Cheapest Way to Ship to Australia from the US
The cheapest way to ship to Australia depends on weight, size, speed and the 10% GST your buyer may owe.
- Up to 4 lb: USPS First-Class Package International Service®
- Heavier: USPS Priority Mail International® or UPS®
- Every order: plan for 10% Australian GST
Free shipping software, no subscription. Your first 200 labels have no Rollo fee; carrier postage is separate.
Shipping from the US to Australia: the main services compared
For light parcels up to 4 lb, USPS First-Class Package International Service® is the usual starting point. Heavier or faster parcels: compare USPS Priority Mail International® with UPS® services.
More details
Australia is long-haul, so speed costs more than to nearer markets. Shortlist two or three services, then compare live rates for your exact weight and box. Australia is in USPS Price Group 12, and courier rates depend on the service and account.
| Service | Best for | Weight limit to Australia | Billable weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS First-Class Package International Service® | Light merchandise | 4 lb | Actual weight and price group |
| USPS Priority Mail International® | Heavier parcels, flat-rate options | 66 lb | Actual weight; larger parcels can be priced on size |
| USPS Priority Mail Express International® | Fastest USPS option | 66 lb | Actual weight; larger parcels can be priced on size |
| UPS® international services | Courier tracking end to end | Confirm the service maximum | Greater of actual and dimensional weight |
| FedEx international services (connect your own account) | Courier, on your own FedEx rates | Confirm the service maximum | Greater of actual and dimensional weight |
How much does it cost to ship to Australia?
It depends on billable weight, box size, speed, tracking and surcharges, plus 10% GST on the order. Compare the all-in cost, not the sticker rate.
Billable weight
Couriers bill the greater of actual and dimensional weight, so a light item in a big box is billed on its size.
GST and the A$1,000 line
Australia charges 10% GST on imported goods; who collects it depends on the A$1,000 threshold.
Distance and speed
Australia is long-haul. Buy only the speed the order genuinely needs.
Tracking
Couriers track end to end. Check tracking on postal services before choosing on price alone.
Duty over A$1,000
Over A$1,000, duty may apply at a rate set by the tariff classification, plus clearance charges at the border.
Surcharges and packaging
Fuel and other surcharges sit on top of base rates, and right-sizing the box lowers billable weight.
More details
Cheapest postage is only half the cost
The lowest sticker price can hide slow transit with limited tracking, GST owed on the order, and the risk of a parcel held at biosecurity. Compare landed cost and delivery experience, not just postage.
Dimensional weight to Australia, in plain English
Couriers compare actual weight with dimensional weight, a figure based on box size, and bill whichever is higher.
UPS® international: (L × W × H in inches) ÷ 139 = dimensional pounds
Metric: (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 5,000 = dimensional kg. Round each measurement up first.
Divisors and rounding rules
UPS® rounds each dimension up to the next whole inch (or centimetre) before applying the divisor, and bills the greater of actual and dimensional weight.
USPS international services are priced by weight and country price group, and larger USPS parcels can be priced on size. Check the current USPS rules for your service before relying on size-based savings.
FedEx rates come from your own FedEx account, so check the dimensional rules in your FedEx agreement.
Right-size the box
Use the smallest box that protects the contents. A smaller box lowers courier billable weight and keeps parcels inside USPS size limits.
Australian GST, the A$1,000 threshold and your landed cost
Australia charges 10% GST on imported goods. At A$1,000 or less, registered sellers collect it at checkout; over A$1,000, GST, duty and clearance charges are paid at the border.
| Customs value | Customs duty | GST (10%) | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sold goods, A$1,000 or less | None at the border | Charged at the point of sale | The seller, once registered for Australian GST. Marketplaces usually handle it for their sellers. |
| Over A$1,000 | May apply, set by tariff classification | Charged at the border | The importer, unless you prepay with DDP. |
| Several low-value items in one consignment over A$1,000 | May apply | Charged at the border | The importer at the border, as the consignment total is over A$1,000. |
More details
These rules have applied since 1 July 2018. The threshold uses the customs value of the goods: the sale price minus freight and insurance. Alcohol and tobacco products are excluded from the low-value rules and attract other taxes and duties at the border.
If several low-value items ship together as one consignment with a total customs value over A$1,000, the consignment is taxed at the border. A seller who is sure the items will ship together can skip charging GST at sale; otherwise make sure GST is not charged twice.
Overseas sellers must register for Australian GST once their GST turnover from sales connected with Australia reaches A$75,000 over 12 months.
Who pays the duties: DDP vs DDU
Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)
You prepay Australian GST and any duty, so your buyer pays nothing extra on delivery.
Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) / DAP (Delivered at Place)
Your buyer pays the GST, any duty and a carrier fee before the parcel is released.
Worked example: A$400 vs A$1,500
A 2 lb order with A$400 of goods is under 4 lb, so USPS First-Class Package International Service® is a candidate. It is under A$1,000, so no customs duty applies, but 10% GST (A$40) is charged at checkout by a GST-registered seller.
At A$1,500 the order crosses A$1,000: an import declaration is needed, duty may apply at the tariff rate, and GST plus clearance charges are collected at the border. That is a good reason to consider DDP.
Customs forms and what you can’t ship to Australia
Every parcel to Australia needs a customs declaration with a clear description, value, origin and tariff code. Australia’s biosecurity rules are strict, so check items before you pack.
USPS customs forms
USPS uses PS Form 2976 for First-Class Package International Service® and PS Form 2976-B for merchandise on Priority Mail services.
What every form needs
A specific description of each item, quantity, value, country of origin and a Harmonized System (HS) tariff code.
Biosecurity
Food, seeds, plants, soil, untreated wood and many animal products are prohibited or need an import permit.
