International Postage Costs: The Only Guide You Need

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Ready to open your ecommerce store to overseas customers? Don’t open the floodgates just yet!

Before you get started, you need to have a good understanding of international postage costs. Like with local shipments, there are multiple tiers of pricing depending on weight, size, and location. Prices vary by country as well. Sending without fully understanding how this works will slowly chew into your profit margins as your international business expands. 

Fortunately, within the Australia Post network, there are various cost-effective methods to ship your orders, including options designed for ecommerce businesses. In this guide, we’ll break down and simplify everything you need to know about international postage costs. In the end, you will have a good grasp of how to ship your orders in a way that won’t impact your bottom line. 

Australia Post: The Nation’s Parcel Service

Australia Post is the nation’s widest courier network, sending items to every part of Australia and over 220 countries and territories. As a self-funded Government Business Enterprise (GBE), AusPost takes all its profits and reinvests into government initiatives and improvements to the network.

In 2023, AusPost shipped over 2.5 billion items nationally and 69 million items internationally. It also offers a range of recyclable packaging and carbon-neutral sending options for international shipments.

For purposes of exploring international postage costs, this guide will focus exclusively on Australia Post. Other couriers ship internationally, but costs vary significantly between each. For small to mid-size businesses, AusPost offers an easy entry point to the world of international shipping.

International Postage Costs & Service Offerings

Australia Post offers 4 primary options for sending parcels overseas: Economy, Standard, Express, and Courier. Weighing up budget, delivery speed, and destination, there is a versatile option for every sender.

The costs and delivery timeframes listed below are based on a 1kg parcel shipment from metro Melbourne to the USA. Information is accurate as of March 2024. 

International Economy Air

• Baseline Cost: $13.55
• Speed: 15+ business days

International Standard

• Baseline Cost: $21.00
• Speed: 6-9 business days

International Express

• Baseline Cost: $36.00
• Speed: 3-6 business days

International Courier

• Baseline Cost: $101.00
• Speed: 2-4 business days

There is also an Economy Sea option for larger shipments that aren’t time-sensitive. This option is quite slow, taking up to 3 months to arrive at the final destination. Tracking also isn’t available in most situations. 

A complete list of delivery times across every country served by Australia Post is available here. 

International Delivery Times

Global Destinations Served by Australian Post

Delivering to over 220 countries and territories, AusPost can ship your ecommerce orders almost anywhere in the world. The destinations they serve are divided into 5 zones.

Primary Destinations

• Zone 1
  • New Zealand Only

• Zone 2
  • China
  • Pacific Islands
  • Rest of Asia

• Zone 3
  • USA
  • United States Minor Outlying Islands
  • Canada

• Zone 4
  • UK
  • Ireland
  • Major Europe
  • Rest of the World 1

• Zone 5
  • Rest of World 2

Looking for a specific country not listed here? See every country and their cost zone via the link below.

International Zones

Item Restrictions for International Shipments

Whether you’re sending local or overseas, there will always be items that can’t be posted for delivery. These restrictions are in place to protect Australia Post staff, the environment, and the general public. Some examples of these restricted substances are below.

Prohibited Substances

• Flammable liquids (e.g. nail polish, paint or perfume)
• Flammable solids (e.g. instant meals, safety matches)
• Aerosols (e.g. lighters)
• Explosives (e.g. fireworks, ammunition)
• Corrosives (e.g. batteries)

Not sure if the products you sell are on this list? Check out the complete Prohibited Goods Guide below. Keep in mind that AusPost may be able to ship these items, but through alternative means (e.g. ground/sea transport instead of air)

Dangerous and Prohibited Goods Guide (International)

Sending Parcels Overseas With CLIK Collective & AusPost

Business owners who join CLIK Collective have access to our exclusive partnership with Australia Post. This access includes:

1. Specialised rates
2. An onsite shipping station to stock up on prepaid postage bags and other fulfilment necessities
3. Free pickups 
4. Access to account managers

…and additional benefits regardless of your size and current shipping volume. It’s our way of helping our members save on fixed costs as their business grows.

