Shipping collectibles internationally can sometimes feel complicated, especially when customs becomes involved. The good news is that ShipMyCards sends packages to Australia regularly, and most shipments are delivered without customs issues.
However, Australian Border Force may occasionally require additional documentation or formal clearance. Our goal is to educate collectors about the Australian customs-clearance process so you understand what to expect and are better prepared if your package is selected for additional review. Having the right information ahead of time can make the process easier and less stressful.
How Australian Customs Rules Apply to Consolidated Shipments
All packages entering Australia are subject to regulations established by Australian Border Force, regardless of the shipping company or carrier used.
ShipMyCards packages often contain cards or collectibles purchased from multiple sellers and combined into one shipment. This type of consolidated shipment may be classified as an Assembly Order.
If an Assembly Order requires formal or additional customs clearance, the recipient may need to appoint an independent licensed customs broker. This requirement applies regardless of which carrier transports the shipment.
This does not mean that every consolidated shipment will experience a customs issue. Most packages continue through the normal delivery process without additional clearance.
When Might a Customs Broker Be Required?
You will need to hire an independent licensed customs broker if your shipment requires formal or additional customs clearance. This may happen when:
- The shipment is classified as an Assembly Order. ShipMyCards packages may contain items purchased from multiple sellers and combined into one shipment. If an Assembly Order requires formal or additional clearance, the recipient will need to appoint an independent customs broker.
- The declared value plus shipping costs exceeds AUD $1,000. All ShipMyCards customs values and shipping charges are submitted in U.S. dollars, so collectors should keep the current USD-to-AUD exchange rate in mind. Currency conversion may cause a shipment to exceed the AUD $1,000 threshold even when the total appears lower in USD. Shipments over this threshold require formal customs entry, regardless of the carrier used.
- Australian Border Force selects the shipment for a customs audit or requires additional clearance. The carrier communicates and acts on the instructions provided by Australian Border Force.
Based on recent collector experiences, packages weighing more than 10 pounds may be more likely to receive additional review. However, this is not an official customs threshold, and packages of any weight or value may be reviewed.
What Does a Customs Broker Do?
A customs broker helps the recipient complete the customs-clearance process.
Depending on the shipment, the broker may assist with:
- Preparing the formal import entry
- Communicating with Australian Border Force
- Reviewing invoices and shipment documents
- Calculating applicable duties, taxes, and government charges
- Helping obtain the release of the package
Hiring a customs broker does not mean something is wrong with the shipment. It simply means additional customs procedures are required before the package can be released.
Does Choosing a Different Carrier Avoid These Requirements?
No.
Australian customs requirements apply to the shipment itself, not only to the carrier transporting it.
Regardless of which carrier is used:
- Assembly Orders requiring formal or additional clearance will need an independent customs broker
- Shipments remain subject to the AUD $1,000 threshold
- Any package may be selected for a customs audit
- The recipient remains responsible for completing customs clearance
- Applicable duties, taxes, government charges, and brokerage fees may apply
Selecting a different carrier does not guarantee that a shipment will avoid additional review or formal customs clearance.
How Collectors Can Be Prepared
A few simple steps can make the process easier if your shipment receives additional review.
Monitor Your Tracking
Watch your tracking after the package enters Australia. Customs-related updates may appear in the tracking history before the carrier contacts you directly.
Respond Promptly
If the carrier, Australian Border Force, or a customs broker requests information, respond as quickly as possible.
Delays in providing the requested documents may lead to longer clearance times, storage charges, the package being returned, abandoned, or, in limited circumstances, destroyed in accordance with carrier or customs procedures.
Keep Purchase Records Available
Australian Border Force may request proof of purchase or payment records.
Because ShipMyCards did not purchase the items, we do not have the original eBay invoices, marketplace receipts, auction records, or payment confirmations.
Collectors should keep purchase and payment records available for all items included in their shipment.
