Most Australian tile shops, builders and developers buy through tile importers who add two or three margins before the tile hits the slab. This guide shows Sunshine Coast and Queensland buyers how importing direct from Foshan or Vietnam actually works in 2026 — slip ratings, asbestos testing, weight-limited containers, breakage allowances and a worked AUD landed-cost example.
Last updated: 27 September 2026
In short: Most tiles sold in Australia are imported — usually from China, Vietnam, Italy or Spain — and most tile shops and builders buy them through local tile importers and distributors who add two or three margins along the way. If you use more than roughly 1,000 m² a year, importing porcelain tiles direct from a factory in Foshan (China) or northern Vietnam can land them in Queensland for around a third to half of local wholesale. The catch: you need to handle slip ratings, asbestos-free proof, weight-limited containers and breakage yourself — or have a sourcing partner handle them for you.
For years I've watched Sunshine Coast builders and tile retailers pay importer prices for the exact same Foshan porcelain their suppliers bought for a fraction of the cost. With the region's housing and renovation pipeline still running hot, that margin is too big to ignore. Let's get into it.
A tile importer buys tiles in container loads from overseas factories, clears them through Australian customs, warehouses them and on-sells to tile shops, builders and trade customers. Some also run showrooms. You're paying them for stock-holding, range curation and credit terms — all genuinely useful services.
But you're also paying for their margin, their distributor's margin and the showroom's margin. On a commodity 600x600mm porcelain tile, that stack is often what turns a US$5 factory price into a A$35–$60/m² retail price.
Usually, yes — if your volume justifies a container. Tiles are heavy and cheap per kilo, so freight is a big slice of the cost. Below one container a year, a good local importer is often the smarter buy. Above that, direct importing starts paying for itself fast.
Here's an indicative 2026 landed-cost breakdown for one 20ft container of 600x600mm, 9–10mm matt porcelain from Foshan, delivered to a Sunshine Coast warehouse via the Port of Brisbane. Figures are estimates in AUD and will vary with exchange rates, freight markets and tile spec.
| Cost line | Estimate (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles, ~1,000 m² @ US$5.50/m² FOB | $8,450 | At ~0.65 AUD/USD |
| Sea freight + marine insurance (Nansha to Brisbane) | $2,800 | Highly variable — check current rates |
| Import duty | $0 | 0% under ChAFTA with a valid certificate of origin (5% without) |
| Customs broker, port, DAFF and terminal charges | $1,400 | Includes biosecurity processing |
| Container cartage Brisbane to Sunshine Coast | $900 | Side-loader or tilt-tray, ~100 km |
| Asbestos testing (pre-shipment, NATA-accepted lab) | $800 | Strongly recommended — see below |
| Pre-shipment QC inspection | $500 | Shade, size, flatness, packing |
| Total landed (ex GST) | ~$14,850 | ≈ $14.85/m² |
Compare that to local trade pricing of roughly $25–$45/m² for a similar tile and the saving on one container can run to $10,000–$30,000. GST (10%) is payable at the border, but GST-registered businesses claim it back. For the full method, see our guide to calculating landed cost.
Both are strong, and they suit different buyers.
Foshan in Guangdong is the tile capital of the world. You'll find thousands of factories and showrooms covering porcelain, large-format slabs, sintered stone, mosaics and outdoor pavers. Range, speed and price are unbeatable, but quality varies wildly between factories that look identical on Alibaba.
Jinjiang (Fujian) and Zibo (Shandong) are big for ceramic and budget ranges. Useful for price-driven projects, less so for premium finishes.
Vietnam is now one of the world's largest tile producers. Factories around Hanoi and the Red River Delta make good-quality ceramic and porcelain, often with fewer MOQ headaches on mid-range products. It's also a smart China Plus One option if your customers ask about supply-chain diversity.
This is where DIY importers get burnt. Tick these off before you pay a deposit.
