Choosing a freight forwarder in Perth can make or break your landed cost. We break down how Fremantle imports work, what to pay, how to pick a forwarder, and where a sourcing agent fits in.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
In short: A freight forwarder in Perth books your cargo from the factory in China or Vietnam, arranges the sea or air leg, and gets it to your door via Fremantle. Perth is a long way from the east coast ports, so routing and timing matter more than the headline rate. The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest landed cost.
A forwarder is your travel agent for cargo. They book space with the shipping line, arrange pick-up from the factory, and track the container until it lands in Western Australia.
Most also handle the paperwork, either in-house or through a licensed customs broker. Good ones warn you early when something goes wrong, like a booking rolled to the next sailing.
For the full role breakdown, read our guide on what is a freight forwarder.
Sea freight for Perth generally lands at Fremantle. Air freight comes in through Perth Airport. Check with your forwarder whether your sailing is direct or transships through another Asian hub, because that changes both cost and transit time.
Western Australia has a strong direct link to Asia, which is good news for China and Vietnam cargo. Still, schedules shift, so build a buffer into every launch date.
It depends on volume, product type and season. Small shipments usually move as LCL (shared container) and are priced per cubic metre. Bigger orders move as FCL (a full container). Our guide on FCL vs LCL explains when each one makes sense.
For current rates and transit times, see our breakdown of shipping from China to Australia. Always get at least two quotes and ask for every charge in writing.
Here is an illustrative LCL example for a Perth e-commerce brand. These are sample figures only. Your quote will differ.
| Cost line | Illustrative AUD |
|---|---|
| Goods (FOB price) | $6,000 |
| Import duty (5% of customs value) | $300 |
| Sea freight and insurance | $800 |
| GST (10% on goods, duty and freight) | $710 |
| Customs broker fee | $150 |
| Port, terminal and local delivery | $450 |
| Total cash outlay | $8,410 |
If you are GST registered, you can usually claim the GST back. That drops your real cost to about $7,700. Use our landed cost guide to build your own numbers.
They do different jobs. A forwarder moves the goods. A sourcing agent finds the factory, negotiates the price, checks quality and makes sure the cargo is ready to ship.
Most Perth importers who get burned have a great forwarder and a bad factory. Epic Sourcing has bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam, so problems get fixed before your goods are on the water. Our China to Australia import service covers the whole chain.
Ask these five questions before you sign anything:
Eastern states buyers face the same choices. See our guides to a freight forwarder in Sydney and a freight forwarder in Melbourne to compare. If your goods land in South Australia instead, read our Adelaide customs broker guide.
Sea freight is typically a few weeks port to port, plus time for pick-up, customs and delivery. Allow extra during peak season and around Chinese New Year.
For most commercial imports above the low-value threshold, yes. A licensed broker lodges your import declaration and helps with duty and GST.
LCL suits smaller orders because you only pay for the space you use. FCL usually wins once you fill most of a container.
Rarely. Forwarders move cargo. For supplier finding and quality control, use a sourcing agent.
Vietnam cargo follows the same process, often via transhipment hubs. Ask your forwarder to confirm the routing.
We have sourced 20,000+ products for 300+ happy clients, with average savings of around 77%. Our teams in China and Vietnam handle suppliers, quality and shipping coordination, so your Perth cargo arrives on time and on budget. Give us a bell and we will map out your next shipment. You can also check our pricing first.
