FedEx Shipping to Australia: How WooCommerce Stores Can Save on Costs

Shipping to Australia from your WooCommerce store opens access to a high-value international market, but it often brings high shipping costs, customs challenges, and delivery delays. Australia is a promising yet logistically complex destination for many U.S., UK, or EU-based merchants due to its distance and import rules. That’s where FedEx offers strong support with its global network and reliable international services.

In this guide, we’ll explore how your WooCommerce store can cut costs using smart tools and shipping strategies, as well as how to offer FedEx shipping to Australia using the WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin.

Article Contains:

1. Why Shipping to Australia Can Be Expensive
2. FedEx International Shipping Services to Australia 
3. Best Practices to Reduce FedEx Shipping Costs to Australia
4. Offer FedEx Shipping to Australia in WooCommerce
5. Limitations and Considerations
   • Prohibited and Restricted Items
   • Weight and Size Restrictions
   • Biosecurity Inspections
   • Duties and Taxes Payment
6. Conclusion
7. FAQs

Why Shipping to Australia Can Be Expensive

Shipping to Australia is often costly due to a combination of geographic, logistical, and regulatory factors. Shipping products to Australia can involve higher-than-average costs for several key reasons:

• Long transit distances: Australia is geographically distant from major international shipping hubs, resulting in longer shipping times and higher fuel costs.
• Air freight reliance: Many shipments require air transport for timely delivery, which is more expensive than sea freight.
• Customs duties and taxes: Imports into Australia are subject to GST and, in some cases, additional duties based on item category and value.
• Biosecurity inspections: Certain goods undergo strict quarantine and inspection processes, which may lead to added costs and delays.
• Limited fulfillment infrastructure: Without local warehouses or distribution centers, cross-border shipping becomes necessary, increasing expenses.
• Retail carrier rates: Smaller WooCommerce stores often lack access to discounted FedEx rates, leading to higher per-shipment charges.

Despite higher shipping costs, Australia remains a valuable eCommerce market with strong demand. To make the most of this opportunity, WooCommerce businesses must overcome these challenges to scale and grow. FedEx helps tackle these hurdles with specialized international shipping solutions. Let’s take a closer look at the services FedEx offers for shipping to Australia.

FedEx International Shipping Services to Australia

FedEx offers a comprehensive suite of international shipping services tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses shipping to Australia, such as:

1. FedEx International First®:
   • This premium service offers early-day delivery to key global markets, including Australia.
   • Shipments typically arrive within 1–3 business days.
   • It’s ideal for time-sensitive shipments that require expedited delivery.
     
2. FedEx International Priority® Express:
   • Offers fast cross-border delivery to select markets, including Australia.
   • Delivers by 10:30 AM or noon within 1–2 business days.
   • Best suited for urgent shipments that need morning delivery.
     
3. FedEx International Priority®:
   • A widely used service that ensures delivery within 1–3 business days to and from Australia.
   • It offers reliable door-to-door service with customs clearance included.
   • Ideal for businesses that need fast, dependable delivery worldwide.
     
4. FedEx® International Connect Plus:
   • A day-definite international shipping service tailored for e-commerce.
   • Delivery times vary by destination, and generally offer faster transit than standard economy services.
   • Combines affordable pricing with tracking and reliability, making it ideal for growing online stores.
     
5. FedEx International Economy®:
   • Designed for less time-sensitive shipments, this service delivers packages within 2–5 business days.
   • It’s a cost-effective option for businesses looking to save on shipping costs without compromising reliability.
     
6. FedEx International Priority® Freight:
   • For heavier shipments over 68 kg, this service provides priority delivery within 1–3 business days.
   • It’s suitable for large or bulk items that need to reach Australia promptly.
   • Includes fast customs clearance and door-to-door service.
     
7. FedEx International Economy® Freight:
   • This service caters to heavy shipments that are less time-sensitive.
     Offers delivery within 3–5 business days. 
   • It’s an economical choice for bulk shipments where cost savings are a priority.

8. FedEx® International Deferred Freight:
   • Best for large shipments where delivery urgency is low.
   • Offers budget-friendly rates with flexible delivery windows.
   • Ideal for businesses seeking low-cost options for non-urgent freight.

Now, let’s understand some of the smartest techniques to reduce shipping costs when sending packages to Australia.

