In this article you’ll find everything you need to know about ordering from iHerb to Australia. You’ll find out which shipping method is best, what taxes you’ll have to pay, what you can and can’t bring in, and how to pay for your purchases. We’ll be updating the information regularly to keep it up to date.
Quick Links to Key Information
Official iHerb website for Australia
The official site for Australian shoppers can be found at au.iherb.com. There, prices are listed in Australian dollars (AU$) and the language is English. If you are on the global version (iherb.com), change the country in the site settings by clicking on the button at the top of the page (shown in the picture above).
IHerb Shipping Methods to Australia
You will have four shipping options to choose from: Global Air with Tracking, Australia Post, FedEx, and DHL Express. Let’s clarify right away that to get iHerb free shipping to Australia, you should choose Global Air with Tracking. We also recommend taking advantage of iHerb promo codes for Australia – this way, you will not only get free shipping but also be able to reduce the price of your cart by 10 to 30%. Now, let’s take a closer look at each delivery method.
1. Global Air with Tracking
- Limits: Up to AU$220 and 4.5 kg.
- Cost: Free for orders over AU$80 and paid (AU$5) for smaller orders.
- Tracking: Full tracking.
- Features: iHerb chooses the carrier (Australia Post, DAI Post, or Aramex). Does not deliver to PO Boxes or Parcel Lockers.
2. Australia Post
- Limits: Up to AU$220 and 4.5 kg.
- Cost: AU$5 if the order is over AU$80. If less, the cost is calculated based on the weight of the package.
- Tracking: Full tracking.
- Features: Delivery to PO Boxes and Parcel Lockers is available.
3. FedEx
- Limits: Up to AU$600 and 68 kg.
- Cost: Depends on the order.
- Tracking: Full tracking.
- Features: Does not deliver to PO Boxes. Customs clearance fees may apply.
4. DHL Express
- Limits: Up to AU$600 and 68 kg.
- Cost: Depends on the order.
- Tracking: Full tracking.
- Features: Does not deliver to PO Boxes. Customs clearance fees may apply.
Which method to choose to get free shipping?
Here you should be guided by the amount of your order and how much your parcel will weigh. You will be able to see the total weight at checkout. In the screenshot we have shown where the information about the weight of all supplements and the value of our order is located.
- For small orders (up to AU$220 and 4.5kg): Global Air or Australia Post.
- For large orders (up to AU$600 and 68kg): FedEx or DHL Express.
Delivery Times
Delivery times for goods from iHerb to Australia depend on the chosen method and range from 10 to 20 days. Global Air Delivery with Tracking is the fastest option. Also, please pay attention to weather conditions. Because at the time of writing this article, we encountered the following issue:
“Due to Cyclone Alfred, delivery services in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales are expected to encounter delays. We are working diligently with the carriers to resolve the delay and service suspension as soon as possible.”
iHerb
According to our observations, this happens quite often, so if you need something urgently, it is better to plan your order in advance.
Customs Limits for iHerb Australia
Maximum Duty-Free Order Value
Unfortunately, Australia has not had a completely duty-free import threshold since July 1, 2018. A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% is applied to all orders valued up to AU$1000. If the order value exceeds AU$1000, customs duties are added on top of the GST.
- Up to AU$1000: Pay GST 10%.
- Over AU$1000: Pay GST 10% + duties (duties vary depending on the type of goods).
How is the Value Calculated?
Customs takes into account the final value of the goods after discounts, but excluding shipping costs. The currency is converted at the exchange rate at the time of customs clearance, not the order date. Therefore, it’s best not to make an order too close to the AU$1000 limit — leave some buffer in case of exchange rate fluctuations.
Example:
- Order of AU$950: GST ≈ AU$95.
- Order of AU$1050: GST ≈ AU$105 + duties.
Number of Parcels per Month
There are no restrictions on the number of parcels per month, but if several orders arrive at customs at the same time, they may be combined into one parcel. In this case, taxes and duties will be charged on the total value. We advise taking a break between orders of about 3-4 days, or preferably a week. Then your parcels will definitely arrive at different times, and you will not pay additional fees.
What Items Can and Cannot Be Ordered from iHerb to Australia
iHerb blocks most prohibited items on the website, but please always double-check the ingredients yourself. The following items are prohibited from being imported into Australia:
- Prohibited Supplements: Hemp oil, egg yolks, dairy products, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), bee pollen, bananas, Hoodia, Kava, Camu Camu powder, Cordyceps powder, hormones (pregnenolone, HGH, 7-Keto), enzymes.
- Powdered Products: May cause delays at customs.
- Goods Requiring Permits: Dried beans, lentils, rice, pet products – require an import permit.
You can see the full list of restrictions on the BICON website (Biosecurity Import Conditions System).
What happens if you order prohibited items?
Such parcels may be confiscated, and you will not receive a refund for them. However, based on our experience, iHerb thoroughly checks everything, and you will not find prohibited items on the Australian version of the website, so you don’t need to worry.
Payment Methods
iHerb accepts over 30 payment methods, so you will have no problem paying for your order:
- Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, Maestro, Diners Club, ELO, BC Global.
- Digital Wallets: PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Naver Pay, PAYCO, Kakao Pay.
- Installments: Klarna Pay Over Time.
- Bank Transfer: via KCP (SHINHAN, IBK, KB, Hana, NH, WOORI, CITI, KEB).
Useful Tips
- Leave a margin on the order value to avoid duties due to exchange rate fluctuations.
- Take a break between orders so that parcels are not combined at customs.
- Pay for your order in USD – this way you will avoid double conversion.
Now you are ready to order from iHerb to Australia. If something is unclear, write in the comments – we will figure it out!