shipping from china to australia

A Comprehensive guide shipping from China to Australia

This guide equips you with all the information you need while shipping goods from China to Australia.

Australia is China’s tenth-largest customer for exports. In fact, over a quarter of Australia’s manufactured imports come from China. A freight forwarder will be able to help your business exploit this boom by making things easier when you’re importing commercial goods from China to Australia
If you are planning to engage in the shipping of products from China to Australia, you will need the services of an experienced freight forwarding company like XCJD Global Logistics Ltd
Make sure you are sure of your needs for storage and shipping. The nature and quantity of your items will determine the mode of transport and storage requirements. Only hire a freight forwarder that can provide your cargo with the storage and shipping it needs.
XCJD Global Logistics LTD have many ways for you choosing free from China to Australia, like by express: DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT, by air to the airport, by sea to seaport, by special way air DDU and sea DDU
When you ship your cargo using the expertise of XCJD Logistics, you enjoy the safety and comfort enjoyed by other shippers that utilize their network. You are also guaranteed to receive your cargo timely and in a safe condition.
Most of the goods imported into Australia from China attract an import duty tariff as well as a 10% goods and services tax. Although an import tax calculator can help you arrive at a logical figure, your customs broker is also in a good position to provide you with a functional figure.
If the value of your goods is over AUD1000, you are expected to fill and submit an import declaration form, Before the goods finish customs clearance, offer the Certificate of Origin Form from China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, you can have some tax free.
XCJD Global Logistics has an extensive network of shipping companies and agents they work with. The more diverse their network, the more likely you are to enjoy an excellent and first-class service.

Freight Forwarder for China to Australia Shipping

If you are planning to engage in the shipping of products from China to Australia, you will need the services of an experienced freight forwarding company like DongFangHong Global Logistics.

Who is a Freight Forwarder?

A freight forwarder is an individual or agency that serves as an intermediary between the person importing the goods into Australia on one side and the supplier and shipping company on the other side. A freight forwarder does not move the cargo himself but handles logistical planning on behalf of his client or principal. This multifunctional agent plays a critical role in ensuring that the cargo gets to the owner in good condition.

China Sourcing Agent

DongFangHong Global Logistics is a freight forwarder with an enviable track record in facilitating the movement of goods from Suppliers through the transportation value chain to the importers. Currently, XCJD Logistics handles shipments from China to Australia as well as to several other countries with established trade relations with China. Some of the services offered by Freight Forwarders like XCJD include.

Product Sourcing: XCJD Logistics does more than just the smooth movement of goods from Seller to Buyer. We also help buyers source products from reliable suppliers. This means that if you are interested in procuring items of any kind produced in China in large or small quantities, you don’t have to take a trip to China or perform endless searches online for suppliers that may not be trustworthy. With our wealth of experience and vast network, we can help you source any item you need.
Pick up and delivery: We handle pickup and deliveries on your behalf. From the factory or warehouse of the supplier all the way to delivering the said items at your location, we’ve got you covered.
Packaging: There are packaging requirements for almost any item delivered into Australia. In accordance with the import regulations of the government of Australia, we handle the packaging of items before shipping them to you.
Label: When required, we ensure that items that are about to be shipped are labeled accordingly in line with regulations.
30-60 days free warehouse: To ensure that your supplier does not run out of stock before you are ready to ship items back to Australia, it may be necessary to place your order on time. This may create a storage problem while you wait for the shipping vessel to commence the loading of cargo. At XCJD Global Logistics, we offer our clients between 1-2 months free warehouse facility. All this at no extra cost.
Warehousing and Distribution: Besides the warehouse facility we provide, we also offer distribution services for items to be picked up or delivered to multiple locations.
Loading Supervision: We ensure that your cargo is handled with the utmost care when it is loaded unto a transport vehicle, aircraft, or sea vessel. Out supervisors are always on the ground to see things through.
Custom Clearance: You need not worry about handling the Customs clearance of your items on your own. We understand that the entire process can be quite stressful and convoluted. That is why we have licensed agents on standby to handle the entire customs clearance process for you.

Note: When you ship your cargo using the expertise of XCJD Logistics, you enjoy the safety and comfort enjoyed by other shippers that utilize their network. You are also guaranteed to receive your cargo timely and in a safe condition.

What does Australia import from China?