More on restricted items
Straw and other plant material must not be used as packaging, and used footwear or camping gear must be cleaned of soil and seeds. Weapons, certain medicines, laser pointers and counterfeit goods are restricted or prohibited.
Check anything organic or unusual in the Australian government’s BICON import-conditions database and declare contents accurately. This is general information, not legal advice.
Cheapest shipping to Australia by parcel type
Match the service to the parcel: a light postal service under 4 lb, Priority Mail International® or a courier above that, and a courier for heavy boxes.
Small package
Up to 4 lb, compare USPS First-Class Package International Service® first.
A box over 4 lb
Compare USPS Priority Mail International® with UPS® international services.
Heavy parcel
USPS services to Australia stop at 66 lb, so heavier boxes go by courier.
Documents
Paper documents with no commercial value use the USPS business-papers customs form.
With tracking
Priority Mail International® and couriers include tracking; check it before choosing on price.
Duties prepaid (DDP)
Choose a service with a DDP option to spare your buyer a GST bill on delivery.
The five-minute US-to-Australia checklist
Six steps that prevent most adjustments, delays and refused parcels on the way to Australia.
Weigh and measure the parcel
Use a scale and a tape measure on the sealed parcel.
Right-size the box
A smaller box lowers courier dimensional weight.
Check weight and value limits
Under 4 lb, start with First-Class Package International Service®; note where the order sits against A$1,000.
Check biosecurity before you pack
Check anything organic or unusual in BICON and avoid straw or food cartons as packaging.
Handle GST and duty
Charge 10% GST at checkout once registered; over A$1,000, choose DDP or buyer-paid.
Compare, then print
Enter the same weight, size and value for each carrier, then print the label and customs form.
Available in Rollo Ship: carriers to Australia
Rollo Ship is free shipping software. USPS and UPS® are built in with discounted rates, and you can connect your own FedEx account to compare it in the same screen.
USPS (built in)
Up to 90% off USPS® retail rates on eligible services, with no volume minimum and no separate USPS account to open.**
UPS® (built in)
Up to 85% off UPS® international, up to 81% off UPS® Ground and up to 75% off UPS 2nd Day Air® and UPS Next Day Air®.*
FedEx (connect your own)
Connect your own FedEx account to use your negotiated rates. No Rollo FedEx discount.
Rollo Ship features
- No subscriptionYour first 200 labels have no Rollo fee, then 5¢ each, down to 1¢ with Rollo Rewards. Carrier postage is separate.
- Compare in one placeUSPS, UPS® and your FedEx account side by side for the same parcel.
- Web and mobileShip from the web, iOS or Android.
- Rollo RewardsPer-label fees drop as your shipping volume grows.
**Discounts off USPS retail rates. Savings vary by service, weight, dimensions and zone, and some services carry no discount. Rates are limited to shipping from the U.S. only and are subject to change at any time without notice.
*Discounts off UPS daily rates. Rates are limited to shipping from the U.S. only. Rates and any applicable discounts are subject to change at any time without notice. The 81% off UPS® Ground figure applies to dimensional rates. UPS® services and discounted rates shown are for shipments originating in the United States. UPS, the UPS brandmark and the color brown are trademarks of United Parcel Service of America, Inc. All rights reserved.
More Rollo Ship guides
Shipping to Australia FAQ
What is the cheapest way to ship to Australia?
It depends on weight, size, speed and tracking. For light parcels up to 4 lb, USPS First-Class Package International Service® is usually the starting point. For heavier or faster parcels, compare USPS Priority Mail International® with UPS® services on the same parcel.
How much does it cost to ship to Australia from the US?
It depends on the weight, size and service you choose. Enter your parcel details in the rate calculator above to see your Rollo Ship rates.
What is the cheapest way to ship a small package to Australia?
For light merchandise up to 4 lb, USPS First-Class Package International Service® is typically the cheapest option to Australia. Above 4 lb, compare USPS Priority Mail International® and UPS® international services.
Do I have to pay GST and customs duty when shipping to Australia?
Australia charges 10% GST on imported goods. For sold goods valued at A$1,000 or less, there is no duty and GST is charged at checkout by sellers registered for Australian GST. Over A$1,000, an import declaration is needed, and duty may apply plus GST and clearance charges at the border.
What if several low-value items ship together?
If several low-value items are shipped to Australia as one consignment with a total customs value over A$1,000, the consignment is taxed at the border instead of at checkout.
What can’t I ship to Australia?
Australia has strict biosecurity rules. Food, seeds, plants, soil, untreated wood and many animal products are prohibited or need an import permit. Weapons, certain medicines, laser pointers and counterfeit goods are restricted or prohibited. Check items in the government BICON database and declare contents honestly.
Is it cheaper to ship to Australia with USPS or a courier?
For light parcels, USPS is often cheaper because its international services are priced by weight and country price group. For heavier or time-sensitive shipments, UPS® can win. Couriers bill the greater of actual and dimensional weight, so compare the same parcel across carriers.
Do I need a customs form to ship to Australia?
Yes. Every parcel to Australia needs a customs declaration. USPS uses PS Form 2976 for First-Class Package International Service® and PS Form 2976-B for merchandise on Priority Mail services, and couriers use a commercial invoice. List each item, its quantity, value, country of origin and HS tariff code.
Is Rollo Ship free to use?
Yes. There is no subscription. Your first 200 labels have no Rollo fee; after that it is 5¢ per label, down to 1¢ with Rollo Rewards. You pay carrier postage.
Compare your parcel and ship it to Australia
Cheap shipping to Australia from the USA starts with the same parcel priced on every carrier. Rollo Ship compares USPS, UPS® and your FedEx account in one dashboard, then prints the label and customs form.
Free to use, no subscription. First 200 labels with no Rollo fee.