International · AU

How to Ship to Australia from the US

Australia has some of the world's strictest biosecurity rules — importing food, plants, wood products, or anything that could introduce pests faces heavy scrutiny. That said, Australia is a top-10 US export destination with strong ecommerce demand.

The key tax line is AUD 1,000. Under it, goods bought from a registered overseas seller or marketplace have 10% GST added at checkout, and personal gifts usually arrive tax-free. Over it, the recipient pays 10% GST plus any duty before the package is released.

Typical 1 lb cost

$25-$50 USD

Typical transit

5-14 business days

Carrier Options to Australia

DHL Express Worldwide

3-5 business days. Strong Australian network.

FedEx International Priority

3-5 business days. Reliable for time-sensitive.

UPS Worldwide Expedited

4-6 business days. Good for heavier packages.

USPS Priority Mail International

7-14 business days. Good value for 4-20 lb and Flat Rate boxes; under 4 lb, First-Class Package International is usually cheaper. Final delivery by Australia Post.

Customs Forms Required

CN22 or CN23 + commercial invoice. Declare accurately — biosecurity inspections are common.

Commonly Prohibited Items

✕Fresh food, meat, dairy, honey (biosecurity prohibits or heavily restricts)
✕Seeds, plants, soil (strict biosecurity enforcement)
✕Wood products without treatment certificates
✕Firearms, air guns, paintball guns
✕Certain supplements and medications not approved by TGA

Australia-Specific Shipping Tips

💡 Biosecurity is serious — even small food items (spices, tea bags) can be destroyed on arrival
💡 Personal gifts under AUD 1,000 usually arrive without GST or duty; goods sold by registered overseas businesses have 10% GST charged at checkout instead
💡 Ship via tracked services — Australian recipients expect reliable tracking
💡 Address format: Unit/Street/Suburb/State/Postcode (4 digits)
💡 Avoid shipping during Australian holiday periods (late December through January) — backlogs are significant

How Much Does It Cost to Ship to Australia from the USA?

Price comes down to three things: weight, box size and speed. Australia is a long way from the US, so it is one of the pricier destinations — a 1 lb package typically costs $25–$50, and express couriers cost the most.

The cheapest choice depends on what you are sending:

Under 4 lb and not urgent: USPS First-Class Package International is usually the cheapest.
4–20 lb: USPS Priority Mail International — or a Priority Mail International Flat Rate box if the contents are heavy for their size.
Needed within a week: DHL Express, FedEx International Priority or UPS Worldwide Expedited.
Large but light boxes: watch dimensional weight. UPS and FedEx price international packages on size as well as weight (length × width × height ÷ 139, in inches and pounds), so a big box can cost far more than its weight suggests.

💡 For an exact price, enter the weight and box size in the carrier's own calculator or a discounted postage platform before you buy. International rates change often, so check on the day you ship.

GST and Duty: What Your Australian Recipient Pays

Under AUD 1,000, bought from a business: most overseas stores and marketplaces that sell to Australians add 10% GST at checkout. Since July 2018, overseas businesses with more than AUD 75,000 a year in Australian sales must register and collect it. Nothing more is due on delivery.
Under AUD 1,000, sent as a personal gift: usually no GST and no duty.
Over AUD 1,000: an import declaration must be lodged — often through a customs broker — and the recipient pays 10% GST plus any duty before the package is released.
Duty on US goods: many goods made in the US are duty-free under the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement, as long as they meet its origin rules.

ℹ️ Mark gifts as gifts and give a real value on the customs form. Undervaluing a package to avoid tax is an offence and a common reason parcels are held at the border.

How to Address a Package to Australia

Australia Post sorts by suburb, state and postcode, so those need to be right. Put them together on one line, in capital letters:

Recipient's full name.
Unit and street — for example 'Unit 5, 12 Smith Street', or the short form '5/12 Smith Street'.
SUBURB STATE POSTCODE — for example 'SURRY HILLS NSW 2010'.
AUSTRALIA.

💡 Use the state's short form — NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT or NT. Postcodes are always 4 digits. Add the recipient's phone number too: couriers use it for delivery and customs questions.

Customs and Biosecurity: Avoid the Most Common Holds

Every package needs a customs declaration. If you buy postage online, it is printed with the label.
Describe each item plainly — 'cotton t-shirt', not 'clothing' or 'gift'.
Declare any food, plant, seed, wood or animal product, even a small amount. Australian biosecurity can destroy undeclared items.
Don't pack with straw, soil or untreated wood. They can hold up the whole box.
Lithium batteries have strict rules: ship them installed in the device, and check the carrier's limits before you buy postage.

Frequently asked questions

How long does shipping to Australia take?

DHL/FedEx Express: 3-5 business days. UPS: 4-6 days. USPS Priority International: 7-14 days. Delays around holidays.

How much is Australian GST?

10%. On goods under AUD 1,000, registered overseas sellers and marketplaces charge it at checkout. On goods over AUD 1,000, the recipient pays it, plus any duty, before the package is released. Personal gifts under AUD 1,000 are usually exempt.

Can I ship food to Australia?

Mostly no. Biosecurity prohibits fresh food, meat, dairy, honey. Shelf-stable packaged snacks may be allowed but require declaration. Don't risk it for casual gifting — packages get destroyed.

What's the cheapest way to ship to Australia?

USPS First-Class Package International (under 4 lbs). Above that, DHL eCommerce is competitive.

Do I need to declare every item's contents?

Yes. Customs form requires accurate description. Vague descriptions ('gift', 'merchandise') trigger inspections.

How much does it cost to ship to Australia from the USA?

A 1 lb package typically costs $25–$50. Light parcels under 4 lb are usually cheapest with USPS First-Class Package International; express couriers cost more but arrive in about 3–5 business days. Rates change often, so check the carrier's calculator on the day you ship.

Are there tariffs on packages from the US to Australia?

Many US-made goods enter duty-free under the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement, as long as they meet its origin rules. The bigger cost is usually the 10% GST — charged at checkout by registered sellers on goods under AUD 1,000, or paid by the recipient on goods over AUD 1,000.

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