The list of items Australia imports from China is endless. Australia has a thriving manufacturing industry of its own, but like all other countries, she does not manufacture all that she needs. To make up for the shortfall, the country imports from others like China. There are so many items importers buy from the Chinese market and enjoy a healthy profit from. Some of the highly demanded Chinese items in the Australian market include:

Machinery – Windows – Clothes – Shoes – Toys – Steel – Electronics – Solar Panels – Tyres – Cosmetics – Furniture – Boats – Food items – Jewellery – Building materials – Tea

Prohibited & Restricted Products

If you are new to the importation business, you need to be aware of the items that are not allowed into the country. The Customs authorities have a prohibited list of items that they constantly update from time to time. Reviewing this list constantly is the safest way to avoid future goods seizures or hefty customs fines. Here are some of the items not allowed into Australia from foreign countries.

Weapons – Hazardous goods – Miscellaneous items on the list – Drugs, Medicines, and Therapeutics – Defense and Strategic equipment

Items not allowed out of Australia

Exportation of Items of bio-security importance during the Covid-19 or any other major pandemic
Intellectual and Cultural property

How to Import goods from China to Australia?

If you are new to the importation business, we are sure that it is so much you don’t know about the process, but you need not worry. This is why this guide was written to serve as a guide.

For starters, there are certain key steps you need to take to ensure a smooth process. We itemize each step in gradual progression.

Source for Suppliers and their prices

The first thing you need to do is to source for suppliers of items that are highly demanded in Australia. You can do this via the following mediums

Alibaba
Made-in-China.com
Hongkong Fair
Canton Fair

Identifying more than one supplier will increase your chances of getting a good price. In addition, compare their prices with the selling price in the local Australian market. The wider the price bracket, the more likely it is that you will earn a healthy profit from them. As a safety buffer, you may rely on XCJD Global Logistics knowledge of the market to avoid scams and potentially expensive prices.

Review the Restrictions and Quarantine list of the Australian Government

Review the restrictions list to see if the items you have pinpointed for import are on the list. If they avoid buying them as they will most likely be seized and destroyed by the Customs service.

Plan your Logistics

The shipping medium you utilize will depend on the number of items you are shipping. A small size item or set of items can be shipped in a parcel. If you are shipping in large quantities, you may need an LCL or FCL medium. XCJD Global Logistics can be contracted to handle item pickup and drop off at your final location.

Use reliable financial intermediary.

The method of payments for the items and logistics costs will have to be arranged well in advance. XCJD Logistics is well prepared to handle the financial planning of the entire venture on your behalf.

Review the landing cost

Make sure you factor in the cost of transportation, import duty, and any other associated costs involved.

Determine your selling price

Having calculated your landing cost, determine your selling price in line with the current market price in the local Australian market. If you are sure of making a profit, you can now place your order.

Place your order

Place your order to a reliable supplier who offers the best quality items at the least price to expand your profit margin. Make sure your order is confirmed, depending on the platform you are using. Also, make sure that you understand the terms and conditions of sale before making payment.

Take delivery of your cargo.

On the appointed day, you should expect your cargo delivered to you in line with the agreed incoterms of trade.

Trade Incoterms

Incoterms are pre-existing agreements reached between the parties involved in the trade, namely the Buyer and the Seller. These agreements are of different kinds but are put in place to protect both parties from financial liabilities. Below, we review some of the most commonly used incoterms in international trade.

EX Works

An EX Works agreement simply states that the Seller will deliver the items to a location where the buyer’s agent is to take delivery. Under Ex Works, buyers absorb greater responsibilities than sellers because the buyer is responsible for onward shipment to his final destination as soon as he takes delivery.

FOB

A Free On Board arrangement entails that the seller transports the items from the factory or warehouse to the vessel for onward transport. Once the items are delivered to the vessel, full responsibility switches to the buyer from that point until the items arrive at the final destination.

DDP (Delivery Duty Paid)

DDP places 100% responsibility on the Seller to make all logistical arrangements and to cover the maximum cost. The seller is responsible for organizing, transporting, and shipping the items to the buyer’s port of destination.

CFR

Under Cost and Freight terms, the seller is responsible for transporting the items to the port, clearing the items for export, and delivering them to the vessel for transportation. The Seller bears the full cost of shipping the cargo while the buyer bears the cost of clearing the cargo at the port of destination.

DDU

Also known as Delivered Duty Unpaid, DDU is the opposite of DDP. Under a DDU arrangement, the buyer only bears the financial cost of paying the import duty tax. All other costs are covered by the seller.

CIF

Insurance is an important component of international trade and shipping, and CIF remains one of the most important terms agreed by both parties, Cost, Insurance and Freight costs (CIF) is borne by the seller, not the buyer.

The best medium to Ship cargo from China to Australia

There really isn’t the best medium when it comes to shipping cargo from China to Australia. The best medium will depend on two things.

The quantity of the items
The nature of the items

In discussing “quantity” and “nature,” find below the viable shipping mediums available to importers.

