Shipping To Australia: Affordable Strategies And Tips

how to ship cheap to australia

Australia is a large and promising e-commerce market, with almost 70% of Australians participating in online shopping. However, shipping to Australia can be expensive, with rates often determined by factors such as package weight, dimensions, country of origin, and destination. To ship to Australia cheaply, you can use a shipping calculator to compare rates and couriers, or use a shipping software such as Easyship or Calcurates to find the best rates. USPS is also a good option, as it offers flat-rate shipping to Australia, which can save money on shipping. Other cheap options include FedEx International Connect Plus, UPS, and DHL.

Characteristics Values
Cheapest shipping option FedEx® International Connect Plus at $30.20 with a delivery time of 2-5 working days
Fastest shipping option UPS Worldwide Saver® with delivery in 2 working days at a cost of $61.71
Best value shipping option FedEx® International Connect Plus at $30.20 with a delivery time of 2-5 working days
Cheapest shipping software Calcurates
Cheapest shipping from Singapore Sea freight
Cheapest shipping for packages under 4 lbs/2 kg USPS
Cheapest shipping for packages over 4 lbs DHL
Cheapest shipping for packages from the US starting from $21.87 with Parcel Monkey
Cheapest shipping for packages from the US starting from $102 with USPS

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Shipping software

Some shipping software available in Australia includes:

  • ShippingEasy: This software helps businesses save money on shipping labels and provides an award-winning customer support system.
  • Cin7: This software offers a dashboard with important information that can be adapted to suit individual staff members.
  • Cario: This software has improved the order-to-fulfillment process for some businesses.
  • Zoho Inventory: This software offers good customer service and is scalable for online retailers to keep customers informed of their orders' progress and whereabouts.
  • Paccurate: This software generates efficient packing instructions for humans or box machines, taking into account multiple cost factors.
  • OnTime: This software offers features such as online order entry, route optimization, automatic notifications, and flexible customer pricing at a lower price.
  • EShipz: This Unified Shipping Automation Platform helps businesses improve their supply chain efficiency and reduce overall logistic costs.
  • Fresa XPress: This web-based ERP on the cloud is designed for freight forwarders, transporters, and logistic service providers to efficiently organize, manage, and monitor their business.

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Flat rate shipping

Flat-rate shipping is a straightforward pricing method with a fixed cost for shipping packages, regardless of distance (within defined shipping zones), weight, or size. This method is particularly beneficial for heavy packages and is commonly used by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to its predictability and simplicity.

With flat-rate shipping, customers can be assured of consistent and transparent shipping costs, eliminating unexpected charges and allowing for precise shipping cost planning. It also eliminates the need for weight calculations, simplifying the shipping process and allowing businesses to focus on other aspects of their operations.

USPS, for example, offers flat-rate shipping to Australia. The flat rate shipping option is available for shipping envelopes and small boxes with a weight limit of up to 4 lbs, or medium boxes up to 20 lbs. USPS has a business postage price calculator that shows shipping costs for retailers. However, it's important to note that USPS hands over all of its packages to Australia Post as soon as they reach the Australian border, so e-commerce businesses will need two tracking numbers to provide their customers.

Other carriers that ship to Australia, such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL, do not delegate their shipments to Australia Post. UPS, for example, guarantees its delivery dates and times. However, flat-rate shipping may seem costly to nearby customers and may not offer flexibility for smaller packages, potentially deterring customers with smaller items.

Flat-rate shipping is ideal for businesses shipping heavy items and prioritising simplicity. It offers a balance between cost and speed, making it a popular choice for international shippers.

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Air freight

There are a few options for air freight services to Australia. Transglobal Express offers a simple booking process for air freight, with a free quote based on the weight and dimensions of your shipment. They offer 'back-to-back' or 'consolidated' air freight services, which means you can book directly with an airline, or with an agent who has purchased space in advance and will consolidate your shipment with others. They also offer an optional collection service.

Other air freight companies that ship to Australia include Cargo Force, which offers cheap rates, and DFS Worldwide, which collects from any UK postcode and delivers to any airport in Australia.

If you are shipping from the US, USPS is a good option for packages under 4 lbs/2 kg as they offer flat-rate shipping. UPS and FedEx are also options, but they are generally more expensive.

For heavier packages, you may want to consider using a freight forwarder or a local fulfilment agency/partner to ship a pallet with multiple units via air freight. This method is charged by the footprint in a container, rather than weight, and can be a cost-effective option.

It is important to note that Australia has strict customs regulations, so it is essential to ensure that your shipment complies with the Australian Border Force requirements.

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Sea freight

There are several factors to consider when shipping via sea freight to Australia. Firstly, the type of goods being shipped and their weight and dimensions will impact the total shipping cost. Secondly, freight rates can fluctuate seasonally, with prices generally higher during the holiday shopping season in the fall. Thirdly, you should be aware that transit times can vary due to market conditions, natural occurrences, and other factors. Therefore, it is advisable to check with your chosen logistics provider for accurate estimates.

When packing your goods for sea freight, it is essential to securely wrap your items to protect them during the long journey. Use suitable shipping boxes, and consider using bubble wrap or other shock-absorbing materials to fill any gaps and cushion your items. Additionally, labelling your boxes with your name and a job number will help the shipping company during delivery.

If you are shipping at high volume, you may want to consider a full container load (FCL) option, where your goods fill an entire container. FCL shipping can save you time and money, as the pricing is done at a flat rate, regardless of whether your container is completely full. On the other hand, if you have a smaller shipment that does not fill an entire container, you can opt for less than a container load (LCL) shipping, where your goods will be shipped alongside other boxes or pallets.

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Customs declaration

When shipping to Australia, it is important to be aware of the country's customs declaration requirements. A customs declaration form is necessary for all parcels, International Courier letters, and International Express letters sent overseas.

The form can be completed online or on paper. If completed online, a QR code will be provided, which must be shown when lodging the parcel at the post office. If completed on paper, the form can be submitted at the post office counter, where a staff member will key in the declaration details.

The form requires a detailed description of the goods being shipped. Each item must be clearly identified, with a description that is specific and concise, indicating exactly what the item is and what it is made of. For example, instead of simply writing "shoes", a more acceptable description would be "men's leather shoes", "women's plastic sandals", or "kids' fabric shoes". An insufficient description may result in the shipment being held or rejected by customs, requiring more details or causing the parcel to be returned to the sender.

In addition to the item descriptions, the customs declaration form may also require the HS tariff number for the destination country. This can be obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is important to provide the correct number, as an incorrect declaration may result in additional taxes or the shipment being returned.

Frequently asked questions

The cheapest way to ship to Australia from the US is USPS, which offers flat-rate shipping for packages under 4 lbs/2 kg. FedEx® International Connect Plus is another cheap option, at $30.20 with a delivery time of 2-5 working days.

The fastest way to ship to Australia is UPS Worldwide Saver®, with delivery in 2 working days at a cost of $61.71.

Shipping costs to Australia vary depending on the carrier, package weight, dimensions, country of origin, and destination. Shipping a package from the US to Australia can start from $21.87 with Parcel Monkey, and $102 with USPS for a package weighing 4.409 lbs.

Shipping times to Australia can range from 2-10 days for express shipping, and up to 2-3 weeks for sea freight.

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