Australia is one of Vietnam's most valuable export markets — and the opportunity is only growing. In November 2025, Vietnam and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to maximize the benefits of existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), reinforcing a bilateral trade relationship already strengthened by frameworks like the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)1. For Vietnamese businesses, these agreements open the door to reduced tariffs and preferential trade terms that make shipping goods to Australia more commercially attractive than ever.
That said, international shipping comes with its share of complexities, from customs regulations and documentation requirements to packaging standards and duty obligations. To help you ship with confidence, here are five essential tips for businesses sending goods from Vietnam to Australia.
1. Choose your shipping mode
The shipping mode you choose will directly impact your delivery speed, costs, and customer experience — so it pays to make an informed decision early.
For time-sensitive shipments, express air shipping is recommended. With DHL Express, businesses can ship goods to Australia in as little as two to four working days on average, a significant advantage when meeting tight deadlines or fulfilling urgent orders.
Beyond speed, express shipping offers:
- Faster deliveries: Two to four working days by air on average, compared to up to three weeks by sea freight
- Peace of mind: Door-to-door handling from pickup to final delivery, with no additional transfers or third-party coordination required
- Customer satisfaction: Reliable, trackable deliveries that meet the expectations of today's demanding buyers
For businesses exploring other options, such as sea freight or freight forwarding, note that door-to-door service and all-in-one pricing are typically not included, meaning additional costs for pickup, airport handling, customs clearance, and delivery may apply.
2. Navigate Australia's strict biosecurity and customs rules
Australia enforces some of the world's strictest biosecurity and import regulations. Before shipping items to Australia, it's essential to verify that your goods are permitted entry — non-compliance can result in fines, confiscation, or legal consequences2.
Prohibited items
The following are examples of what items cannot be shipped to Australia under any circumstances:
- Weapons and firearms
- Certain controlled drugs and narcotics
- Endangered wildlife and protected plant species
- Counterfeit or pirated goods
- Asbestos and related materials
Restricted items
Some goods are permitted but require special permits or certificates before they can enter Australia. Examples include:
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Meat and poultry products
- Rice and certain grains
- Biological specimens
- Certain medicines and therapeutic goods
If your import shipment to Australia includes any restricted items, obtain the relevant permits and documentation before shipping. You can also check DHL Express's list of standard prohibited and restricted commodities for additional guidance.
3. Manage your taxes and duty obligations
Understanding Australia's duties and taxes is critical to avoiding unexpected costs and customs delays. All goods imported into Australia are subject to assessment upon entry, with the applicable charges determined by several factors.
Australia's de minimis threshold currently stands at AU$1,000 (approximately US$700). Shipments valued below this threshold are generally exempt from import duties and taxes3. However, where the total shipment value exceeds the Australia de minimis threshold, duties and taxes apply to the entire shipment value — not just the portion above the threshold.
For shipments above the threshold, here's how duties and taxes are assessed:
- HS Codes: Every dutiable product is assigned a Harmonized System (HS) code, which determines the applicable duty rate. Ensure your goods are accurately classified to avoid misdeclaration penalties.
- Free Trade Agreements: Preferential duty rates may apply under Vietnam's existing FTAs with Australia. Key agreements to reference include:
- AANZFTA (ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement)
- CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership)
- RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership)
Typically, duty and tax payments are the responsibility of the importer. However, DHL Express account holders in Vietnam have the option to assume these charges on behalf of their recipients — a useful arrangement for businesses managing a high-volume shipping operation or looking to offer a seamless delivery experience.
4. Streamline your documentation to prevent delays
Incomplete or inaccurate documentation is one of the most common causes of customs delays when shipping to Australia. Preparing the right documents — correctly and in full — before your shipment departs will save significant time and cost down the line.
Here is a checklist of the documents required to import goods into Australia:
- Air Waybill (AWB): Complete all fields accurately, including shipment origin, destination, weight, dimensions, contents, and both shipper and consignee contact details. Any errors here can hold up customs clearance.
- Commercial Invoice: Declare all relevant information clearly — this includes the reason for export, shipper and receiver tax IDs, and a full breakdown of transaction costs covering goods value, insurance, freight, and packaging. Customs authorities use this document to assess duties and taxes, so accuracy is non-negotiable.
- Licences and permits (if applicable): If your shipment contains restricted goods, secure the necessary permits before shipping. For example, food products may require a food safety management certificate, while medicines typically need import permits and health certificates. Check requirements in advance to avoid last-minute delays.
If you are unsure about the documents required to import your specific goods into Australia, consult with your logistics partner ahead of time.
5. Implement high-standard packaging and labeling
Complying with packaging and labeling requirements is essential — both for the safety of your goods in transit and for smooth customs clearance on arrival. Poor packaging is a leading cause of damage claims and shipment rejections, so it's worth getting this right before your goods leave Vietnam.
Keep the following steps in mind when preparing your shipment:
- Ensure sturdy external protection: Use strong, durable boxes appropriate for the weight and fragility of your goods. Avoid reusing damaged or worn packaging.
- Use sufficient internal padding: Protect contents with adequate cushioning materials — bubble wrap, foam inserts, or packing peanuts — particularly for fragile or high-value items.
- Seal securely: Reinforce all seams and openings with heavy-duty packing tape to prevent damage or loss during transit.
- Label clearly: Mark each package with the recipient's full address, your return address, and any relevant tracking numbers or barcodes. Accurate labeling ensures correct identification and handling throughout the shipping process.
When in doubt, follow your logistics partner's packaging guidelines. DHL Express provides detailed recommendations tailored to different product types and shipping routes.
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