America and Australia share over 50 billion traded goods each year—that’s a lot of packages! Whether you’re sending a gift or your personal items, there are several key points to consider such as shipping costs, delivery times, customs regulations, and package restrictions. With such a long distance, it’s important to understand the process.
At Remitly, we understand how important it is to receive your package with ease. In this guide, we’ll cover the different options for delivery, Australian customs and import duties, as well as money-saving tips. Whether you live in Australia or are planning to move there, we hope this information can help you plan accordingly so there are no surprises along the way.
Shipping options: What works best
Much like sending money overseas, there are several different options you can choose from when sending a package from America to Australia. These factors can depend on your budget, timeline, and the type of item you’re sending.
Below is an example of several popular options for shipping with their average cost and delivery time in business days for a 2kg package shipped from Los Angeles to Sydney.
| Company | Average Cost | Average Delivery Time | Key Features |
| FedEx | $36-$106 AUD | 2-5 days | Express services, reliable tracking, competitive rates |
| DHL | $300-$450 AUD | 1-3 days | Large network, customs expertise, express shipping options |
| UPS | $120-$200 AUD | 3-6 days | Variety of services, timely delivery, reliable tracking |
| USPS with Australia Post | $65-$120 AUD | 6-10 days | Domestic delivery expertise, international partnerships |
| Sea Freight | From $1000 AUD | 4-8 weeks | For larger items, cost in 1 cubic meter of container |
There are lots of handy websites you can reference when figuring out costs for your specific goods, such as Easy Ship, DHL, USPS, and Freightos.
And say you want a product from a company that doesn’t ship from America to Australia, you can use a package forwarding service. This can also be useful if you have to consolidate multiple items you purchased from different stores. Some popular companies for international parcel delivery include Viking Ship, Stackry, and MyUS.
Understanding shipping costs and fees
The total cost of shipping an item from America to Australia is going to depend on weight, size, and the total distance of delivery.
The shipping fees outlined above can give you a rough estimate, but it’s important to budget for some additional costs on the final bill. This includes things like fuel surcharges or handling fees.
Fuel surcharge fees can vary greatly, as fuel prices constantly change, but you can expect anywhere from 15-25% of the total shipping cost in fuel surcharge.
Handling fees are charged by the courier to cover labour costs and any overheads. They can range anywhere from $7 to $18 AUD depending on the item.
If your item is valuable, such as electronics or jewelry, insurance is a good option to give you peace of mind. Most couriers provide their own in-house insurance, which can start at around $7 AUD.
Finally, currency conversion fluctuates daily and may change the total cost of your final shipment.
Let’s return to the example we used above:
A 2kg book shipped using FedEx International Economy would have a basic shipping cost of $197 AUD. The fuel surcharge fee could be an extra 15%- so $30 AUD in this case. The average handling fees would be around $13 AUD. So, all together the final cost of shipping a 2kg book from Los Angeles to Sydney would be around $240 AUD.
Navigate Australian customs and import duties like a pro
Understanding international shipping goes beyond picking the right postal service. It’s equally important to look into the rules and regulations of shipping abroad, specifically Australia’s import requirements.
Items worth under $1,000 AUD are considered duty free. This means there’s no need to pay the customs tax. Items over $1,000 AUD require an additional 10% of Goods and Services tax, as well as additional paperwork.
Australia also has strict biosafety rules to protect the local food sources and ecosystem. Prohibited items include any fresh food, meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables. Additionally, hazardous materials are not allowed like weapons, firearms, knives, explosives, certain chemicals, or lithium batteries not packed properly.
Some items are restricted and need special permits and documentation like alcohol, tobacco, medicines, vitamins, and animal products like ivory, skins, and fur.
To avoid any complications with receiving your package, here are some tips:
- Fill out a commercial invoice with accurate descriptions like “2 cotton T-shirts” instead of general terms like “clothing”.
- State the correct value in USD (carrier may also convert to AUD for customs).
- Include sender and recipient contact details (name, address, phone, email).
- Attach an air waybill/shipping label provided by your carrier.
- If the goods are worth over $1,000 AUD, be ready for an import declaration (usually handled by the courier).
- For restricted goods, obtain any permits/certificates needed in advance.
- Keep a copy of all documents for your records.
America to Australia delivery timeframes: What to expect
It’s important to understand the delivery options to ensure your package is delivered within your desired timeframe.
DHL, FedEx, and UPS offer express services that guarantee delivery between 2-5 business days, complete with tracking capabilities. If you can spare extra time for your delivery, standard shipping, for example with USPS partnered with the Australian Post, is more affordable overall but could take longer (6-10 business days on average).
Keep in mind some common delays that could affect your post, such as customs clearance, or incorrect address information.
Make sure to plan for seasonal delays, as holidays and peak seasons can delay packages significantly by days or weeks. Tracking your package using your tracking number is recommended to keep an eye on your expected delivery. This number is given to you at the time of shipping, so make sure to keep it handy.
Money-saving tips for international shipping
While shipping internationally can be costly depending on the item or season, there are a few tips to help keep the cost more affordable and budget-friendly.
- Consolidate packages: Place several items in one package to reduce per-item cost.
- Choose packaging carefully: Select the smallest packaging possible to reduce size/ weight fees.
- Schedule smart: Avoid sending during peak season to avoid surcharges.
- Use package forwarding: Services like MyUS can combine purchases from different retailers and keep the overall cost lower.
Common challenges and solutions
International shipping can sometimes come with challenges. Knowing how to handle them can help make the whole process less stressful.
- Address formatting: Double-check that the Australian address format is correct.
- Size restrictions: Look-up shipping size limits to reduce costly extras.
- Damaged or lost package: Make sure to keep the receipt handy to file a claim for a quick refund.
- Customs delays: Make sure you have the correct documentation needed to reduce issues. Alternatively, you can hire a broker to speed up the clearance time.
You can do it
Shipping from America to Australia can be easy if you follow a few key steps. First, choose the right service based on how quickly you need your item to arrive. You can choose from the fastest Express Shipping with 2-5 business day turnaround, or the slowest with Sea Freight with around 4-6 weeks turnaround.
Next, take into account all additional costs beyond base rate shipping cost so there are no surprises: this is things like handling fees, fuel surcharges, and insurance. Finally, be sure to prepare the correct documentation for customs control. With this knowledge and preparation, shipping doesn’t have to be complicated.
Using shipping calculators like Shipping Monkey can be helpful to compare the cost and timeframe of package deliveries. Be sure to browse on the official websites of couriers to stay safe online. Additionally, take a look at the Australian Border Force website for more detailed information.
FAQs
How much does it cost to ship items from America to Australia?
Shipping from America to Australia can cost anywhere from $30 AUD for the smallest and most economical package up to $1000 AUD for larger items shipped by freight. It’s important to look at the available options and choose what works best based on your timeframe and budget.
How long can it take to ship between the two countries?
Shipping time can vary depending on the mode of transportation and courier service. Air freight can take anywhere from 1-10 business days, depending on if it is an express service. Sea freight takes longer at an average of 4-8 weeks.
What happens if my parcel is delayed?
Delays can happen, especially if your package has problems in customs or is shipped during peak season. It’s important to keep your tracking number handy to be able to locate your package. Be sure to only use the tracking number link provided, and never click on a link sent to you from an unknown number to avoid package related scams.