Guide to Shipping from Singapore to Australia

22 April 2021 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

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. As of October 1st, 2019, the Imported Foods section of the Department of Agriculture & Water Resources (DAWR) has changed the requirements for any alcohol or wine shipments being imported into Australia. Firstly, the shipper needs to provide a Shipper’s declaration on company letterhead including the following details: a) Date b) HAWB Number c) Name of the product d) Lot codes or batch numbers e) Exact quantities f) Person’s name, company title, and signature. Secondly, the receiver needs to provide an Importers Declaration on the importers' letterhead including the following details: a) Date b) HAWB number-entry number c) Name/s of product d) Quantiles, lot codes, or batch numbers e) Person’s name, company title, and signature f) End use of the wine/alcohol i.e. private consumption, sample or commercial evaluation, sale, etc.
Cosmetics	If you’re shipping cosmetics, then lead content within any commodity must be declared.
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	All inbound shipments containing foodstuff must contain an accurate goods description of the mentioned foodstuff. Vague descriptions such as "snacks" or "food" are not acceptable. Moreover, foodstuffs that are not commercially manufactured, labelled, or packaged will be seized by quarantine. 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 comply will lead to clearance delays. Honey imported into Western Australia has additional quarantine needs. All quantities of baby formula (milk powder) must have an import permit and Health Certificate to satisfy the Australian quarantine requirements. (Note: Baby formula ex India is prohibited in Australia). A declaration showing the full ingredients list is required for all food products.
Seeds	If you’re importing seeds, then know that Australian quarantine has strict Biosecurity requirements on “High-Risk Plant Products”. Further information can be found here: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle/urgent-actions

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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. Free Trade Agreements)

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 requirement whenever you are importing any package to Australia. The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service requires complete and correct commercial invoices and other supporting documents with a clearly stated reason for your export. The invoice is then used to clear customs. Moreover, all shipments require the consignee’s contact phone number and email address.

Invoices must include:

Receiver and shipper details, the quantity of goods, the full description of goods (not just part numbers/code numbers) e.g. 100% Cotton T-Shirt.
Specific brands and/or product names must NOT be used as the description of the goods on the waybill or label. Example "Captain Black" instead of the general commodity being "Cigars".
Australian Customs and Quarantine has heavy penalties in place for the false (or ambiguous) declaration of goods coming into the country.

Therefore, make sure that you note down the accurate information about the contents of the shipment, including what is indicated on your AWB. This will prevent delays or shipment damage at Australian customs.

For instance, if you are shipping animal skins to Australia, then distinctly mention it on your shipping invoice. It’s because raw hides and skins are treated with gamma radiation upon arrival in Australia. Please note that fumigation certificates supplied from the origin country will not be accepted.

After you’ve successfully created your shipping invoice, start packing your own parcel. Whatever the commodity is, the responsibility of packaging your shipment solely relies on you. The final step is arranging your shipment collection. Simply call DHL customer service and inform them about the specific time and date of pickup. Another way is you can plan for a pickup from MyDHL + shipping tool or drop it off at your nearest DHL Express retail store.

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

Does this above list cover all the items that you wish to ship from Singapore to Australia? If not, then click on the button below and know more!