Packaging Guidelines for International Shipments via Australian Post

Packing your orders correctly and efficiently not only speeds up your fulfilment process but could help you cut down on international postage costs too. Here are some tips and packing suggestions as recommended by AusPost.

1. Choose the right packaging

Don’t try to force your items into a shipper or mailer, especially if the items are fragile. Make sure the fit is snug. Too loose and your items will move around in transit. Too tight and the packaging could potentially rip.

2. Ensure your item won’t bend during transit

Flimsy packaging may not adequately protect your items. If you need extra protection to prevent bending, padded or rigid mailers can help. Alternatively, packing your item with thick cardboard can reduce bending (especially in satchels or mailers).

3. Pack fragile items carefully

Fragile items have a long journey overseas. If items arrive broken, customers will be unhappy and more hesitant to make future purchases from your business. Make sure you use packing materials that can absorb the wear and tear of international travel. Page 42 of the AusPost Packing Guide offers some suggestions for sending fragile items.

4. Fill empty spaces

Not all items will fit perfectly into the packaging. Fill up every empty space to ensure your items don’t move around in transit. Some filler examples include thick kraft paper, shredded recycled paper, bubble wrap and void filler.

5. Fill in and attach the customs form

Every international shipment must have a customs declaration. Not completing this will delay the delivery of your parcel. If completed inaccurately, you or your customer may incur additional administrative costs to complete the delivery. Learn how to prepare your customs declaration here.

Calculating International Postage Costs

Does your business send parcels overseas often? Use the tool below to get a better understanding of how much your parcels will cost. 

Postage Calculator

AusPost Shipping Made Simple With CLIK Collective

As your business expands to international audiences shipping can get messy and expensive. With CLIK Collective it doesn’t have to be. Through our exclusive partnership with Australia Post, we’re able to offer ecommerce businesses in Melbourne a competitive edge in overseas fulfilment.

Joining CLIK Collective grants you access to our full suite of ecommerce support, alongside a friendly community of entrepreneurs turning their dreams into reality. Get in touch with our team to book a tour of our spaces today or call us at 03 9028 CLIK (2545) if you have any specific questions about warehouse and office spaces.

FAQs on Australian Post International Shipping

What is the fastest way to send a parcel overseas?

International Courier is the fastest way to send a parcel overseas, usually arriving in 2 days (depending on location). It’s also the most expensive way to ship an item.

What is the cheapest way to send a parcel overseas?

Economy Air and Economy Sea are the cheapest ways to send a parcel overseas. Economy Air offers tracking for items under 2kg but deliveries may take at least 15 days or more. If you’re sending a parcel between 2 – 20kg, economy sea is also an affordable option, but tracking is not included. Your shipment may also take up to 3 months to deliver.

How much can I expect to pay for international postage?

Shipping costs vary based on location but for a typical metro shipment (e.g. Melbourne) going to Zone 2 (e.g. USA) prices range between $13.55 – $101.00 for parcels and $3.70 – $101.00 for letters. Outside of location, weight and dimensions may also influence final shipping costs.

Does CLIK Collective organise courier pickups?

Through our partnership with AusPost, CLIK Collective members have access to free daily pickups, specialised rates, and more. Learn more about the program here.

Ready to open your ecommerce store to overseas customers? Don’t open the floodgates just yet!
Before you get started, you need to have a good understanding of international postage costs. Like with local shipments, there are multiple tiers of pricing depending on weight, size, and location. Prices vary by country as well. Sending without fully understanding how this works will slowly chew into your profit margins as your international business expands.

Fortunately, within the Australia Post network, there are various cost-effective methods to ship your orders, including options designed for ecommerce businesses. In this guide, we’ll break down and simplify everything you need to know about international postage costs. In the end, you will have a good grasp of how to ship your orders in a way that won’t impact your bottom line.