LCL Shipping From China to Australia

If your items are too large or too numerous to be packaged in a parcel, you will need to ship them in a container. But 20ft or 40ft containers may be too large for your items leading to a waste of space. To prevent financial waste, you can use LCL to your advantage. Under LCL, your freight agent will place your cargo in the same container with a cargo belonging to other shippers. With proper labeling, sorting will be done easily once the sea vessel arrives at the port of delivery.

LCL Shipping from China to Australia

FCL, also known as Full Container Load, is essentially for shippers with large quantities. Under FCL, the entire container is used solely for the shipment of items belonging to a single shipper.

Reefer Container Shipping from China to Australia

Certain items need to be kept under regulated temperature to prevent them from going bad. If your items are sensitive to the temperature you will need to hire a reefer container. Reefer containers are refrigerated containers used in transporting perishable cargo.

Roll-on & Roll-off Shipping from China to Australia

Some items, such as wheeled cargo (trucks, cars, railroad vehicles) can be driven into the ship on their own.

Door to Door Shipping

If you want to save yourself the stress of coordinating logistics and customs clearance on your own, you can order for your items to be delivered to you at your location.

Shipping Time from China to Australia

Sea Freight FCL	13-25 days
Sea Freight LCL	16-28 days
Air Freight	3-6 days
Express Shipping (Door-Door)	1-4 days

Container Shipping Cost from China to Australia

Find in the table below the shipping rates for 40ft containers from the ports of Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Ningbo to Australian seaports.

Shipping to Sydney	$1,478
Shipping to Melbourne	$1,478
Shipping to Brisbane	$1,478

Shipping Costs from China to Australia

Here are some other general costs to plan for if you are considering the prospect of shipping items into Australia from China.

Import License: Some special items require an import license in order to be allowed into the country. To obtain the license, you will have to pay a fee. Consult your Customs broker for more information.
Import Tax: Also called an import duty, this is a VAT goods tax placed on items coming into the country from abroad. It is collected by the Customs authority on behalf of the government.
Freight Shipping Cost: This is the amount you pay to the shipping company responsible for transporting your items.

Import Customs and Duty Procedures in Australia

The customs duty procedures in Australia is relatively straightforward. Here is a to-do shortlist to complete the process.

If the value of your goods is over AUD1000, you are expected to fill and submit an import declaration form. This can be done over the internet or the ICS (Integrated Cargo System)
Pay a GST once the goods are cleared.
Customs conducts an EOI check to verify your identity.
Submit a duly filled Self Assessment Clearance(SAC) declaration for goods of low value
Forward an EOI to register as a Client on the ICS platform by using a B319 Form. (Not required if you already an ABN or Customs Client Identification (CCID)
Submit relevant documents such as invoices and bills of lading (if required)
The Customs and Border Protection Authorities will examine your cargo to ensure they don’t fall under the Prohibited and Restricted list.
Pay duty tax and required charges
Take delivery of your cargo.

Why do you need a Customs Broker?

A Customs broker is a licensed agent qualified to handle clearance procedures on behalf of the cargo owner. This agent is certified by the Australian Customs and Border Protection agency. A Broker will not only provide you with important information regarding the clearing of your cargo, he or she will also provide other critical support services and act on your behalf as an intermediary with the Customs authorities.

Australian Customs Tariff

Most of the goods imported into Australia from China attract an import duty tariff as well as a 10% goods and services tax. Although an import tax calculator can help you arrive at a logical figure, your customs broker is also in a good position to provide you with a functional figure.

Sea Freight from China to Australia

Sea freight remains the cheapest method of transport because sea vessels have the capacity to carry large cargo volumes at lower prices. Except time is of the essence to you, or you are shipping just a small parcel, sea shipping is the ideal option. The main seaports in China from which cargo is shipped to Australia are:

Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Xiamen – Shanghai – Ningbo – Qingdao – Tianjin

The major ports in Australia that receive cargo from China are:

Brisbane – Freemantle – Sydney – Melbourne

Sea Freight rates LCL

Location	Shanghai Port rates	Ningbo Port rates	Shenzhen Port rates
Shipments to Sydney	$705	$705	$755
Shipments to Melbourne	$707	$707	$757
Shipments to Brisbane	$725	$725	$775

Note* The rates in the table above are for LCL shipments for door-to-door at average weights of 200 kg/1 CBM. Shippers are also able to track their cargo in real-time once the vessel leaves the Port of origin.

