Exporting from Australia — A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Confirm the destination country will accept your product and what it requires; check whether an Australian export permit or certification applies to your commodity; agree an Incoterm and a payment method with your buyer; register for any export certification scheme your product needs; get a freight quote for the legs you are responsible for; lodge the export declaration and obtain the EDN; then assemble and present the documents. The Australian side is generally straightforward — the destination country’s requirements are where the work is.

There is no general export licence, but permits and controls apply to specific goods: defence and strategic goods, certain chemicals, wildlife and wildlife products, cultural heritage items, hazardous waste, and prescribed agricultural goods which require export certification. Many food and agricultural exports also require registration of the establishment where they are prepared.

Generally for goods valued above AUD 2,000, and for certain goods regardless of value — including those subject to export permits, prescribed goods, and goods involving duty drawback or excise. The declaration produces an Export Declaration Number that the carrier needs before loading. Lodge early rather than on the day of the cut-off.

Exports of goods are generally GST-free provided they leave Australia within 60 days of the earlier of receiving any payment or issuing an invoice, and you hold evidence of export. The 60-day window catches exporters out on long production lead times and staged shipments. Keep the transport documents as your evidence and confirm the treatment with your accountant.

It depends on the buyer and the market. Cash in advance is safest for you and hardest to sell. A confirmed irrevocable letter of credit shifts the risk to a bank, but requires document precision and is administratively expensive. Documentary collection sits in between. Open account is the easiest to sell on and the riskiest, and is best supported by trade credit insurance. Whichever you choose, the Incoterm and the payment method should be decided together, not separately.

Selling CIF or CFR means you control the freight, which protects the delivery experience, lets you build the logistics into your price, and avoids your buyer’s nominated forwarder mishandling your cargo. Selling FOB is simpler and shifts cost and risk earlier. Many Australian exporters undersell themselves by defaulting to FOB — controlling the freight is often a competitive advantage, particularly in markets where your buyer is inexperienced.

Reefer containers for sea or temperature-controlled air freight, with the temperature regime agreed in writing on the booking, the cargo pre-cooled before loading rather than cooled in the container, pallet configuration that allows airflow, and export certification obtained while inspection is still physically possible. Plan a contingency for a rolled sailing, because with perishables a roll-over is a spoilage event rather than an inconvenience.

Typically a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and a certificate or declaration of origin so they can claim a preferential duty rate. Depending on the market and product they may also need a phytosanitary or health certificate, a fumigation certificate, an insurance certificate, an inspection certificate, or documents specified by a letter of credit. Ask your buyer for their requirements in writing early — it is the single best way to avoid a document problem.