Shopping from international stores has become more popular than ever—but for Australians, the biggest question remains: How do you get your overseas orders delivered affordably and reliably?Two of the most common solutions are Buy&Ship’s proxy shopping service and traditional Australian freight forwarders. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both, and help you decide which one is best for your next international shopping spree.
📦 What Is a Freight Forwarder vs. a Proxy Shopping Service?
Traditional Freight Forwarder (e.g. Australia Post MyPost, ShopMate, third-party forwarders)
- You place the order yourself using a provided overseas address.
- The forwarder receives the package and sends it to you in Australia.
- You handle all payments and communication with the seller.
Buy&Ship Proxy Shopping
- You submit the product link, and Buy&Ship places the order for you.
- No need for local phone numbers or credit cards.
- Buy&Ship handles all logistics, payments, and shipping to Australia.
📊 Buy&Ship vs. Traditional Forwarders: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Buy&Ship Australia | Traditional Forwarders |
|---|---|---|
| Can purchase on your behalf | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Requires overseas address | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Requires local phone number | ❌ No | ✅ Often required |
| Can consolidate shipments | ✅ Yes (across countries) | ⚠️ Sometimes (same region) |
| Supported regions | JP, KR, US, UK, CA, HK, CN, TW | Limited to US/UK mostly |
| Transparent pricing in AUD | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Sometimes with surcharges |
| Handles returns | ✅ For select countries | ❌ Often user responsibility |
| Customer support | ✅ Localised | ⚠️ Varies widely |
💸 Which One Is More Affordable?
While traditional forwarders may seem cheaper upfront, they often charge:
- Volumetric weight pricing
- High handling or customs clearance fees
- Surcharges for consolidation or repackaging
Buy&Ship offers a transparent fee structure:
- Service fee from 6% (proxy shopping)
- International shipping: AUD 28 for first 2 lb, then AUD 12 per additional lb
- No hidden charges, everything shown in your dashboard
🧠 Tip: You can also consolidate packages from multiple countries, which most traditional forwarders don’t allow.
🛠 Ease of Use: Self-Purchase vs. Assisted Purchase
Traditional Forwarders
- You must complete the purchase on the brand’s website.
- If the store doesn’t accept international cards or Australian addresses, you’re stuck.
- You’ll need to enter your forwarder’s warehouse address, manage order tracking, and communicate directly with the seller.
Buy&Ship Proxy Shopping
- Just paste the product link and let Buy&Ship handle the order.
- No need for international payment methods.
- Full process handled in one platform.
🌐 Multi-Country Access
Most Australian forwarders only offer addresses in one or two countries (usually the US or UK).Buy&Ship provides access to warehouses in:
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🇰🇷 Korea
- 🇺🇸 United States
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🇭🇰 Hong Kong
- 🇨🇳 China
- 🇹🇼 Taiwan
This means you can order skincare from Korea, streetwear from the US, and gadgets from Japan—all in one shipment.
🛃 Customs & Duties
With traditional forwarders:
- Users often find out about taxes only upon delivery, with limited support.
- Customs delays can occur due to incomplete documentation.
Buy&Ship provides:
- Clear estimates of tax thresholds (e.g. under AUD 1,000 = no GST/duties)
- Automated customs forms submission
- Localised support if your parcel is flagged by customs
✅ Check Buy&Ship Australia’s taxation page for full details.
📢 Real User Testimonials
“I used a forwarder once and got hit with surprise volumetric fees. Buy&Ship showed me exact costs upfront and even helped with a return to Japan.” – Daniel, Sydney
“I used Buy&Ship to buy makeup from Korea and couldn’t believe how easy it was. No translation, no weird payment errors. Just click and done.” – Renee, Melbourne
🧾 When Should You Choose Buy&Ship?
Use Buy&Ship if you:
- Want to buy from multiple countries in one order
- Struggle with international checkouts or payment rejections
- Need price transparency and consolidated shipping
- Prefer a hands-off experience from purchase to delivery
📍 When Is a Traditional Forwarder Still Useful?
Traditional forwarders might be suitable if:
- You’re an advanced buyer placing bulk business orders
- You have your own local payment method (e.g. US credit card)
- The item can’t be ordered by a third party due to exclusivity or identity checks
🎯 Final Verdict: Which Is Better?
While both options have their place, Buy&Ship stands out for most Australian shoppers thanks to its:
- Seamless order process
- Transparent pricing
- Global reach
- Reliable support
For hassle-free international shopping, especially from countries like Japan, Korea, and the US, Buy&Ship offers an experience that’s simply better suited for everyday consumers.
👉 Learn more or get started now at https://au.buynship.com/