A Melbourne freight forwarder books your cargo from the factory in China to your door. Here is how to choose a good one, what it costs, a worked landed-cost example, and the red flags that cost Aussie importers thousands.
Last updated: 5 October 2026
In short: A freight forwarder in Melbourne books and manages the shipping of your goods from the factory in China to your door. The best ones quote every cost upfront, handle the paperwork and keep you updated when ships run late. Pick one that works with a licensed customs broker, shows full landed costs and has real China-side agents, not just a Melbourne office.
A freight forwarder is the travel agent for your cargo. They book space on the ship or plane, arrange pick-up from your supplier, and organise delivery from the Port of Melbourne to your warehouse. Most also offer cargo insurance and can connect you with a customs broker.
They don't own the ships. They buy space in bulk and resell it to you, which is why a good forwarder can often beat the price you'd get by going direct to a shipping line. For a deeper definition, see our guide on what a freight forwarder is.
Melbourne is Australia's busiest container port, so there's plenty of competition between forwarders and plenty of weekly sailings from China. That's good news for Aussie importers. It also means port congestion can bite during peak season, so your forwarder's relationships matter.
If you're new to the process, start with our step-by-step guide to importing from China to Melbourne.
Your total shipping bill is made up of several parts, and cheap headline rates often hide extras. Always ask for a quote that shows every line.
Rates change constantly, so treat any figure you read online as a guide only. Get at least three written quotes. Our sea vs air freight comparison shows when each option makes sense.
Here's an illustrative example for one 20ft container of homewares. These numbers are examples to show the method, not live quotes.
| Item | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Goods at FOB China port | $10,000 |
| International freight and insurance | $1,500 |
| Customs duty (5% of $10,000) | $500 |
| GST (10% of $12,000) | $1,200 |
| Local charges, cartage and broker (estimate) | $900 |
| Total landed (GST claimable if registered) | $14,100 |
The lesson? Freight is only one slice. Use our landed cost guide to build the full picture before you place an order.
Ask these five questions before you sign anything:
Be wary of a rate that's far below every other quote. It often means local charges or surcharges are missing. Also be cautious of forwarders who won't put terms in writing, who can't explain who the carrier is, or who push you to pay a personal account. If you're moving small volumes, consider LCL, and read our FCL vs LCL guide.
Not necessarily. Many forwarders cover Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle too. But local knowledge matters at the destination end, like the right cartage for your suburb or warehouse. Importing into Queensland? Our Brisbane customs broker guide covers the clearance side.
A freight forwarder moves your cargo. A customs broker clears it with the Australian Border Force and lodges your import declaration. Many forwarders have in-house or partner brokers, so you can often get both under one roof.
Not legally, but it's the practical choice for most businesses. Booking directly with a shipping line is hard for small shipments, and you'd still need to organise cartage and customs clearance yourself.
Sea freight typically takes around three to five weeks port to port, plus time for loading, clearance and delivery. Air freight is much faster, often under a week, but costs more per kilo. Peak seasons and congestion can add delays.
Ideally one with both. A China-side presence helps with cargo pick-up, consolidation and fixing problems at the factory, while a Melbourne team manages local delivery and clearance.
Yes. At Epic Sourcing we coordinate freight alongside supplier management and quality control, so one team is accountable from factory to warehouse.
We've sourced 20,000+ products for 300+ happy clients, with bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam and offices in 5 countries. Our clients save around 77% on average versus local wholesale, and we coordinate freight so your goods land on time. Importing for a private label range? See our private label guide. Ready to chat? Give us a bell or see our importing from China service and warehousing and 3PL.
