Thinking of getting products made in China from Brisbane or Queensland? This 2026 guide covers the full factory process, realistic AUD costs, timelines to the Port of Brisbane, DAFF biosecurity and how to avoid the mistakes that cost Aussie importers the most.
Last updated: 18 October 2026
In short: China manufacturing works for Brisbane businesses when you treat it as a managed process, not a gamble. Expect 8 to 14 weeks from first enquiry to goods on the water, plus roughly 2 to 4 weeks of sea freight into the Port of Brisbane. The businesses that win verify the factory, lock in samples before production and budget for landed cost, not just the unit price.
For years I've watched Queensland importers get burned by the same three things: the wrong factory, no quality checks and a landed cost nobody calculated. This guide shows you how to avoid all three.
You brief a factory, approve samples, pay a deposit, produce, inspect and ship. That's the whole loop. The hard yards are in the details: who you choose, what you put in writing and how you check the goods before they leave China.
Epic Sourcing runs bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam, so Brisbane clients get a local contact here and eyes on the factory floor there. We've sourced 20,000+ products for 300+ happy clients, with an average saving of around 77%.
Specs, materials, target price, MOQ and packaging. A one-page brief beats ten vague emails every time.
Alibaba listings are not proof of a factory. Check the business licence, visit or audit the site and ask for references. Our guide to verifying a Chinese supplier before you pay walks through it.
Never skip this. Approve one physical sample and keep it as the benchmark for production.
Typical terms are 30% deposit and 70% before shipping. See what MOQ means and how to negotiate it.
Inspect at around 80% completion and again before loading. Our quality control guide shows what to check.
Unit price is only part of it. Here is a worked example for a 1,000-unit run of a homewares product with an FOB price of A$8.00.
| Cost item | Example (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Product (1,000 x A$8.00 FOB) | A$8,000 |
| Sea freight to Brisbane (LCL, approx.) | A$900 to A$1,500 |
| Import duty (typically 0% to 5%) | A$0 to A$400 |
| GST (10% on customs value plus freight) | A$900 to A$1,000 |
| Customs broker and port charges | A$400 to A$800 |
| Local delivery in Brisbane | A$150 to A$350 |
These are indicative ranges only and change with freight rates and duty classification. Use our landed cost guide and the full manufacturing cost breakdown before you commit.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Sourcing and factory verification | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Sampling and approval | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Mass production | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Inspection and loading | 1 week |
| Sea freight to Port of Brisbane | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Customs and delivery | 3 to 7 days |
Chinese New Year and Golden Week can add weeks, so plan production around them. Compare sea freight and air freight if you are racing a deadline.
Goods arriving at the Port of Brisbane clear through Australian Border Force and, for many products, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Timber packaging, plant-based items and food products attract the closest attention. Read what a DAFF import permit is before you order, and line up a broker early: see our Brisbane customs broker guide.
New to the whole process? Start with our Brisbane importing guide. If you also want a second source outside China, see our Vietnam import guide for Sydney and the Vietnam to Brisbane guide.
Paying 100% upfront, skipping the golden sample, ignoring landed cost, trusting a trading company posing as a factory and leaving inspection until the goods are already at the port. Every one of these is avoidable with a clear process and someone checking on the ground.
It varies by product. Many factories ask for 300 to 1,000 units, though custom work can run higher. A sourcing agent can often negotiate lower trial runs.
Sea freight is typically 2 to 4 weeks port to port. Air freight takes days but costs significantly more.
Yes. GST of 10% applies to the customs value plus freight and insurance, plus any duty. Registered businesses can usually claim it back.
Check the business licence, run a factory audit, request references and see production first-hand or through a local team.
For most products, yes, even after freight and duty. Epic clients save around 77% on average versus their previous sourcing route.
We find and audit the factory, manage samples, negotiate price, inspect production and coordinate freight. Our bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam, with offices in 5 countries, do the hard yards so you don't have to. See our China import service, check pricing, or give us a bell to talk through your product.