Airfreight from China to Australia

Cargo can also be lifted from Chinese airports and delivered to an airport closest to you. Airfreight is a lot faster and ideal for parcel deliveries. It is not ideal if you are shipping in large quantities due to its relatively high cost. The main airports in China are:

Beijing – Chengdu – Guangzhou – Hong Kong – Shenzhen – Shanghai – Hangzhou – Xian – Xiamen – Qingdao – Wuhan – Tianjin

The main airports in Australia are:

Brisbane – Melbourne – Sydney

Air Freight rates

Location	Shanghai airport	Ningbo airport	Shenzhen airport
Brisbane	$997	$967	$1,052
Melbourne	$1,045	$992	$1,038
	$1,028	$991	$1,058

Note* All rates are for a door to door shipments for a cargo of 200 kg/1 cbm

Express Shipping from China to Australia

Express shipping is a door to door service that cuts down in delivery times between both countries. Currently, there are several courier service companies shuttling cargo from China to Australia. You can engage any of the following service companies to handle your express shipment.

FedEx
DHL
TNT
EMS
Alibaba

Documents required for China to Australia Shipping

Bill of Lading

A Bill of Lading is a shipping document that lays out the contractual agreement between the Shipper and the Carrier. The Carrier (Shipping company) issues this document in acknowledgment of the cargo.

Commercial Invoice

A Commercial invoice provides proof that a sale has actually taken place between the Seller and the Buyer. In this document, all relevant information about the cargo, such as its unit and value, is provided.

Packing List

A Packing List is similar to a Commercial invoice but provides extra information such as the weight and size of the cargo

Letter of Credit

A letter of credit is a formal agreement that legally binds both parties in an international trade transaction. It spells out the financial and other responsibilities between both parties.

Certificate of Origin

A COO provides information about the country in which the cargo being shipped was produced. It is also an express declaration made by the Seller or exporter, indicating that the product was indeed sourced from a particular country.

Import License

Certain products are restricted in Australia, and one of the reasons for this is to protect local producers of the same products. For an importer to bring such items into the country, he or she must obtain permission from the government in the form of an import license.

Freight Insurance

Insurance cover is required for all cargo shipped from one country to another, and the same remains the case with China to Australia shipping. Freight insurance is provided by the Carrier to protect the cargo owner from loss or damage. In some instances, the cargo owner may be required to provide his own insurance to safeguard his assets while in transit.

Test Report

This document provides proof that the cargo in transit has been tested and packaged in compliance with government regulations. This document is mandatory.

Shipping Companies

Here is a list of shipping companies that handle cargo shipments from China to Australia.

CMA/CGM – APL – Canmar – Contship – Hual – Hapag Lloyd – Marfret – MISC – MOL – NYK Line – OOCL – OWL – Ecru-Line MSC – Hamburg Sud – Spliethoff’s – Wallenius Wilhelmsen

Shipping Routes from China to Australia

When carrying cargo from China to Australia, cargo vessels ply the South China Sea off the Central East Coast and proceed southwards through the Okhotsk to connect Australia.

RFQs

What can I send in a parcel from China to Australia?

You can send items that are relatively lightweight and small in size. Gift items, electronics, mobile phones, and jewelry are common items that can be shipped in parcels.

How to choose the best freight forwarder

To choose the best freight forwarder from China for your shipment, adhere to the following key points.

Be sure of your storage and shipping needs.

Make sure you are sure of your needs for storage and shipping. The nature and quantity of your items will determine the mode of transport and storage requirements. Only hire a freight forwarder that can provide your cargo with the storage and shipping it needs.

Gauge the freight forwarder’s competence

To do this, evaluate the type and quality of services offered. Get acquainted with the terms and conditions of service, as well as the legal framework and industry terms.

Assess their level of experience

Experience is vital in the shipping industry, and that is why shippers consistently seek out forwarders with deep experience in the market. Does the forwarder ship cargo to your country? Have they handled the kind of cargo you plan to ship in the past? These are some of the vital questions to ask before making a final decision on the agent to hire.

Look out for financial stability.

Only hire a freight forwarder that is financially stable to avoid financial troubles and potential loss of cargo. Freight forwarders with ample bond cover are able to operate without unnecessary delays. Also, should losses occur while handling your cargo, compensation can be done with ease?

Evaluate the Freight forwarders’ network

Companies like XCJD Global Logistics have an extensive network of shipping companies and agents they work with. The more diverse their network, the more likely you are to enjoy an excellent and first-class service.

Is the company a member of a professional organization?

Inquire about this during your research. Forwarders who are members of professional organizations operate under a strict standard that upholds the integrity of their profession.

Check their customer service.

Customer service is vital to the smooth running of international trade. Ensure that the company you engage in has a responsive customer feedback channel that swiftly responds to inquiries and complaints posed by their clients. Waiting for long periods to get answers may not be in your best interest, especially if time is of the essence to you.