Best Practices to Reduce FedEx Shipping Costs to Australia

Here are the top ways WooCommerce stores can reduce FedEx shipping costs when delivering to customers in Australia:

• Opt for FedEx International Economy over Priority services when speed isn’t critical. It delivers in 2–5 business days and offers significant cost savings on international shipments.
• Fill out customs documents accurately. Misdeclared shipments may incur delays, penalties, or re-exports, increasing costs.
• WooCommerce stores with consistent or high shipping volume may qualify for discounted FedEx rates. Contact FedEx to request a custom pricing agreement.
• FedEx charges may vary depending on your shipping method. Scheduling regular pickups can save travel time and make fulfillment more efficient.
• Use appropriately sized packaging to avoid unnecessary charges. FedEx bases shipping costs on the greater of actual weight or dimensional weight.
• Print shipping labels in bulk to save time and reduce errors during order fulfillment.

Now, let’s explore how you can offer FedEx shipping options directly within your WooCommerce store.

Offer FedEx Shipping to Australia in WooCommerce

The WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin makes it simple to ship to Australia and generate all necessary FedEx shipping documents directly from your store.

Once the plugin is configured, you can automatically generate essential documents like the Label, Commercial Invoice, and Pro Forma Invoice.

You can generate and submit customs documents electronically using ETD (Electronic Trade Documents) to reduce customs clearance delays when shipping to Australia.

Next, choose the FedEx international services you want to offer. Real-time FedEx shipping rates for Australia will automatically appear at checkout based on your selected services.  

With the FedEx shipping plugin, you can generate and print the shipping label, commercial invoice, and other required documents directly from the WooCommerce order page. 

Orders can be auto-marked as fulfilled, tracking details sent to customers, and FedEx pickups scheduled directly from your WooCommerce dashboard.

For full details, see the WooCommerce FedEx Shipment Tracking & Pickup Guide.

Limitations and Considerations

Shipping to Australia involves specific regulations and requirements that WooCommerce store owners should be aware of to ensure smooth delivery.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Australia enforces stringent import regulations to protect its environment and public health. FedEx adheres to these regulations, and certain items are either prohibited or restricted:

• Prohibited Items: These cannot be shipped under any circumstances. Examples include:
  • Weapons and explosives
  • Narcotics and illegal drugs
  • Certain animal products
  • Counterfeit goods
  • Some types of batteries and hazardous materials
• Restricted Items: These may require special permits or licenses for importation. Examples include:
  • Medications and pharmaceuticals
  • Plant and animal products
  • Food items
  • Alcohol and tobacco products
  • Products containing lithium batteries

Weight and Size Restrictions

FedEx imposes specific weight and size limits for shipments to Australia. Below are the general weight and size restrictions:

• Maximum Weight per Package: 68 kg (150 lbs) for most standard services.
• Maximum Length: 274 cm (108 inches).
• Maximum Size (Length + Girth): 330 cm (130 inches).

Make sure your shipments follow these limits to avoid delays or switching to freight services.

Biosecurity Inspections

Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) may inspect certain goods to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. Items subject to biosecurity inspections include:

• Plant and animal products
• Food items
• Wooden articles

Duties and Taxes Payment

FedEx may pay duties and taxes on your behalf to expedite the customs clearance process. However, this service may incur additional fees, such as:

• Disbursement Fee: Charged when FedEx advances duties and taxes on your behalf.
• Duty and Tax Forwarding Fee: Applies when duties and taxes are billed to a third party.

By addressing these considerations, WooCommerce store owners can ensure smooth, compliant, and cost-effective FedEx deliveries to Australia.

Conclusion

Shipping to Australia with FedEx helps WooCommerce store owners tap into an international market, but costs can be high. By understanding FedEx’s shipping services, weight and size limits, and regulations, WooCommerce store owners can effectively manage costs when shipping to Australia. The WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin simplifies this process by automating label generation, customs documents, and tracking, helping to streamline operations and reduce errors. For more details, visit our FedEx Shipping Guide for WooCommerce.

FAQs

1. Can I ship hazardous materials/ dangerous goods with FedEx to Australia?

Yes, you can ship certain hazardous materials to Australia with FedEx, provided they meet specific regulations. The WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin lets you specify dangerous goods to ensure compliance. For more information, check out the guide on shipping dangerous goods with FedEx.

2. Can I ship food items to Australia with FedEx?

Certain food items can be shipped, but they may be subject to strict biosecurity inspections. Check specific regulations for food items before shipping. For more details, read how to ship frozen food with FedEx in WooCommerce.

3. Can I ship alcohol to Australia with FedEx?

Yes, but only if you’re a licensed alcohol shipper. FedEx requires both the shipper and recipient to hold appropriate licenses, and shipments must comply with all applicable laws. For more information, refer to the guide on how to ship alcohol using the FedEx Shipping Plugin.

4. What is the cheapest FedEx service for shipping to Australia?

FedEx International Economy® is usually the most cost-effective option for non-urgent deliveries, offering reliable service at lower rates.

5. What happens if I exceed FedEx’s weight or size limits for Australia? 

Oversized or overweight packages may require freight services, incur surcharges, or be refused for standard shipping.