International destination listing

Get information, including limitations and rate code details, for shipping items internationally.

Shipping from

Canada

Shipping to

Australia

  • Country code: AU
  • Customs declaration language: English
  • Including: Lord Howe Island, Tasmania

Parcels

Detail Xpresspost™ - International International Parcel™ (Surface) Tracked Packet - International Small Packet™ (Air) Small Packet™ (Surface)
Rate code

Xpresspost™ - International

105

International Parcel™ (Surface)

405
05

Small Packet™ (Air)

05

Small Packet™ (Surface)

05
Maximum weight 20 kg 20 kg 2 kg

Small Packet™ (Air)

2 kg

Small Packet™ (Surface)

2 kg
Oversized availability

Xpresspost™ - International

No

International Parcel™ (Surface)

No
No

Small Packet™ (Air)

No

Small Packet™ (Surface)

No
Maximum coverage

Xpresspost™ - International

$1,000

International Parcel™ (Surface)

$1,000
$100

Small Packet™ (Air)

Not applicable

Small Packet™ (Surface)

Not applicable

 

Letter-post

Detail Description
Availability Yes
Registered Mail Yes
Valuables accepted No

Money orders

Detail Description
Availability No
Fee code Not applicable
Currency Not applicable

Import restrictions

Senders should determine import restrictions from the country's authorities before posting:

  • animals / animal products
  • bees, leeches and silkworms
  • body armor
  • brushes made of animal hair
  • children's wear made from flammable materials
  • coffee
  • cosmetic products
  • fertilisers
  • firearms and weapons
  • food or drink for human consumption
  • genetic material
  • glue – animal derived
  • heat bag/pillow
  • honey
  • laboratory materials
  • leather goods
  • meat and meat products (including fish)
  • medical Therapy Apparatus
  • money boxes
  • pet food and treats
  • pharmaceuticals or vaccines
  • products containing micro-organisms
  • queen bees and their escorts
  • seeds, plants and plant materials 
  • soil or sand
  • used clothing, footwear and headwear
  • veterinary therapeutics and vaccines 
  • weapons
  • wooden shoes
  • wood items.

Goods that are subject to import controls include but are not limited to the following:

Goods subject to censorship controls; goods, as identified by the United Nations, which are subject to trade restrictions; goods that are regulated by the Consumer Affairs Division of the Department of Treasury

Please note, this is not a complete list of goods subject to import prohibitions and restrictions. For a more complete list, please refer to the Customs (Prohibitions and Restrictions) Regulations 1956. The regulations can be found on the SCALEPlus site at (http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/num_reg_es/ciaiokafr2021202101615853.html) select "browse", then "Commonwealth Regulations", then "Cu", scroll down to the Customs (Prohibited Import) Regulations 1956.

In cases relating to intellectual property rights infringements, civil action might be taken against the importer by the owner or licensed user of a trademark or copyright.

Import restrictions might be in place to support local industry and implement international agreements.

Importers who fail to comply with import prohibitions and restrictions are subject to severe penalties.

Animal-based pet foods that do not meet biosecurity import conditions will now be directed for destruction. Importers will have the opportunity to provide documents to meet import conditions, however, if the import conditions cannot be met, the goods will be destroyed and will not be returned to the sender.

Gifts

Unsolicited gift shipments valued up to 1000 AUD are acceptable duty and tax free provided the commercial invoice includes a full description and itemized values. Gift shipments must be from individual to individual and must not contain any commercial items including company awards. Alcohol and tobacco are not acceptable as gifts and therefore are dutiable.

Prohibited items

In addition to items considered non-mailable matter, the following are prohibited:

  • animals / animal products, all
  • Anzac and goods bearing the description Anzac
  • army ordnances (live, inert or replica) or parts thereof, ammunition (live, inert or replica), military style vests with accommodation for explosives or any articles resembling the previously mentioned items
  • biological products
  • drugs
  • eggs in any form and containers used for eggs
  • electric dog collars
  • fruit and vegetables
  • fruit and vegetable cartons of any type
  • handicrafts containing dried plant material or unprocessed animal products
  • high value goods (including bullion and bank notes)
  • kava
  • ice pipes
  • lithium batteries
  • meat and dairy products
  • mineral fuels
  • narcotics
  • packaging and equipment used for the care of animals
  • pepper spray
  • plant material / seeds / soil
  • signal jamming devices
  • tablet pressers
  • tobacco products
  • printed matter advertising illicit goods
  • straw and plant material used as packing
  • thermometers containing mercury
  • used bedding
  • valuables

The seizure of prohibited goods on entry into Australia is often carried out by Customs on behalf of other government agencies. Importers are advised to pre-check what goods are covered by prohibits as they are subject to change. The following is a non-comprehensive list of items that are prohibited entry into Australia: goods bearing certain official emblems or designs (i.e. ANZAC); goods bearing incorrect or misleading labels or markings; goods which infringe on trade marks, copyrights or Olympic insignia; certain goods related to cultural heritage (i.e. goods from Papua New Guinea); milk (except from New Zealand)

Importers who fail to comply with import prohibitions and restrictions are subject to severe penalties.

Goods and Services Tax (GST):

If a merchant in Canada conducts AUD$75,000+/year with Australian consumers, the Canadian merchant must start collecting the 10% GST on goods sold to consumers in Australia valued at AUD$1,000 or less.

The company will need to register for GST collection with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and their ATO registration number can be printed on the CN23 (sender customs reference). The merchant will collect the 10% GST from the consumer and then remit to the ATO.

If the recipient is a business, they need to provide their Australian Business Number (ABN), which can be printed on the CN23 (importer customs reference), in order to claim the GST back.

  • The de minimis value for taxes and duties is AUD 1,000, except for alcohol and tobacco where it is AUD 0 (zero). The de Minimis for the GST is still AUD$1000 if the company they have purchased from is under the AUD$75,000 threshold.

Documentation required

Information regarding Customs can be found in "Customs Requirements" of the Canada Postal Guide.

In addition, for Registered items mailed to Australia, a signature on delivery will only be obtained if the item is accompanied by an Advice of Receipt card or a Customs label CN22 indicating the value of the contents.

Document Requirements

All shipments tendered to Federal Express should have an International Airway Bill as well as a completed Commercial Invoice that covers each of the following: invoice terms (FOB, CIF, etc); currency (US dollars, AU dollars, etc); name and complete address of the consignor and consignee; complete description of the goods; country of origin of the goods; quantity of the goods, selling price of the goods to the buyer; labour costs incurred in packing the goods; value of the outside packages; amount of any royalties paid; amounts of any freight or insurance costs associated with the transport to Australia; any details that might affect the selling price such as discounts, rebates, compensation, etc. The customer is also responsible for securing any licences and/or permits required for clearance of the goods as regulated by any other government agency(s).

Imported plant products and seeds for sowing must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate that includes the following additional declaration: “Representative samples were inspected and found free from evidence of any species of Trogoderma (whether live, dead or exuviae) in Australia’s list of Trogoderma species of biosecurity concern”.

All multiple piece shipments (MPS) require a commercial invoice detailing the contents of each individual package within the shipment.