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ArabicShipping from China to Australia|Sea & Air Freight
China is the largest market for Australia’s export, and also the largest source of imports. In 2015, the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement came into force, which has been bringing more opportunities for both countries. Despite the trade fight, the two-way trade volume is still on the rise. As a China based freight forwarding company serving Australia, we are here to share this guide on shipping from China to Australia, the content includes available shipping method, timing, cost, how to ship goods from China, and what to expect from a freight forwarder for your China-Australia shipment handling, etc.
From China to Australia, 2 main modes of transportation, sea and air shipping.
Sea freight from China to Australia
Sea freight is the main choice for all importers and exporters who needs shipping from China to Australia. If you got plenty of time, and your supply chain requires you to move the goods on a certain budget, sea freight is the right option, as it’s the most cost-efficient one. More advantages of sea freight: high shipping capacity, and ability to carry large and heavy equipment while air shipping is not feasible.
FCL, full container load: shipping your goods in a container exclusively for you from China to Australia.
LCL, less than container load: Sharing a container with clients who also have goods to ship from the same origin and destination at the same time. Naturally, due to more extra work involved, LCL is more expensive and takes longer than FCL, but a still a good choice for small business.
Additionally, we handle OOG cargo from China, bulk cargo ship, RORO ship as well.
Our sea freight forwarding services to Australia cover all China major ports, Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, etc.
Major ports in Australia
SydneyThe Port of Sydney is situated in Botany Bay, thus got the name Port Botany. It’s one of the first major ports in the country, playing a key role in the country’s development.
Second largest container port in Australia
Container throughput in 2021 was 2.7 million TEU
Melbourne
The Port of Melbourne is the largest ports for containerized and general cargo in Australia. It is a key economic asset for businesses and people across Victoria and south-eastern Australia. In 2021, this port handled 3.3 million TEU.
Brisbane
The port of Brisbane is the 3rd busiest port in Australia, and also the fastest growing container port in the country.
The first port in Australia that used automated container handling equipment
2021 container throughput was 1.55 million TEU
Fremantle
The port of Fremantle is the largest and busiest cargo port in Western Australia. This port handles almost all container shipments for the West part.
In the 12 months of 2021, Fremantle handled 0.778 million TEU.
Adelaide
Port of Adelaide is the largest port in South Australia, main gateway for South Australia’s inbound and outbound cargoes
Darwin
The port of Darwin is located in the northern part of Australia, and it’s the nearest port to Asia, which makes it the perfect gateway for trading with Asia.
Hedland
Port of Hedland is located on the coast of northwest Australia.
Exports include iron ore, lithium and salt
One of the largest iron ore loading ports in the world and the largest in Australia.
The Port of Hedland handles more than 452 million tons of cargo every year.
If you are interested in shipping to an Australian port from China, consult us for a shipping solution and freight quote, and start a stress-free freight forwarding service.
Air freight from China to Australia
Air freight ensures a fast delivery of shipment from China to Australia, undoubtedly, at higher cost. China to Australia, air shipment transit time usually ranges from 3 to 7 days. There may be cases when time is the top priority, cost matters little or the supply chain is well funded, cargoes air shipped from China are high value products, urgent order for an event, perishable goods which can’t wait one month to cross the ocean, then shipping from China to Australia by air is the perfect choice.
There are more advantages of air freight than just speed, shorter lead time, and higher level of security.
Air shipping wont’ be practically feasible when it comes to shipping oversized equipment, or financially feasible when shipping bulk cargo from China to Australia, that’s where sea freight kicks in.
Contact us when you are having a hard time making decision which shipping method to choose, and get a shipping quote from China.
Major airports of Australia
Sydney (SYD)
The busiest airport in Australia
Over 40% of the country’s cargo traffic is processed by SYD
Melbourne (MEL)
The second busiest airport in Australia
Melbourne airport handles more than 30% of Australia’s air freight
Brisbane (BNE)
The third largest air freight hub in Australia
How long does it to ship goods from China to Australia?
Cargo shipping from China to Australia takes at least 1 day, and up to 1 month, depending on many factors, such as shipping method, port/airport, route, service chosen, weather, seasonal change of shipping market, etc.China-Australia sea freight transit time
Sea container shipping transit time from China to Australia(Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)| POL | POD | Transit time |
| Shanghai | Sydney | 17 days |
| Shanghai | Melbourne | 20 days |
| Shanghai | Brisbane | 18 days |
| Shenzhen | Sydney | 12 days |
| Shenzhen | Melbourne | 15 days |
| Shenzhen | Brisbane | 12 days |
| Qingdao | Sydney | 20 days |
| Qingdao | Melbourne | 22 days |
| Qingdao | Brisbane | 25 days |
FYI: Shanghai in East China, Shenzhen South China, and Qingdao North China
Data from these 3 ports is enough to demonstrate the sea shipping time from China to Australia.
