Guide to Shipping from Singapore to Australia

30 September 2026 6 min read

The thought of sending a parcel to Australia can at first seem like an intimidating process, especially since it observes strict border controls. While customs documents and full and accurate details on your commercial invoice are a must, you also need a trustworthy courier service to transfer your shipments safely.

If you are new to international shipping and are planning on shipping from Singapore to Australia, then we are here to help you. We, at DHL Express, guarantee the maximum safety of your shipment with an efficient process of delivery without damaging any contents within it.

Here’s a handy to-do list for you to follow if you are to send a parcel from Singapore to Australia.

Important Customs rules you need to know for Australia

Australia generally applies a de minimis threshold of AUD 1,000. Shipments valued above this amount may be subject to formal customs clearance procedures and additional customs processing charges. Alcohol and tobacco products are assessed separately and may still attract duties and taxes regardless of value.

Alcoholic beverages	For alcoholic beverages, specific brands or product names must not be used as the description of the goods on the waybill or invoice. For instance, "Johnnie Walker" instead of the general commodity being "Whiskey." Australian Border Force levies heavy penalties for false or ambiguous declarations of goods coming into the country. Incoterm DDP is preferred to avoid clearance delays. Any shipment that contains more than 1 litre of alcohol or wine or weighs more than 1kg will be stopped for import foods inspection and examined at a certain cost. The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) requires additional documentation for alcohol and wine shipments imported into Australia. Firstly, the shipper needs to provide a Shipper’s declaration on company letterhead including the following details: Date HAWB Number Name of the product Lot codes or batch numbers Exact quantities Person’s name, company title, and signature Secondly, the receiver needs to provide an Importers Declaration on the importers' letterhead including the following details: Date HAWB number-entry number Name/s of product Quantities, lot codes, or batch numbers Person’s name, company title, and signature End use of the wine/alcohol i.e. private consumption, sample or commercial evaluation, sale, etc.
Tobacco Products	Cigarettes and leaf tobacco imported into Australia require a valid import permit at the time of importation. Shipments arriving without the required permit may be delayed, refused entry, or subject to enforcement action by Australian authorities.
Vapes and Nicotine Products	Vapes and vaping accessories require an import licence and permit before shipment to Australia. Shipments sent without the required approvals may be treated as prohibited imports. Nicotine pouches are prohibited imports and cannot be shipped into Australia.
Drugs (in pharmacy without prescription)	For drugs in pharmacy, an Australian prescription is required for private person shipments for pharmaceuticals. If the receiver is unable to obtain one, then the goods may be seized by ABF. If there is more than a three-month supply for a private person, they need to have a TGA import permit before the goods are sent. Shipper or recipient to pay the quarantine processing fee AUD 47.30 min.
Foodstuff	Australia maintains strict biosecurity and food safety controls on imported food products. All imported food must comply with Australian biosecurity requirements and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Importers may also be subject to inspection under Australia's Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS). Detailed product descriptions are required on shipping documents. Vague descriptions such as "snacks" or "food" are not acceptable. Food products that are not commercially manufactured, labelled, or packaged may be subject to quarantine action, inspection, or refusal of entry. Herbal or nutritional supplements must contain the full name/s of the product/s along with the ingredients list on the commercial invoice. Failure to provide the required information may result in clearance delays. Honey imported into Western Australia may be subject to additional quarantine requirements. Baby formula (milk powder) may be subject to additional import requirements and documentation. A declaration showing the full ingredients list is required for all food products. Import conditions vary by product type and country of origin and should be checked through Australia's Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system before shipment.
Seeds	If you're importing seeds, Australia has strict biosecurity requirements for seeds and other plant products. Import conditions vary by species and country of origin. Further information can be found in the Australian Border Force's guide to plants, flowers and seeds and Australia's Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system before shipment.

Key import documentations

It is important to note which documents are required before you start shipping to Australia, to ensure that your shipment is well prepared and safely delivered.

Waybill
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Permits
Licenses
Certificates (e.g. Certificates of Origin for Free Trade Agreements claims)

The above list of requirements is non-exhaustive, and depending on the commodities or characteristics, additional customs regulatory requirements might be applicable.

To-do list to send a parcel from Singapore to Australia

The air waybill (AWB) is an essential document when shipping to Australia. The Australian Border Force (ABF) requires a complete commercial invoice and supporting documentation to clear your shipment through customs.

Your commercial invoice should include:

Receiver and shipper details
Quantity and accurate description of goods
Goods value, freight and insurance costs (where applicable)
Applicable Incoterms
HS codes where available

Goods descriptions should be clear and specific. Generic terms such as "Gift", "Sample" or product brand names alone may result in customs delays. Proforma invoices are generally not accepted for customs clearance.

Imported goods should also be correctly labelled, including country-of-origin markings and accurate product descriptions where required.

To avoid delays, ensure that the information on your AWB and commercial invoice accurately reflects the contents of your shipment.

Once your documentation is ready, securely pack your shipment and arrange for collection. You can schedule a pickup through MyDHL+, contact DHL customer service, or drop off your parcel at a DHL Express ServicePoint.

Advantages of using DHL Express

By knowing which items you will be allowed to ship to Australia, you will do yourself a huge favor and save your shipment from clearance delays. And because there are certain products that are strictly prohibited for shipment, using DHL’s Express shipping service will help you simplify the process. Plus, it takes care of the customs clearance and completion of declarations on your behalf.

Here are some of its top advantages:

Its door-to-door shipping service makes international shipping easy
DHL’s wide range of services and network covers 220 territories across the globe
Thanks to MyDHL+, MyBill, and ODD (On-Demand Delivery), the shipping process is made much easier and safer
Real-time updates about the shipment’s clearance statuses are readily given to customers
The package collection time is as per your choice
With the help of DHL’s flexible delivery options, now customers can decide the time and place of their shipment delivery