Shipping restrictions
Items that are considered dangerous, prohibited or restricted cannot be imported into Australia using ShopMate. Customs Authorities in both countries employ strict measures to monitor each and every item processed. The list below is not a comprehensive list but a list of common items that you cannot send using ShopMate.
Prohibited or restricted items by Australian Border Protection
- Animal products and by-products (finished leather products are acceptable)
- Counterfeit goods
- Prohibited and/or medicinal drugs
- Ivory and ivory by-products
Whilst every effort is made to disallow shipping of the below items Australian Border Force may impose additional charges for import clearance. If this occurs we will provide you with an opportunity to discard the package and in doing so you would forfeit the value of the parcel along with any postage costs. More information can be located at https://www.abf.gov.au/buying-online/buying-online and https://shopmate.auspost.com.au/our-rates/other-charges
Items that are explosive, highly flammable, radioactive or otherwise dangerous
- Aerosols
- Compressed or pressurised gas (including shocks for car, bicycle and outdoor equipment).
- Chemicals
- Engine oils / essential oils
- Flammable and toxic content products
- Fuels, gasoline and gas torches
- Hazardous or loose liquids
- Ink cartridges
- Lithium ion batteries (must be a new device and installed securely in the device - such devices must be packed in original manufacturer's packaging to comply with air shipping regulations relevant paperwork must be supplied like MSDS and DG certification). We unable to ship any used lithium batteries or devices with lithium batteries greater than 100Wh, such as eWheels
- Magnetized Material
- Nail polish/s
- Perfume or aftershaves
- Portable battery chargers (including powercore/powerports which also function as a powerbank)
ShopMate will not handle the following
- Bullion, banknotes and coins
- e-cigarettes, vaporisers and evape
- Food, food by-products or perishable items
- Magazines, catalogues, flyers, circulars
- Supplements / vitamins
- Organic materials
- Personal effects (used items)
- Pharmaceutical products
- Plants & plant materials and seeds
- Prescription, traditional and natural Medicines
- Precious metals and gemstones
- Tobacco and Tobacco Products
- Weapons and firearms - antique and collectible firearms, paintball guns; bb guns, soft air firearms, rifles, handguns, shotguns, muzzle loading firearms, replicas, imitation firearms, (which could include toys), pistols, ammunition, parts, accessories, and all firearm components
- Knives of any kind (except Swiss Army Knife, Kitchen Knives and Multi-tool)
- Wooden articles and items
ShopMate is unable to handle the following items and will be discarded upon arrival due to Local Legislation in Oregon:
- Alcoholic products or beverages (item(s) will be discarded at origin and unable to be processed for returns or redirected to another address)
- Cannabidiol or Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products ‘(item(s) will be discarded at origin and unable to be processed for returns or redirected to another address)
These restrictions are in addition to Australia Post's list of dangerous and prohibited goods, please click here.
What happens to dangerous and prohibited items?
If you order products that are classified dangerous or prohibited and cannot be legally exported from the US to Australia, ShopMate may not return those items to the US merchant or ship them to an alternative address. You should be aware that they are subject to seizure by customs law enforcement authorities who may investigate further.
Once customs has completed their investigation, you will have the option to either:
Once customs has completed their investigation, you will have the option to either:
- arrange a return to the US merchant, or
- advise us to dispose of the product
Weight and size restrictions
The maximum weight of a single parcel that can be sent through ShopMate is 22kg.
Individual parcels must not exceed the following dimensions:
Individual parcels must not exceed the following dimensions:
- a maximum girth of 200cm
- no one side greater than 1.05m in length
- a dimension greater than 0.25 cubic metres
The formula for working out the girth of your overseas parcel is:
Width + height x 2 = girth
For example: 30cm + 20cm = 50cm x 2 = 100cm girth
In the event that a parcel exceeds our weight or dimension restrictions, you will be notified and given the option to either pay for a return to the US merchant, or alternatively, pay AUD5 to have the item destroyed in the US.
Width + height x 2 = girth
For example: 30cm + 20cm = 50cm x 2 = 100cm girth
In the event that a parcel exceeds our weight or dimension restrictions, you will be notified and given the option to either pay for a return to the US merchant, or alternatively, pay AUD5 to have the item destroyed in the US.
Cold storage shipping
ShopMate does not offer a cold storage shipping solution. Please do not send any perishables or items that may be affected by the change in climate. .
