How to import products from China to Australia

Planning to import products from China? This guide covers what to source, how to find suppliers, shipping costs, and the most cost-effective ways to pay Chinese suppliers

Key takeaways

• China is Australia’s largest trading partner, and the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has removed tariffs on more than 82% of imported goods by value
• Popular import categories include electronics, clothing, home goods, machinery, beauty products and consumer tech, sourced through B2B marketplaces, trade fairs or sourcing agents
• The total cost of an import involves more than the product price. Customs Value, Customs Duty and GST stack on top of freight and insurance before the goods are ready to clear
• Sea freight from China to Australia typically takes 22 to 26 days, while air freight takes 5 to 10 days
• Required documentation includes a commercial invoice, packing list, Certificate of Origin (for ChAFTA preference), and either an SAC or Import Declaration depending on value
• WorldFirst is an international payments provider that supports CNH payments, 1688.com supplier payments, and forward contracts to lock in exchange rates

Importing from China gives Australian businesses access to broad product ranges, competitive manufacturing costs and mature export infrastructure. China is Australia’s largest trading partner, and the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has removed tariffs on more than 82% of imported goods by value

The import process involves more than just placing an order. You need to find the right suppliers, calculate landed costs, navigate customs, and pay suppliers. This guide walks through all of these key steps

What goods can I import from China to Australia?

China is the world’s largest exporter of goods and accounts for roughly a quarter of Australia’s manufactured imports. For Australian businesses, that scale translates into an unusually broad choice of product categories, often at a lower landed cost than domestic manufacturing can match.

The most common import categories for Australian businesses include:

• Electronics and consumer tech: Phones, accessories, smart devices, cables, power banks, computer peripherals
• Clothing, textiles and footwear: Fashion apparel, uniforms, sportswear, bags, shoes
• Machinery and industrial equipment: Manufacturing machinery, workshop tools, hydraulic equipment, generators
• Home goods and homewares: Kitchenware, furniture, bedding, lighting, décor, small appliances
• Beauty and personal care: Skincare, cosmetics, haircare, grooming tools
• Toys and baby products: Plush toys, educational toys, baby gear, infant accessories
• Automotive parts and vehicle accessories: Aftermarket parts, car care products, tools
• Building materials and construction supplies: Tiles, fittings, hardware, prefab components
• Raw materials and industrial components: Plastics, metals, chemicals, parts used in domestic manufacturing

Some categories require import permits or special certifications before goods can clear Australian customs. You should make sure to check the Australian Border Force website for the current list before finalising an order.

How to find Chinese suppliers

There are three main routes for Australian businesses looking to source products in China

Online B2B marketplaces

These can be a great way to find new suppliers and compare pricing at scale, especially if you are new to sourcing from China. 1688.com and Alibaba are the two main online B2B marketplaces to start your search.

1688.com is the domestic wholesale marketplace used majorly by Chinese buyers. While you can get access to wholesale prices, the website is entirely in Mandarin and support for international cards is limited. Learn more about how to place an order on 1688 from outside China

Alibaba.com is focused more on overseas buyers which is why it comes with English-language listings, international payment methods, and support for international shipping.

→ Take a look at our Alibaba buying guide to learn more

In-person trade fairs

Attending trade fairs in China gives you something the online platforms cannot: face-to-face access to manufacturers, product samples on the spot, and the ability to see the scale and quality of a supplier’s operation.

Trade fairs also let buyers negotiate in real time, build relationships that translate into better commercial terms, and spot new product trends before they hit international markets.

The Canton Fair, held twice a year in Guangzhou, is the largest and most well-known trade event in China, covering thousands of exhibitors across nearly every consumer category.

Sourcing agents

For buyers new to importing or dealing with a language barrier, a sourcing agent acts as a local intermediary. Agents handle supplier identification, price negotiation, quality inspections, factory audits and logistics coordination on the buyer’s behalf. Most agents charge a commission on the total order value, depending on scope and complexity.

Customs Value vs Customs Duty vs GST

These are the separate charges that stack on top of each other when you import goods from China to Australia. Understanding how each is calculated is key to modelling the actual landed cost of a shipment.

Customs Value is the total value of the goods in your shipment for customs purposes, expressed in Australian dollars. It is typically based on the transaction value. The Customs Value is the base figure that drives both the Customs Duty calculation and part of the GST calculation.

Customs Duty is a tax imposed on imported goods, calculated as a percentage of the Customs Value. Rates range from 0% to 10%, with most consumer goods from China attracting a 5% rate under the general tariff. However, under ChAFTA, more than 82% of Australian imports from China now enter at zero duty (as long as the goods qualify under the rules of origin). The duty rate for your specific product depends on its HS code, the Harmonised System classification used globally for tariff purposes.

GST (Goods and Services Tax) is charged at 10% on the Taxable Importation value. The Taxable Importation is calculated as:

Customs Value + Customs Duty + International Transport + Insurance = Taxable Importation

GST is 10% of that total figure.

Shipments valued below AUD 1,000 fall under the low-value import threshold and are not subject to Customs Duty or import GST in the usual way, though suppliers may apply GST at the point of sale instead.

