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Does AliExpress ship to Australia?
Yes. Choose Australia as your ship-to country and Australian dollars as your currency. AliExpress then shows the delivery options, prices and estimated dates that apply to your address. Set both first, because AliExpress ties coupons to the ship-to country you had when they were issued.
Payment options vary by country. AliExpress lists cards, digital wallets such as PayPal, Google Pay and Apple Pay, and buy-now-pay-later options, and says what you see depends on your country and currency. Which payment method is safest.
The A$1,000 rule: GST, duty and charges
| Goods value | At checkout | At the border |
|---|---|---|
| A$1,000 or less | GST may be charged at the point of sale by the seller or marketplace. | Generally no duties, taxes or charges to pay. |
| More than A$1,000 | GST may already have been charged at checkout. | An import declaration is needed. You pay a processing charge, plus duties and taxes. A licensed customs broker can help. |
- GST is 10%, and shipping counts. For low value imported goods, shipping and insurance are part of the delivered price that GST is calculated on.
- You’ll see it in one of three places. GST may be in the advertised price, added at checkout or shown on your receipt or order confirmation.
- Not every seller charges it. Overseas suppliers and marketplaces below the A$75,000 GST registration threshold don’t have to charge GST, and GST-free goods such as food don’t carry it.
- Marketplace discounts don’t cut the GST. If the marketplace itself funds a discount, GST is still worked out on the merchant’s listed price.
- Gifts can be taxed too. The ATO says you may be charged GST on gifts bought from overseas and delivered to an Australian address, when the value is A$1,000 or less.
- Some goods are always taxed. Tobacco and alcohol attract duty and tax regardless of value.
- Air and sea cargo. Australian Border Force says goods of A$1,000 or less arriving by air or sea cargo need a Self-Assessed Clearance declaration, at no charge, handled by the cargo company or freight forwarder. Goods arriving by post don’t need one.
What GST adds: a worked example
This mirrors the structure of the ATO’s own example. Suppose the merchant’s GST-exclusive price, including shipping to your address, is A$60.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Merchant’s price including shipping (GST-exclusive) | A$60.00 |
| GST (10% of that price) | A$6.00 |
| You pay | A$66.00 |
The key point is that shipping is inside the amount GST is calculated on. So compare the delivered total, not just the item price. Why the gap to local prices is narrowing.
Don’t pay GST twice
If several low value items with a total customs value over A$1,000 arrive in one parcel, the supplier can either charge GST on each item at the point of sale or leave it to be applied at the border. If you are charged GST both at the point of sale and at the border, ask the supplier for a refund of the point-of-sale GST. The ATO says Australian Border Force can’t refund GST paid at the border, and the supplier will want proof of what you paid. The ATO adds that suppliers must provide their GST registration number and confirm whether GST was paid at the point of sale, which is what prevents it being applied again at the border.
Returns, refunds and GST
If you cancel or return low value imported goods, you’re entitled to a refund of the GST, and the supplier pays it, not the ATO or Australian Border Force. Customs duty is different. Australian Border Force says duty paid on imported goods isn’t refunded if you return them because you changed your mind, they don’t fit or you don’t like them.
AliExpress’s Buyer Protection covers items that don’t arrive, arrive damaged or aren’t as described. AliExpress says you can claim within 15 days of receiving an item that doesn’t match its description, and a Free Return service applies within 15 days of delivery. Start by contacting the seller, then file a return or refund request from your order. Full guide to Buyer Protection.
Australian Consumer Law rights apply when you buy from overseas businesses, but the ACCC says it can be difficult to get a repair, replacement or refund from an overseas business, and that it can only provide limited help. That is a reason to keep records and to prefer lower-value purchases.
Safety and legal checks before you buy
- Electrical and gas goods. Australian Border Force warns that goods that don’t meet Australian safety and technical standards may be a safety risk and may not be able to be modified to meet them. Check the plug type and voltage, and be careful with chargers and appliances. Which purchases need extra checks.
- Counterfeits. Australian Border Force says it may seize pirated and counterfeit goods, and importing and selling them is illegal and can lead to prosecution. How to tell fake from real.
