Shipping goods from China to Australia can seem daunting, but with the right information, it’s a straightforward process. Whether you’re importing machinery, electronics, toys, or consumer products, this guide covers everything you need to know about air freight, sea freight, customs, and more.
Ocean, Air and Express freight transit time from China to Australia
How long will it take to ship from China to Australia?
Your shipment’s transit time will be impacted by location, shipment size, and season. Other factors include market conditions, acts of nature, and other occurrences.
Use the following table for timing estimates for each shipping mode from China to Australia.
Freight from China to Australia: How to choose the fastest and cheapest way to ship
When you’re shipping from China to Australia, you can choose from one of four modes: FCL sea freight, LCL sea freight, or air freight. Here are key factors for each mode:
FCL Sea Freight from China to Australia
FCL, or full container load, means your goods fill an entire container, either 20’ or 40’ long. If you are shipping at a high volume, you’ll save time and money by shipping FCL. Pricing for FCL is done as a flat rate, regardless of whether or not your container is completely full. Learn more about FCL here.
LCL Sea Freight from China to Australia
LCL, or less than a container load, means your goods do not fill an entire container, and will be shipped along with other boxes or pallets. Note that when you ship LCL, your goods will need to be consolidated at the origin port and deconsolidated at the destination port. That’s why LCL shipping takes a few days longer than FCL.
Air Freight from China to Australia
Shipping by air is generally faster but more expensive than shipping by sea. For help choosing which mode is right for your shipment, use our air vs. ocean comparison calculator.
What are the typical costs of shipping goods from China to Australia
There are many factors that influence the cost of shipping goods from China to Australia.
* Size and shape of goods
* Weight
* General cargo or special cargo
* Air or sea freight
* Express or standard
* Cargo insurance (if needed)
To give you an idea, here’s a few estimates for the cost of shipping general cargo from Shanghai, China to Sydney, Australia using DHL.
| DHL Shipping Type³ | Cost (Excluding VAT) |
|---|---|
| Port to Port Sea Freight2 cardboard cartons, 50kg of goods total | From $885.69 AUD |
| Economy Airmail2 cardboard cartons, 50kg of goods total | From $1323.57 AUD |
| Port to Port Sea Freight5 pallets, 500kg of goods total | From $2306.63 AUD |
| Economy Airmail5 pallets, 500kg of goods total | From $16328.02 AUD |
| Port to Port Sea Freight20ft sea container, 2000kg of goods total | From $7510.53 AUD |
Keep in mind that prices fluctuate depending on global events and that these quotes are only for the cost of shipping and customs clearance, and don’t include VAT.
When is the best time to ship from China to Australia?
Air and sea freight rates – especially for FCL shipping – are affected by seasonal factors.
The main peak season to consider when shipping from China to Australia is from mid-August to mid-October, ahead of the Chinese New Year, Golden Week, Dragon Boat Festival, and Holiday Shopping Season. During peak times, prices increase because demand is high and container space is low. It is, therefore, cheaper to ship freight away from the peak season.
When in the month you choose to transport goods can also make a difference to the price.
It can be cheaper to book a shipment in the last two weeks of the month because carriers are trying to fill spots on vessels. The beginning of the month can be a more expensive time, as carriers can levy general rate increases on cargo spots.
Generally, the cheapest shipping costs come from booking early.
How do Chinese holidays impact international shipping timelines?
Many factories shut down and logistics hubs and ports operate at reduced capacity during major Chinese holidays, affecting supply chains and causing delays in deliveries.
Here are the top two Chinese holidays to keep in mind if you regularly import products from China:
Chinese New Year
Things come to a virtual standstill during the country’s biggest holiday. Chinese New Year is an annual 15-day festival that begins with the new moon, which usually occurs between 21 January and 20 February on the Gregorian calendar. Celebrations continue until the next full moon. In 2025, the Chinese New Year will start on 29 January.
Golden Week
Golden Week is a 7–8 day national holiday in China that celebrates the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. From 1–7 October, many factories and businesses shut down and there’s a surge in domestic travel.
The good news is that since these festival dates are known in advance, you can plan your shipments around them to avoid delays.
It can be a good idea to at least ship your goods 3–4 weeks ahead of Black Friday in the case of ocean freight. With air freight, use economy airmail until late October, then switch to express airmail from November to January, during the Black Friday, Christmas and Chinese New Year period.
November to January is considered the peak shipping season, which often leads to delivery delays. Even economy airmail can be delayed for a long time, depending on the number of economy parcels received by the delivery service.