Be Prepared for Associated Costs
The recipient is responsible for all costs associated with customs clearance and delivery. Depending on the shipment, these costs may include:
- Customs-brokerage fees
- Duties and taxes
- Government processing or import fees
- Storage fees
- Inspection or handling fees
- Carrier-related charges
- Return transportation costs
- Any other charges assessed by the carrier, customs broker, or Australian authorities
These charges are determined by the carrier, customs broker, and Australian authorities and are separate from the original ShipMyCards shipping charges.
Make Sure Your Contact Information Is Current
Confirm that the contact information on the shipment request includes an accurate:
- Recipient name
- Delivery address
- Email address
- Telephone number
The carrier or customs broker may need to contact you directly.
Be Prepared to Appoint a Broker
For Assembly Orders, higher-value shipments, or packages selected for additional review, it may be helpful to understand the customs-brokerage process before the package reaches Australia.
The recipient is responsible for selecting and hiring the broker, providing requested documents, and paying applicable brokerage, government, duty, and tax charges.
Finding an Australian Customs Broker
The following customs brokers have previously been used by ShipMyCards collectors:
- Platinum Freight Management
https://platinumfreight.com.au/ - Australian Customs Clearance
https://aucustomsclearance.com.au/ - JWI Customs
https://jwicustoms.com.au/ - Complete List of Australia Customs Brokers
https://www.abf.gov.au/licensing/brokers/brokerages
ShipMyCards is not affiliated with these companies and does not recommend or endorse one broker over another.
This list is provided only as a helpful starting point because other ShipMyCards collectors have reported using these brokers.
Collectors are responsible for researching, selecting, and hiring their own customs broker. Services, pricing, availability, and acceptance of a particular shipment must be confirmed directly with the broker.
ShipMyCards cannot guarantee that a listed broker will accept or successfully clear a shipment.
What ShipMyCards Can Provide
ShipMyCards will provide the shipment information and documentation reasonably available to us, i.e. your ShipMyCards invoice and a Commercial Invoice that is electronically attached to everything completed shipment.
However, ShipMyCards cannot:
- Act as the importer
- Act as the customs broker
- Complete the recipient’s customs entry
- Provide purchase records we do not have
- Change the declared value to reduce duties or taxes
- Provide an inaccurate description of the shipment
- Divide a shipment for the purpose of avoiding customs requirements or taxes
All shipment information must accurately reflect the items being sent.
What Happens if Customs Clearance Is Not Completed?
If Australian Border Force requires additional clearance and the recipient does not complete the process, the package may be:
- Delayed
- Held by the carrier or customs
- Assessed storage charges
- Returned to ShipMyCards
- Abandoned according to carrier or government procedures
The recipient is responsible for any related costs, including:
- Customs-brokerage fees
- Government charges
- Duties and taxes
- Storage fees
- Return transportation
- Other carrier-related charges
The Bottom Line
Shipping to Australia remains a normal and frequently used option for ShipMyCards collectors.
Most shipments are delivered without additional customs issues. This information is intended to help collectors understand what to expect and be better prepared if Australian Border Force requests additional clearance.
All packages entering Australia are subject to the same customs regulations, regardless of the carrier used. Shipments remain subject to the AUD $1,000 threshold, Assembly Orders may require an independent customs broker, and any package may be selected for an audit.
A customs review does not automatically mean there is a serious problem. It usually means the recipient needs to provide documentation, pay applicable charges, or work with a licensed customs broker to complete the clearance process.
By monitoring tracking, keeping purchase records available, maintaining accurate contact information, and responding promptly to requests, collectors can make customs clearance much easier and less stressful.
Information is power. Being prepared can help keep the process moving.
This information is provided as general guidance and is not legal, tax, or customs-brokerage advice. Customs and carrier requirements may change, and the requirements for a specific shipment are determined by Australian Border Force, the shipping carrier, and any appointed customs broker.