Australian builders and certifiers expect slip ratings tested to AS 4586 (P-ratings, e.g. P3 or P4 for wet areas and outdoor). A European R-rating on the box isn't the same thing. Ask for a recent AS 4586 test report for the exact tile, or budget to have samples tested here.
Australia bans the import of any goods containing asbestos, and the Australian Border Force has found it in building products from overseas. The importer is legally responsible. Don't rely on a supplier's word — get pre-shipment testing by an accredited lab and keep the reports. Tile adhesives, grouts and backer boards deserve the same care.
Tiles usually ship on timber pallets or in crates. These must be ISPM 15 treated and marked or DAFF may order treatment, re-export or destruction. Our ISPM 15 guide explains what to ask for.
Australia banned engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs from 1 July 2024. Ceramic and porcelain tiles and sintered stone sit outside that ban, but make sure what you order is clearly specified — don't let a supplier upsell you a quartz slab that can't legally be installed.
With tiles, weight runs out before space does. A 20ft container of porcelain typically carries around 20–25 tonnes of product, and road-weight limits on the Queensland end matter too. A 600x600mm, 9–10mm porcelain tile weighs roughly 20–23 kg/m², so plan on about 900–1,100 m² per 20ft container.
A 40ft container doesn't double that — it's still weight-limited — so most tile buyers ship full 20ft containers. If you only need a few hundred square metres, LCL (shared container) is possible but the per-m² freight cost rises sharply. Our FCL vs LCL guide covers the trade-off.
Two batches of the same tile can look noticeably different. Order a whole project from one production batch, and ask for the shade and calibre codes on every carton.
Allow 2–3% for breakage in transit, and more for large-format slabs. Insist on corner protectors, strapping and proper crate packing — then check it at inspection.
The tile that arrives isn't always the tile you sampled — thinner body, different glaze, glazed porcelain sold as full-body. A pre-shipment inspection against a signed golden sample is your cheapest insurance.
Many Foshan "factories" are showrooms or traders. That isn't automatically bad, but you should know who you're paying. Verify the business licence and bank account name before any deposit.
Direct importing makes the most sense for Sunshine Coast and South East Queensland tile retailers, volume builders, developers and multi-unit projects, and renovation businesses with repeat ranges. The same logic applies to tapware, vanities and fit-out items — see our fit-out sourcing guide.
If you're buying a few boxes for a single bathroom, stick with a local tile shop. The saving won't cover the freight and admin.
No specific licence is needed for ceramic or porcelain tiles. You'll need an ABN, a customs broker (or your own ICS client registration) and compliant packaging. The real obligations are asbestos-free proof and ISPM 15 timber packaging.
The general rate for most ceramic tiles is 5%, but it drops to 0% under the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement if you have a valid certificate of origin. Vietnamese tiles can also enter duty-free under trade agreements with the right paperwork. GST of 10% applies either way.
Allow 3–5 weeks for production of a standard range, 2–3 weeks of sea freight from Nansha or Shekou to Brisbane, and about a week for clearance and delivery. Budget 6–10 weeks door to door, and longer around Chinese New Year.
Stock ranges can start from a few hundred square metres, but custom sizes, finishes or branding usually need a full container (roughly 1,000 m²). Mixing several designs in one container is common and fine.
The best Foshan factories supply premium brands worldwide. The problem isn't China — it's picking the wrong factory and skipping inspection. Verified factories, AS 4586 test reports and pre-shipment QC make the difference.
Epic Sourcing has sourced 20,000+ products for 300+ happy clients, with bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam and offices in five countries. For tile and fit-out buyers, we shortlist and verify factories in Foshan and Vietnam, get samples to your door, arrange AS 4586 and asbestos testing, inspect before shipping and coordinate freight to the Sunshine Coast. Our clients save an average of 77% versus buying through local middlemen.
Learn more about importing products from China to Australia, or book a free discovery call with the Epic team — give us a bell and we'll price your next container.
Also new on the blog: our guide to custom clothing labels and swing tags from China.
