U.S. sellers and Australian buyers rejoice: goods valued AU$ 1000 are exempt from import duty. (Photo Credit: Mark Yang)
Both new sellers and seasoned eBay and Bricklink veterans alike sometimes get squeamish about shipping internationally. Shipping internationally does indeed carry added risks and sometimes added expenses (see 8 Reasons NOT to Ship Internationally). Still, if you’d like to test the waters of international shipping, Australia is a great introductory country for several reasons.
1. No language barrier
Speaking the same language as your buyer streamlines questions and communication between you and your buyer.
2. First Class International Packages to Australia Include Tracking
Tracking gives both buyers and sellers piece of mind while the shipment is en route to the destination. Unfortunately tracking on First Class International Packages is only available to some countries (mostly in Europe). Fortunately First Class International Packages to Australia qualify for tracking!
3. High import tax minimums
Even though customs fees/import taxes are the buyer’s responsibility, buyers will complain to sellers about high customs fees or even ask the seller to falsify customs forms. In 10 years or selling I’ve never ONCE gotten a complaint about customs fees or a request to lie on a customs form from an Australian. Why? Because imported goods under $1000 AUD (about $720 USD) are not taxed in Australia. By contrast, a buyer in Germany with an item valued over €22 (about $25 USD) may be required to pay an added 19% value added tax (VAT).
4. Australians buy many items internationally
As an island nation without any land borders, Australians are accustomed to buying items from abroad that they can’t easily find at home. That means you’ve got a very active buying pool and educated buyers who understand the process of international shipping.
5. Possible higher value orders (due to high import tax minimums and Australians buying many items internationally)
Once you open your store to Australian buyers, you may receive some higher value orders $50-$100+ from Australian buyers due to the high import tax minimums and the fact that Australians buy many items internationally. Of course purchasing behavior and order values also relate to your store’s selection, service, prices, and other factors best discussed in a separate article.
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“You’ve taken your first into a larger world,” Ben Kenobi says (and I think he was talking about shipping to Australia!). Who knows, maybe you’ll take a second step, a third step, then go on to ship to the rest of the world. It’s kind of fun being able to say that you’ve shipped LEGO everywhere from Bahrain to Bermuda.