Sending a parcel to Australia
Prices, delivery times, customs rules and the best carriers for shipping a parcel to Australia. Independent comparison updated 2026.
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Summary
At a glance
A parcel to Australia arrives in 10–15 days (standard) or 4–7 days (express). Non-EU country — VAT from 0 €, customs duty from 1000 €. Best carriers: dhl-express, fedex, ups.
Quick facts
Sending a parcel to Australia
schedule Updated
Summary
A parcel to Australia arrives in 10–15 days (standard) or 4–7 days (express). Non-EU country — VAT from 0 €, customs duty from 1000 €. Best carriers: dhl-express, fedex, ups.
- Region
- oceania
- EU
- No
- Currency
- AUD
- Standard delivery
- 10–15 days
- Express delivery
- 4–7 days
- Customs duty from
- 1000 €
- VAT
- from 0 €
- CN23 required
- Yes
Carrier comparison
Carriers for Australia
| Carrier | Business days from carrier pickup. Does not include weekends or public holidays. | Indicative price for a 10 kg parcel. Calculated from average market rates — varies by season, volume and fuel surcharges. | Key strengths | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 DHL Express Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–2 days | 263 € | Fastest for non-EU destinations · Door-to-door in 72h worldwide | Detailsarrow_forward |
 FedEx Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–3 days | 241 € | Strong USA and Asia network · Fast intercontinental delivery (2–4 days) | Detailsarrow_forward |
 UPS Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–3 days | 231 € | Worldwide coverage in 220+ countries · UPS Saver express service (1–3 days outside EU) | Detailsarrow_forward |
 Česká pošta Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 3–5 days | 95 € | Pokrývá celý svět · Nejlevnější pro zásilky nad 2 kg mimo EU | Detailsarrow_forward |
Price by weight
Price by weight
Price curve for a parcel to Australia
Values are averages of the cheapest standard and fastest express service. Actual price depends on the carrier.
Prices by weight
Indicative prices and delivery time
| Weight | Standard shipping — balanced choice. Parcel typically arrives in 2–5 business days. Includes tracking. | Express shipping — priority handling and delivery in 1–2 business days. Surcharge is typically 50–150 % over standard. |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | 38 € | 82 € |
| 5 kg | 62 € | 125 € |
| 10 kg | 105 € | 195 € |
| 20 kg | 180 € | 320 € |
Prices are indicative, the actual amount depends on the carrier, exchange rate and seasonal surcharges. See the carrier comparison table below for exact numbers.
Customs
Australia is known for the world's strictest biosecurity controls. GST (Goods and Services Tax) of 10% applies from the first euro of declared value. Customs duty applies on shipments above 1,000 AUD (approx. €600), with most goods at 0–5%. The critical risk is biosecurity: Australian Border Force x-rays and manually inspects all incoming shipments. Anything organic — seeds, wooden items, food, used outdoor footwear, cosmetics with natural ingredients — may be seized and destroyed or returned at the sender's expense.
Required documents
- CN22 is a simplified customs declaration for parcels up to 2 kg and €270 in value. Completed at the post office or generated by the carrier. Without CN22, the parcel may be held at customs.
- CN23 is a full customs declaration for parcels over 2 kg or above €270. You must list each item's description, quantity, weight and customs value. Issued at the post office or generated by the carrier.
- Full contents declaration in English
- Phytosanitary certificate for plant material
Prohibited items
These items cannot be shipped to Australia.
- Weapons and ammunition
- Drugs
- Plant seeds and bulbs
- Wooden items (including decorative)
- Food (including dried goods)
- Used outdoor footwear and equipment (soil contamination risk)
- Cosmetics with natural/plant ingredients
- Knives and defensive weapons
Free tool
How much will you pay when importing from Australia?
Enter the goods value, select a category, and get an exact cost breakdown including customs duty and VAT.
Data accuracy
Indicative information — verify at source
Shipping prices, delivery times and customs limits change over time and may differ by carrier, volume and season. Values on this page are indicative — they help you decide which carrier to pick, not to calculate a binding price. Before shipping, always verify current rates and conditions with the chosen carrier and the customs authority of Australia.
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How does parcel delivery work in Australia?
Australia is a unique shipping destination — distant, expensive, and subject to the world's strictest biosecurity controls. While customs clearance is straightforward (GST 10% from the first euro, duty above ~AUD 1,000), the real risk when shipping to Australia is Australian Border Force biosecurity screening. All parcels are x-rayed and may be opened for manual inspection. Anything organic — seeds, herbs, wooden decorations, used footwear with soil residue, cosmetics with plant extracts — is at risk of seizure, destruction, or return at the sender's cost.
Delivery time depends on the carrier: via postal service, shipments take 3–6 weeks with limited tracking. DHL Express or FedEx deliver door-to-door in 4–7 days with full tracking and dedicated customs assistance. For valuable shipments (electronics, luxury goods), an express courier is the only sensible choice — loss rates on postal routes from Europe to Sydney are non-trivial.
Practically: always include a detailed English description on the CN23 ("cotton T-shirt, used, value EUR 15") — never write generic "clothes" or "gift". Do not include any food or plant material even as a small extra gift — Australian customs treats these with zero tolerance and may hold the entire shipment.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why did Australian customs seize my parcel?
Almost certainly biosecurity. If the parcel contained anything organic — seeds, dried herbs, wooden decorations, leather, used footwear with soil residue, or cosmetics with plant extracts — Australian Border Force treats it as an invasive species risk. The outcome is typically "destroy or return at sender's expense." Prevention: declare every item in detail, never include "small gifts" with unknown contents, and avoid any natural materials.
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