A practical 2026 guide for Australian retailers importing tents, backpacks, camp furniture and gas stoves from China, covering AS/NZS compliance, landed costs and how to avoid supplier scams, with a Sunshine Coast lens on the fastest-growing outdoor retail market.
In short: Yes, you can import camping and outdoor gear from China to Australia profitably in 2026 — tents, hiking backpacks, camp furniture and portable stoves are all sourced this way by Aussie retailers every day. The keys are choosing factories that already meet AS/NZS safety standards (especially for gas appliances and tent flammability), budgeting for bulky freight, and working with a sourcing partner who can inspect goods before they leave China. Typical savings against buying pre-made stock from a local wholesaler run 40-77% depending on category and order volume.
Last updated: 8 July 2026
The Sunshine Coast's outdoor, caravan and adventure retail scene has boomed alongside Queensland's grey nomad and weekend-warrior culture. Local retailers selling tents, swags, hiking packs and camp kitchen gear are increasingly skipping the local wholesaler markup and sourcing directly from Chinese manufacturers.
The maths is simple: a mid-range 4-person dome tent that costs a retailer $85-110 wholesale through an Australian distributor can often be manufactured for $22-35 landed, once you're ordering in commercial volumes. That's before you factor in the ability to customise colours, add your own branding, or develop a product nobody else in the Aussie market is stocking.
Not every camping product is equally simple to bring in. Some categories have straightforward manufacturing and low compliance friction; others carry more risk.
China dominates global tent manufacturing. Factories in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces produce everything from budget dome tents to premium canvas swags. The main compliance point is flammability — tent fabric sold in Australia should meet AS 1530.2 or equivalent, and a reputable factory will test and certify this before shipping.
Backpacks are relatively low-risk from a compliance standpoint (no gas, no open flame, no electrical components), which makes them a good entry category for first-time importers. MOQs typically start around 200-500 units per design.
This is where freight becomes the real cost driver rather than the product itself. Folding chairs and tables are bulky and low-value-density, so sea freight cubic metre (CBM) costs can outweigh the unit cost of the goods. Get your freight forwarder to quote CBM rates before you commit to an order size.
This is the highest-risk camping category. Gas camping stoves and butane canisters sold in Australia must comply with AS/NZS 4691 and related gas safety standards, and typically need to go through a registered certification body before sale. Don't skip this step — non-compliant gas products can be seized at the border and the importer held liable.
Most Aussie retailers start on Alibaba or 1688, but a listing alone doesn't tell you whether a factory can actually meet Australian safety standards. Before paying a deposit, request the factory's existing test reports for the specific standard your product needs (AS 1530.2 for tent fabric, AS/NZS 4691 for gas appliances), and ask for photos or video of their production line — not just the showroom.
This is exactly the stage where a sourcing agent with people on the ground earns their fee. Epic Sourcing's bilingual China team physically visits factories, checks certifications against the originals, and arranges independent third-party inspection before goods are loaded — so you're not relying on a supplier's word for it.
Here's a worked example based on a mixed container of tents, backpacks and camp chairs — figures are indicative and will vary by supplier and season.
Cost itemTypical range (AUD)Product cost (FOB China, mixed camping SKUs, 1x20ft container)$14,000 - $22,000Sea freight, China to Brisbane/Sydney port$2,800 - $5,500Customs duty (5% on most camping goods, varies by HS code)$700 - $1,100GST (10% on landed value + duty)$1,750 - $2,860Local delivery + customs broker fee$600 - $1,200Estimated total landed cost$19,850 - $32,660
Against that, the same volume of product bought pre-imported through an Australian wholesaler would typically cost 2-3x more at wholesale price, which is where the 40-77% savings range comes from.
Some do. Products containing natural fibres, untreated timber (tent poles, camp furniture frames) or down/feather filling (sleeping bags) can trigger a biosecurity inspection under DAFF's import conditions. If your shipment includes wooden components, check our DAFF import permit guide before you book freight — declaring these items upfront avoids costly delays at the wharf.
Usually yes, once you're ordering in commercial volumes (typically 200+ units per SKU). Savings of 40-77% against local wholesale pricing are common, though smaller orders may not clear the minimum order quantities most factories require to hit that pricing.
It varies by product. Backpacks and soft goods often start at 200-500 units per design. Tents and gas appliances, which require tooling and certification, often start at 500-1,000 units to be cost-effective.
You don't need an import licence as such, but gas appliances must meet AS/NZS 4691 and related standards and typically require certification through a recognised certification body before sale. Non-compliant stock can be seized at the border.
Allow 4-6 weeks for production (longer for first-run tooling on custom designs), plus 3-4 weeks sea freight to an Australian port, plus customs clearance. Most first orders take 10-14 weeks from deposit to warehouse.
Yes. Our China team coordinates with accredited testing labs to get AS 1530.2 or AS/NZS 4691 testing done before goods ship, so you're not discovering compliance issues after the container has already left port.
Epic Sourcing has helped source more than 20,000 products for 300+ happy clients across Australia and New Zealand, with bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam and offices in five countries. Whether you're bringing in your first container of tents or scaling up a full camping and outdoor range, our team handles factory vetting, compliance checks, quality inspection and warehousing and 3PL so you can focus on selling. We also help retailers diversify into related categories — see our guide to sourcing outdoor and garden products from China for the patio and backyard side of the business.
Ready to find a factory that actually meets AS/NZS standards? Get in touch with the Epic Sourcing team for a free consultation on your camping and outdoor gear range.
