Do I pay duty on goods imported from China?

Usually not — under ChAFTA most Chinese manufactured goods enter duty-free if you claim the FTA rate with a valid Certificate of Origin. Without the origin document you pay the general 5% rate. GST of 10% on VoTI applies either way.

How long does shipping from China to Australia take?

Sea freight takes roughly 2–4 weeks to the main ports (longer for LCL with deconsolidation), air freight about a week, and express couriers a matter of days for small parcels.

Is it safe to buy from Alibaba suppliers?

It can be, with discipline: verify the supplier's business licence, order samples first, use trade assurance or letters of credit rather than full upfront transfers, and never accept a supplier's offer to under-declare the customs value — the liability lands on you as the importer.

Importing from China to Australia

China is Australia's largest source of imported goods. The mechanics are the same as any other origin — but the scale of the China trade means well-trodden pathways, a mature free trade agreement, and a few traps that catch new importers.

ChAFTA — most Chinese goods are already duty-free

The China–Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), in force since December 2015, eliminated tariffs on the vast majority of goods traded between the two countries. In practice:

Most manufactured goods from China enter Australia at 0% duty — if you claim the FTA rate.
Claiming requires a valid Certificate of Origin (or Declaration of Origin) issued in China and presented at entry.
Without the origin document you pay the general 5% rate — money left on the table. See the FTA & Certificates of Origin guide.

GST still applies regardless of duty: 10% of VoTI (customs value + duty + international freight & insurance).

Freight options from China

Mode	Transit	Best for
Sea FCL (full container)	~2–4 weeks to Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane/Fremantle	Volume orders; cheapest per unit
Sea LCL (shared container)	~2–5 weeks	Smaller orders from one or few suppliers
Air freight	~1 week	Urgent, high-value, low-weight stock
Express courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS)	Days	Samples and small restocks; courier clears ≤ AUD 1,000 parcels

Supplier verification

Verify the business licence and export credentials of any new supplier; video-call the factory or use a third-party inspection service before a first large order.
Pay by methods with recourse (e.g., platform trade assurance or letter of credit for large orders); avoid full upfront bank transfers to new suppliers.
Order samples first and test them against Australian standards before committing.

Compliance traps specific to China sourcing

RCM/EESS for electronics — get test reports and certification done at origin; border remediation is far more expensive. See the electronics guide.
Asbestos zero tolerance — vehicle parts, gaskets and building products need credible testing; overseas "asbestos-free" certificates are not accepted at face value.
Labelling — country of origin, English-language information and an Australian importer address are required before sale. Brief your supplier before production, not after arrival.
BMSB season — machinery, vehicles and parts shipped September–April may need pre-shipment treatment under seasonal measures.
Under-declaration — suppliers offering to "write a lower value" create liability for you: the ABF reassesses, penalises, and can seize goods.

The process in brief

Confirm the goods are allowed (ABF list + BICON) → verify supplier → agree Incoterm (FOB is common) → get HS classification and confirm ChAFTA eligibility → Certificate of Origin arranged → ship → SAC or Import Declaration → pay GST → clear biosecurity → comply before sale. Full walkthrough in Getting Started.

Sourcing from America too? The importing from the USA guide covers AUSFTA, US product-standard differences and trans-Pacific freight.