Above transit time is for full container load shipping, port to port, not door to door
For LCL shipping time estimate, pls add 7-10 days
China-Australia air shipping transit time
Cargo air shipped from China takes at least 1 day to arrive in Australia, with an average range of transit time is 3-7 days, depending on the airports, route, and service chosen.There are direct flight routes between some Chinese airports and Australian airports, like Shanghai to Sydney, Guangzhou to Brisbane. Air shipment transit time can be only 1 day, arrive on the same day of departure. In most cases, shipping from China to Australia by air takes 3-7 days.
However, the available flight routes are changing, contact us and submit your shipment details to get a freight solution and shipping cost from China to Australia.
How much does it cost to ship from China to Australia?
Knowing how much shipping costs from China to Australia is of essence to business. After comparing with your competitors, considering your markup, you can then decide the selling price. Shipping cost is an indispensable, and sometimes constitutes a large percentage of the final landed cost of imported goods. As rule of thumb, the faster you want your shipment, the more you’ll have to pay for shipping. 
A “landed cost” is the final cost of product plus all associated shipping and logistics costs for delivering the goods to its destination, with insurance and import duty paid.
The formula can be simplified as: product cost + shipping + insurance + import duty
However, the shipping market is not always set in stone, it’s fast changing. Sea and air freight rates fluctuate with time, affected by supply and demand relationship, and carrier’s strategic adjustment. The variables are many, and the variances are frequent, making it difficult to provide a general estimate of shipping cost from China to Australia.
Contact a China freight forwarder for a China-Australia shipping solution and get the latest shipping quote.
Best way to ship from China to Australia
There’s no universal “best way” of shipping from China to Australia. Every client is different, and has his specific conditions, requirements at the specific time, plus the fast changing shipping market. The best way and easiest way is with a reliable China freight forwarder for their expertise, insight and networks.1. The type of goods and its value
2. How quickly you need your goods
3. The load of your goods (size, weight, quantity) or simply share the packing list
4. Supplier address (origin seaport/airport), delivery address(destination seaport/airport)
5. Goods ready time
Submit the info below to your freight forwarder, hopefully us, and ask for a China-Australia shipping solution, and you are on the “best way” to a pleasant shipping experience.
Get a quote from us
China-Australia freight forwarder
Shipping from China to Australia is a tough job, so why not let the professional do the professional things? Using a reputable freight forwarding company to manage your freight from China to Australia enable you to put more time and energy on your core business. With the right hands, your shipment will be taken good care of, accelerated, and freight management made simple. 
Moreover, airlines and sea carriers have limited reach, however, through our freight forwarding service, door to door is made possible.
Door to door shipping from China to Australia
Sometimes maybe clients are not interested in handling the shipping process or papers, they just want to find a freight forwarder that takes care of everything. UCS provides customers the easiest one-stop shipping solution, i.e. to have their goods shipped from China to Australia door to door. No matter what your shipment is, whether you are shipping a private address, or commercial address or FBA address, regardless of which shipping method you prefer, sea, air, we got you covered. China-Australia door to door shipping is made easy. You are released from all the complexity and perplexity related to international shipping.
How to ship from China to Australia
Step 1: Contact a freight forwarder; a China based one is preferred. (More on “Why you should work with a local China freight forwarder”)Step 2: Provide shipment details and get a shipping quote from China
Step 3: Connect forwarder with supplier, forwarder does his job
Step 4: Get cargo insurance (optional)
Step 5: Arrange customs clearance
Why us when importing and shipping from China to Australia
We are China based freight forwarder, specialized and experienced in international logistics for import and export business. We help small business to grow, large business to expand. For importers from Australia, we have the below reasons for you to choose us as freight forwarder for your freight shipping from China.
- Quick Response, high efficiency
- Communication
- Professionalism, agility, accuracy
- Our logistics expertise, local and global connections
- Cost-saving
- Dedicated, focused
- Higher attention & tailored shipping solution
As one of leading freight forwarders for Australia market, we connect China with Australian business. Our expertise and experience allow us to provide the most accurate answers and the optimal shipping solutions tailored to your needs.
If you are interested in shipping from China to Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle, Adelaide, Darwin, Hedland, etc. ), whether by sea or air, reach out to one of the top China freight forwarders for a the easiest one-stop shipping solution. Contact us, get a shipping quote for your China-Australia shipment.