- Restricted items. Some goods are prohibited or need permits, and the Department of Agriculture may inspect goods before delivery.
Delivery in Australia: what decides the wait
- The shipping method you pick. Standard shipping is slower and cheaper. Faster or tracked options cost more. Compare the estimated delivery date on the item page.
- Where the item ships from. AliExpress search pages include a “Shipping from” filter. Items already in Australia can arrive faster and don’t cross the border on your order. Check the item page to see what applies.
- Choice items. AliExpress lists free shipping over $10 on Choice items and a delivery guarantee on items with the “Fast delivery” label. Buyers report the real threshold can differ, so check your cart. How Choice works.
- AliExpress’s safety net. For items without a “Fast delivery” label, AliExpress says you can apply for a refund and keep the item if it isn’t delivered within 60, 75, 90 or 120 days of shipment, depending on delivery conditions.
Orders are often split into several parcels, so track each one separately.
Before you order from Australia: a checklist
- Set Australia as your ship-to country and AUD as your currency.
- Check the price breakdown for GST, and remember shipping is included in the amount GST applies to.
- Keep each parcel’s total value in mind against the A$1,000 line.
- For electrical goods, check the plug type, voltage and suitability for Australia.
- Compare a local-warehouse or Choice option against standard shipping.
- Apply your coupons and check the final total before you pay. How coupons work.
- Check the seller and the listing. Seller checks and product red flags.
- Keep the order number, receipt and tracking for each parcel.
Never ask a seller to understate an item’s value or mislabel a parcel. Accurate information is what keeps a parcel clear of border charges.
Ready to shop?
Before you order, add the item to your cart on AliExpress and read the GST and charges shown for your address. If you want a small first order, browse low-price items on AliExpress, then check the current price and delivery estimate before you pay.
Where to go next
- Best time to buy on AliExpress: wait for a sale or buy now?
- Is AliExpress legit? Which purchases need extra checks
- AliExpress flash deals: how to tell a real deal from a fake
- How AliExpress coupons work and stack
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay GST on AliExpress orders in Australia?
GST of 10% applies at the point of sale to low value imported goods when the supplier or marketplace is registered. You may see it in the price, added at checkout or on your receipt.
Is there customs duty on AliExpress orders under A$1,000?
Australian Border Force says goods worth A$1,000 or less generally carry no duties, taxes or charges at the border. Tobacco and alcohol are the exceptions.
Is the A$1,000 limit per item or per parcel?
For GST, the ATO looks at the total customs value of low value goods sent together in one parcel. Above A$1,000, the border process applies.
Will I pay GST twice?
Not normally. If you are charged at both the point of sale and the border, ask the supplier for a refund of the point-of-sale GST, because Australian Border Force can’t refund border GST.
Can I get my GST back if I return an item?
Yes. You’re entitled to a refund of GST when you cancel or return low value imported goods, paid by the supplier. Customs duty isn’t refunded if you return goods because you changed your mind.
Is it safe to buy electrical items from AliExpress?
Be careful. Australian Border Force warns that overseas electrical and gas goods may not meet Australian safety standards. Check the plug type and voltage and prefer well-reviewed sellers.
Are my consumer rights the same when I buy from AliExpress?
Australian Consumer Law rights apply to overseas businesses, but the ACCC says it can be difficult to get a repair, replacement or refund from one. Keep your records and use Buyer Protection first.
The bottom line
AliExpress works well from Australia when you know the rules. Keep the A$1,000 line in mind, remember GST is added at checkout and includes shipping, and check safety for electrical goods. Then compare delivery options, stack your coupons and order.
Check current prices on AliExpress →
Sources
- ATO: GST and consumers, imported services, digital products and low value imported goods
- Australian Border Force: Buying online
- Australian Border Force: GST on low value goods when importing
- ACCC: Buying online
- AliExpress: Commitment (free shipping, free returns, shipping guarantee, payment methods)
- AliExpress: Buyer Protection
Tax rules, thresholds and fees change. Confirm current details with the ATO and Australian Border Force before you order.
