First Time Importer Help Centre
This page is your plain English starting point for importing into Australia. It is built from the real questions we hear every week from product based businesses, first time importers, and founders who want clarity before they spend money.
Want the full end to end overview first? Start with Importing into Australia then move into the step by step guide and cost planning below.
Jump to a question
Is importing risky?
Importing is rarely risky because of the freight. It feels risky because people do not know the process, the documents, and the decision points. When you understand supplier terms, product compliance, landed costs, and clearance requirements, importing becomes a project with steps, not a gamble.
If you want the full step by step map, read: How to import goods into Australia.
Do I need a business to import into Australia?
You can import as an individual or as a business. The practical difference is how you manage tax, GST, and record keeping. If you want to claim GST credits or use specific GST arrangements, you will need the right registrations in place.
Official guidance: Australian Border Force import requirements.
What is landed cost and why is it different from shipping cost?
Shipping cost is the cost to move cargo. Landed cost is the true cost to get your stock into Australia and ready to sell. Landed cost can include manufacturing, international freight, customs clearance, duty (if applicable), GST, port and terminal charges, and local delivery.
Start here: How to calculate landed cost. Official reference on GST and import taxes: ABF GST and other taxes.
Should I ship by sea or air?
Sea freight is usually better for margin when you are moving bulkier or heavier stock, and you can plan ahead. Air freight is usually better when time matters more than cost, or when your product is high value relative to its weight and volume. The best option is the one that protects your cash flow and stock rhythm, not the one with the cheapest headline rate.
Read: Sea freight vs air freight.
How long does importing take?
Lead time is a mix of production time plus transit time plus clearance and delivery time. Many delays happen because the plan starts too late, documents are missing, or biosecurity requirements are discovered after the shipment is already moving. If you plan backwards from your launch date, importing becomes much more predictable.
Helpful deep dive: How international freight works.
What documents do I need for my first import?
Most shipments rely on a commercial invoice, packing list, and a transport document (bill of lading for sea freight or air waybill for air freight). Some products also require permits, treatments, declarations, or additional compliance documents depending on what you import and how it is packaged.
If you want to see the end to end process: How to import goods into Australia. Official overview: business.gov.au importing and your business.
What is customs clearance in Australia?
Customs clearance is the process of lodging an import declaration, classifying goods correctly, and assessing duty and GST so your cargo can be released. Delays usually come from incorrect values, missing documents, wrong commodity classification, or goods being held for checks.
Read: Customs clearance in Australia explained. Official cost reference: ABF cost of importing goods.
What is BICON and why does biosecurity matter so much?
Australia has strict biosecurity rules to prevent pests and diseases entering the country. BICON is the official database that outlines import conditions for many products. Biosecurity issues can be triggered by the commodity itself, contamination risk, wooden packaging, or how goods have been used or stored before shipment.
Read: BICON and quarantine guide. Official links: BICON database and DAFF importing overview.
How do I avoid supplier scams and bad surprises?
The safest path is to validate suppliers, order samples, confirm specifications in writing, agree on clear payment terms, and understand Incoterms so you know who is responsible for each part of the shipment. Many expensive mistakes happen when people buy on price before they buy on process.
Do I need a freight forwarder or can I do it myself?
You can do it yourself, but most founders choose a forwarder because importing is a coordination job plus a compliance job. The value is not just booking freight. It is planning, document control, visibility on costs, and preventing delays that chew through margins and timelines.
Read: What a freight forwarder actually does and How to choose the best freight forwarder.
Quick next steps
- Read the full process overview so you know what happens end to end.
- Calculate landed cost before you confirm production so your pricing is protected.
- Check biosecurity requirements early, especially for wood, food, organic materials, and anything that may carry contamination risk.
Start here: Importing into Australia and Useful Stuff.
Author: Christine Kankkunen, Founder of Pivot Freight Solutions and creator of She Freights
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