How Much Does Shipping from Australia to USA Cost?
In this post, we’re going to provide the answer to the question “How much is shipping from Australia to the USA?” Whether you are a businessman looking to send shipments in bulk or an individual looking for a one-time package delivery, this post will help you understand all that you need about sending parcels from the Land Down Under to the States.
Let’s get started.
The Quick and Short Answer/TLDR
The answer to the question stated above is simple: the cost of shipping from Australia to the USA depends on the item(s) that you are shipping.
There is no general (not even remotely) cost that can be stated for shipments going from Australia to the US. Small packages, such as letters, can cost a few dollars Australian at the most, whereas containers can rack up a cost of up to $7,000, depending on their size.
This is the short and direct answer. But, as you may have noticed, it’s not really edifying in its nature.
That is why we’re going to delve into this question in detail. We will provide you with a lot of helpful information that you can use to gauge what your particular shipment can go for when you ship it from AU to the US.
What Factors Affect the Shipping Cost from AUS to USA?
Here are the different factors that can affect the cost of shipping from Australia to the USA.
- Size of the shipment
- Weight of the shipment
- Distance to be traveled
- Method of shipping selected
- Customs and duties
Let’s delve into all of these to answer the question “How much is shipping from Australia to USA?”
1. Size of the shipment and its impact on shipping cost
It is important to note that the size of the shipment matters as long as you’re not using a container. Once you shift to using a container, the size of the items inside becomes irrelevant. The size of the container and the weight become the deciding factors.
But, if you are sending smaller items that don’t require a container, their sizes matter.
The bigger the shipment, the higher the prices will be for sending it to the USA from AUS.
2. Weight of the shipment and its impact on shipping cost
Just as the size of the shipment has a direct impact on shipping, so does the weight. Most companies measure the total cost based on weight.
The heavier the shipment is, the more it will cost the company to move. And the more it will cost the company, the more they will charge their customers.
Like size, weight has a direct impact on shipping costs; with an increase in the former resulting in an increase in the latter.
3. Distance to be traveled
Both Australia and the USA are very large countries. The shipping distance can be vastly different depending on where you send the shipment to and where you send it from.
For example, if you send a package from the western end of Australia to the eastern end of the USA, the distance will be about 4000 to 5000 miles more than sending it from the eastern end of Australia to the eastern end of the USA.
To understand it even better, simply look at the following:
- The shipping distance between Canberra (on the southeastern end of Australia) and California (on the west end of the USA) is about 7,600 miles.
- However, the shipping distance between Kimberley (from west Australia) to Florida (from south-east USA) is around 12,900 miles.
So, depending on where you’re sending from and where you’re sending to, the shipping cost can change quite a bit. Shipping distance has a direct impact on shipping costs, with more distance equating to more costs.
4. Method of shipping selected
The selected freight option also matters a lot when it comes to calculating shipping costs from Australia to the USA.
There are two main types of freight shipping options that you can choose from when sending shipments between the two countries.
- Air freight
- Sea freight
Sea freight is generally more affordable than air freight. By choosing sea freight, you can lower the total shipping costs. This applies to container loads and bulk shipments.
The downside of sea freight, which is something of an obligatory counterweight to its affordability, is that it takes time. Sending bulk shipments and full container loads via sea from Australia to the USA can take up to several weeks. You may face a delay of 50 to 60 days between dispatch and reception.
On the other hand, air freight is more expensive if you are planning on sending cargo in bulk. It is, however, much quicker than sea freight.
The main key takeaway from all the aforementioned information is that air freight is more economical and affordable for sending small packages from Australia to the USA, whereas sea freight is better for bulk shipments. The shipping method you select can have a direct cost on the total shipping cost. You have to select a method that is best suited for the items that you’re planning on sending.
5. Customs and duties
Customs and duties can affect the total costs that you pay when sending packages from Australia to the United States of America. The exact costs incurred due to customs and duties depend entirely on the item(s) that you’re shipping.
For example, according to the International Post Guide by Aupost.com, imported goods exceeding $800 are subject to import duty tax. Should your consignment fall within this category, you have to pay the additional cost.
However, this does not apply universally to all shipments. Due to the Australia Free Trade Agreement (AUFTA), most items imported from Australia to the USA are free of duty and merchandise processing fees. But, at the same time, many items aren’t.
The best way to confirm the presence and amount of customs and duties costs is to consult with a reliable shipping partner.
How Much is Shipping from Australia to USA Using Normal International Shipping Services (Estimated)
Moving on, we’re going to look at the general estimated costs of shipping involved in sending packages from Australia to the USA. The purpose of describing these costs is to help you obtain a general idea of what you’ll have to pay when sending packages between these two countries.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship to the USA from Australia via DHL?
DHL, like many other shipping companies, provides an online shipping cost calculator on their websites. We visited the website and created a few quotes using some sample data.
- If you are sending a 100 KG AU Standard Pallet from Canberra to Florida, the sea freight costs are around $2,300.
- For sending a small moving box weighing 10 KG and measuring 75 * 35 * 35 cm (from the same distance), the air freight costs can come to around $640.
- If you want to send a simple A4 envelope weighing around 500 grams from Canberra to Florida, the cost is around $130.
This does not contain the shipping costs for containers as that information has to be specifically requested via email.
However, this information does serve to give you an idea of the costs that are charged by one of the most popular and commonly used shipping companies. If you are planning on sending a shipment similar to any of the ones listed above, you can use the mentioned costs as a ballpark figure until you get a specific quote.
How Can You Reduce Shipping Costs When Sending Shipments to the USA from Australia?
Here are some tips that you can follow to reduce shipping costs when sending shipments to the USA from Australia.
- Carefully select the right freight option: As we mentioned above, sea freight can be more economical and affordable for larger shipments, while air freight can be better for smaller packages. You have to carefully select between these options so that you don’t end up paying more than you have to.
- Use the right packaging size/container size for your shipment: It is also important to use the right packaging size/container size (depending on your shipment) so that you are not unnecessarily charged more than you should.
- Opt for flat-rate shipping instead of standard shipping: With flat-rate shipping, you are charged a fixed rate for the shipment, regardless of weight, size, or distance. It can be more economical and much less of a hassle, especially if you are dealing with bulk cargo.
- Send bulk shipments outside the peak season, if possible: Peak season occurs from August to October, when bulk shipments arrive for occasions like the December holidays. It also occurs around the summer holidays as well as in January and February. If you are not in a rush, choose a time between February and the summer holidays or between October and January.
Wrapping Up
How much is shipping from Australia to USA? Depending on the distance, weight, and shipment size, the costs can range from $100 to $7,000. In this post, we have discussed in detail the various factors that impact shipping costs. By understanding them all, you will be able to find and pick the right option for your particular needs; one that is economical and also suits the cargo you’re sending.