What are the required documentation when importing from China to Australia

A set of documents accompanies every China-to-Australia shipment, used by Customs for assessment, GST calculation, and biosecurity clearance.

Commercial Invoice.: Issued by the supplier, this document lists the goods, their HS codes, unit prices, total value, quantities, weights, Incoterms, and the identities of both the exporter and importer. It is the main reference document for Customs valuation.

Packing List: A detailed breakdown of each package in the shipment, including dimensions, weights, packaging type (cartons, boxes, crates), and the quantity of goods inside each package. It cross-references the commercial invoice.

Certificate of Origin (COO): Required if you want to claim preferential duty rates under ChAFTA. The COO must be issued by an authorised body in China (such as the China Customs Service or the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade) and confirms that the goods qualify as originating in China under ChAFTA rules. For goods manufactured in Australia or China from inputs sourced from elsewhere, you may need to show that the goods meet the specific rule of origin for their tariff classification. A COO is not required for shipments below AUD 1,000.

Import Declaration or SAC Declaration: Lodged with the ABF before the goods can be cleared. The declaration includes the goods description, tariff classification, Customs Value and importer details.

Packing Declaration (sea freight only): Describes the packing materials used in the shipment. Materials like straw, wood or bark can carry biosecurity risks and may require fumigation and a corresponding fumigation certificate. Air freight shipments do not require a Packing Declaration.

Permits, licences and certifications: Required for regulated goods such as therapeutic products, chemicals, food, agricultural items and electrical appliances. Check with the relevant Australian regulatory body before placing the order.

How much does it cost to ship from China to Australia?

Here are the three main shipping methods that you can consider

Sea freight

Sea freight is generally the most cost-effective option for larger shipments and is the default choice for businesses importing at scale. But it is also the slowest of the three options, with lead times typically measured in weeks rather than days.

Air freight

Air freight is significantly quicker than sea, but it’s also costlier. It suits high-value goods, time-sensitive orders, or smaller shipments where the speed premium is worth paying. Lead times are typically measured in days, and pricing scales with the weight and dimensions of the shipment.

Express courier

Express courier services handle door-to-door delivery through providers like DHL, FedEx and UPS. It’s the quickest option and is generally used for samples, urgent restocks and smaller parcels, rather than full production runs.

China to Australia shipping time

Shipping times depend on the method used, the origin and destination ports, and the time of year (peak season sees longer transit windows across all methods).

Note: These are only approximate timelines. You should consult with your shipping partner to get the exact timelines. Add 1 to 2 weeks on either end for inland transport from the Chinese factory to the Chinese port, and from the Australian port to your warehouse. During peak season (October to December, running into Chinese New Year), add further time to account for port congestion.

How to pay Chinese suppliers from Australia with a World Account

Suppliers in mainland China typically want to be paid in CNH or USD, since AUD often means the supplier absorbs the conversion themselves and passes the cost back through pricing.

WorldFirst is an international payments provider that helps Australian businesses manage cross-border payments. The World Account is a multi-currency account that supports 20+ local currency accounts including CNH, USD, GBP, EUR, and more.

Here’s how the World Account fits into a China import operation:

• Pay suppliers in their preferred currency: The World Account holds and sends both CNH and USD. Convert AUD when the rate suits you, hold the balance, and pay suppliers directly while keeping your margins predictable
• Lock in exchange rates with forward contracts: With forward contracts, you can lock in a rate now for a payment that settles later, giving more certainty on landed cost. Firm orders are also available to trigger an automatic conversion at a target rate (Both are subject to eligibility)
• Pay 1688.com suppliers through World Pay: World Pay is the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com. You can pay 1688 suppliers from your CNH balance without needing to open a Chinese bank account
• Pay for business expenses with the World Card: The World Card is a Mastercard-powered business payment card linked to the World Account. Use it to spend from your held currency balances directly, avoiding an AUD conversion on every transaction. Pay for international SaaS subscriptions, advertising platforms, freight, logistics or trip expenses when travelling for supplier visits. The card supports transactions in 150+ currencies and can be linked to Alipay for spending in China. Businesses can issue up to 20 cards at no additional cost, and cashback is available on eligible spending (Terms and Conditions Apply)
• Collect marketplace payouts into the same account. If you also sell internationally, you can collect payouts from 130+ marketplaces including Amazon, Etsy, AliExpress and Stripe. Hold marketplace revenue in the respective currencies until you are ready to make further payments or convert.

FAQs

1. Do I need an import licence to import from China to Australia?

Australia does not require a general import licence for most goods. However, specific product categories require permits or certifications from the relevant regulatory body, including therapeutic goods, food, chemicals, electrical appliances and firearms. Check the ABF website and the appropriate regulator before placing an order.

2. What is ChAFTA, and how do I claim the preferential duty rate?

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) is a bilateral trade agreement that reduces or eliminates tariffs on more than 82% of imports between Australia and China by value. To claim the preferential duty rate, your shipment must qualify under the ChAFTA rules of origin, and you need to present a Certificate of Origin issued by an authorised body in China at the time of import (not required for shipments below AUD 1,000).

The information contained is general only and largely our views. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information.