to the world.
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