This is my complete new guide to shipping from China to Australia in 2021.
In this all-new guide you’ll learn:
- Common shipping methods to Australia
- The basic discharge ports in Australia
- The estimate shipping quotes
- How long does it take for the shipping
- How to ship from China to Australia
- The paperwork you need to prepare
- Advanced shipping tips and strategies
So no matter you are a novice or veteran, you’ll love this updated guide.
Let’s get started.
Looking for the cheapest shipping from china to australia ?
At least you should know that the price could be very different based on different shipping methods you choose.
Specifically, there are 4 menas of transport when comes to shipping from China to Australia.
And each of them have its unique benefits, drawbacks, and application conditions.
In general,
- FCL : Suitable for big volume more than 10 CBM.
- LCL : Suitable for small volume cargo.
- AIR : A fast choice, but cost more compared with sea freight.
- Courier : Most convenient when send small parcel.
| Shipping Method | Chargeable Method | Minimum Order | Service Type | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Container Type | 1 x 20ft | Port to Port | Massive Load Safe Cheap | Need to buy more | |
 LCL | CBM | 1 CBM | Port to Port | Cost Saving | Easy damage Time consuming |
 Air | KG | 100 KG | Airport to Airport | Fast | Costly |
| KG | 1 KG | Door to Door | Convenient | Costly Not suitable for many cargo |
Basic discharge ports in Australia
Besides the shipping methods, the POD ( port of discharge ) is another big factor that effect the shipping costs.
Different discharge ports and loading ports means different route and schedule.
Consequently, the transit time and shipping cost will be varies.
Tips :
To compare and choose a right POL and POD will help you obtain ideal shipping price.
These are the top ports or airports for importing into Australia:
| Port Name | Airport Code |
|---|---|
| Sydney | SYD |
| Melbourne | MEL |
| Brisbane | BNE |
| Adelaide | ADL |
| Fremantle | Perth PER |
As for the POL ( port of loading ) in China, you can find it on your supplier’s proforma invoice.
For example, if it is FOB Shenzhen, then supplier argree to load from Shenzhen.
But if the Incoterms is EXW, or you need to consolidate shipments,
Then the prior principle for your consider is the distance and local trucking fee from factory’s location to port.
Here are the top ports for exporting from China:
| Ports | Airpots |
|---|---|
| Dalian | |
| Tianjin | Beijng PEK |
| Qingao | TAO |
| Ningbo | NGB |
| Shanghai | PVG |
| Xiamen | XMN |
| Guangzhou | CAN |
| Shenzhen | SZX |
| Hongkong | HKG |
Container Shipping from China to Australia
Example Quote :
- POL : Shenzhen
- POD : Melbourne
- CARRIER : PIL
- ROUTE : Direct
- T.T : 15 Days
| 20’FT | 40’FT | 40’HQ | 45’HQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2350 | 4250 | 4250 | 4850 |
LCL Shipping from China to Australia
Example Quote :
- POL : Shanghai
- POD : Sydney
- CARRIER :HMM
- ROUTE : Direct
- T.T : 16 Days
| 1-3 CBM | 3-5 CBM | 5-10 CBM | >10 CBM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 70 | 60 | 55 |
Air Freight from China to Australia
Example Quote :
- POL : Hongkong,HKG
- POD : Sydney,SYD
- AIRLINE : CX ( Airline Hongkong )
- ROUTE : Direct
- T.T : 1-2 Days
| 100-300KG | 300-500KG | 500-1000KG | >1000KG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | 4.35 | 4.15 | 3.95 |
DHL Shipping From China to Australia
DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT and SF Express, sounds familar ?
That’s right, they are the 5 courier companies mosted used by China forwarders.
Price ?
It is charged by every weight in KG, so there is no way to give a table price.
But average courier door to door price for a load of 50 kg will exceed $ 1000.
Pay attention that :
- The above given price is just port to port, not door to door.
- Last updated in 2021/1/12
- Subject to local export fee in China which will be paid by your China supplier when FOB.
- Excludes destination import fee in Australia which you need to check from a local agent.
International shipping is complicate.
Unfortunately, you can’t expect to receive the goods tomorrow when place the order today.
Besides the transit time ( port to port or airport to aiport ) by shipping carrier itself,
More time spends in both origin export and destination import operation.
Specifially, the Customs clearance, picking up or delivery, doc processing, payment transaction, tax duty,etc
So how long does shipping from china to australia take ?
Here is a rough timeframe based on the differnt shipping services.
Tips :
Be aware of peak season like Chinese New Year holiday, always to book in advance so to avoid possible shipping delay.
| Shipping Methods / Shipping Type | Port to Port | Door to Door |
| Sea Freight (FCL) | 11-30 Days | 21-40 Days |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | 13-35 Days | 23-45 Days |
| Air Freight | 2-4 Days | 5-8 Days |
| Courier | 2-5 Days |
How to Ship from China to Australia ?
Well, you have already known the rough shipping price and time.
Then, how to get your shipment out of China and send it to your door ?
Here is step-by-step shipping procedure you can follow.
| STEP | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose a freight forwarder | Follow the 7 tips here to get your best freight forwarder china to australia. |
| 2. Ask Freight Quote | Send detail freight request to the freight forwarder |
| 3. Make the booking | Confirm the shipping quote, provide B/L instruction and make the payment |
| 4. Shipping Operation | Leave enough time to your forwarder for the export and import handling like Customs clearance, doc processing, shipment release, etc |
| 5. Track the shipment | Track your shipment online and get the real-time shipment status. |
The paperwork matters in shipping.
Some importers may be afraid that cargo could be stuck when they can’t provide necessary documents or licenses.
There is no need to worry about it. In fact, you even don’t need to provide any document.
Why ?
Check the baisc shipping documents needed when import from china.
| DOC | Offered by |
|---|---|
| Bill of lading | Carrier or Your Forwarder |
| Packing List | Your Supplier Or you can use your own format |
| Invoice | Your Supplier Or you can use your own format |
| Certificate of Origin | Your Supplier or Your Forwarder |
| Insurance Policy | Your Supplier or Your Forwarder |
| Fumigation Certificate | Your Supplier or Your Forwarder |
Shipping From China to Australia, We Got You
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