International customs for business

Video: The red Australia Post logo appears on a white screen.

Text: Sending Parcels Overseas, Online Declaration Form.

Audio: Upbeat music.

Video: A young woman places parcels on a table, then uses a laptop to navigate an Australia Post website.

She clicks on ‘Send overseas’, then scrolls to “Customs forms & regulations”. Under ‘Prepare forms online, she clicks ‘Get started now’.

Voiceover: If you’re sending a parcel overseas with Australia Post, rather than filling out a paper customs form, you can complete your customs declaration form online at auspost.com.au/DeclareOnline.

This will help you save time during your next visit to the Post Office.

The online option is also tailor-made for countries like the US and China, where electronic customs data is now required by Customs authorities.

Here’s how the new online process works.

Video: The voiceover's instructions are demonstrated on the website.

Voiceover: Start by selecting the country you’re sending to.

You’ll see an overview of the steps involved in preparing your declaration.

These steps will vary slightly based on the country you’ve selected, because different countries have different data requirements.

When you’re ready, just select ‘Get started’.

Video: She fills in the “Sender details” form, which includes name, address, email and phone number.

Voiceover: Now, enter the sender’s details… that might be yourself, or you could be completing the form on someone else’s behalf.

Either way, giving us your contact details — like an email address and phone number — means we can keep you updated on your delivery.

Video: She fills in the “Receiver details” form, which includes name, address, email and phone number.

Voiceover: Next, you’ll enter the receiver’s information. This time, those contact details help our delivery partner in the destination country.

They can provide updates and options to the receiver, or get in touch if there’s nobody around for delivery.

Video: She fills in the “Parcel contents” form, which includes description, weight, value and quantity.

Voiceover: To help make sure your parcel gets through Customs without delay, it’s important that you declare everything that’s in your parcel.

For example, if you’re sending two t-shirts and a pair of shoes, you’ll need to add the t-shirts and the shoes as separate items.

Video: She fills in the “Customs declaration” form.

Voiceover: Next, tell us why you’re sending the parcel, and what you’d like us to do with it if it can’t be delivered.

It is also your responsibility as the sender to ensure that your parcel doesn’t contain dangerous or prohibited items.

No explosives, flammables, corrosives, aerosols. Those types of things. This may include items like perfume or nail polish.

Video: The information on the forms appears on a webpage titled “Review your information”.

The woman clicks a box confirming she understands Australia Post’s dangerous good policy.

Voiceover: Finally, it’s a good idea to check that your information has been entered correctly.

Once you’re satisfied, go ahead and submit your declaration.

Video: The woman takes labels from a printer.

Voiceover: OK, now your customs declaration label is ready to be downloaded — so you can print it at home or at work.

Video: The woman carries her parcels and the labels to a Post Office.

Voiceover: You can bring your printed declaration label to your nearest Post Office, along with your parcel.

Video: At the counter, an Australia Post staff member scans the woman’s custom’s label. She places a barcode sticker on a label, then puts the label inside a plastic sleeve and sticks it to a parcel.

The woman smiles and leaves.

Voiceover: Or, if you’re sending to the US or China, you don’t even have to print your declaration label.

Just bring your confirmation email or SMS to the Post Office counter, and our staff will print a label for you.

The red Australia Post logo appears on a white screen.

Text: auspost.com.au

Audio: Upbeat music.