Does Walmart Deliver to Australia in 2022? (No, But Here‘s How to Shop Smart Anyway)
As an experienced ecommerce seller and Amazon expert, one question I often get from Australian readers is "Can I get Walmart products shipped directly to me here from the US?"
The short answer is unfortunately no, Walmart does not currently deliver items directly to Australia. But with some savvy shopping techniques, you can still access many Walmart goods and find the best deals on everything from groceries to electronics.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll cover:
- Why Walmart doesn‘t operate in Australia
- How to use package forwarding to get Walmart items shipped to Australia
- The best Walmart alternatives within Australia for in-store and online shopping
- Tips for Australians to save money when shopping online
Let‘s dive in!
Why Doesn‘t Walmart Ship to Australia?
With over 4,700 stores across the United States and ecommerce sales of over $64 billion annually, Walmart is the largest retailer in the world. However, they have not expanded their direct operations internationally beyond countries like Mexico and China.
There are a few key reasons why Walmart does not offer delivery options to Australia currently:
Challenges of International Expansion
Expanding internationally comes with costs and risks, especially for a retailer Walmart‘s size. They would have to establish new supply chains, inventory management systems, logistics networks and more specifically for the Australian market.
It took Walmart decades to perfect their US operations before expanding to other countries. Jumping into a new market like Australia would be highly complex and requires significant upfront investment.
High Shipping Costs
Shipping items all the way from the US to Australia is expensive, even for a massive company like Walmart. International freight, customs charges, duties, and taxes can add substantial costs for both the retailer and consumer.
Passing these expenses along in the final price would make Walmart‘s products far less competitively priced compared to local retailers. Maintaining their "Every Day Low Prices" strategy internationally is difficult.
Focus on US Supply Chains
Walmart has fine-tuned its US supply chain over many years to minimize costs and deliver speed. For example, their grocery delivery services and store pickup options rely on extensive networks of stores and warehouses optimized for domestic transportation.
Prioritizing expansion into Australia would divert resources away from sustaining leadership in the US market, which still offers Walmart plenty of growth opportunities.
How to Get Walmart Items Shipped to Australia
Now just because Walmart doesn‘t directly deliver to Australia doesn‘t mean you can‘t get your hands on their exclusive brands and great deals. Using a package forwarding service, any item you order on Walmart.com can be shipped to an Australian address.
Step 1: Pick a Package Forwarding Company
International package forwarding works by giving you a US address that items can be shipped to domestically. The forwarding company then takes care of international shipment to you in Australia.
Some top package forwarding options include:
- DHL ShopMate – Reliable, worldwide shipping but higher rates
- FedEx International – Known for fast US to Australia delivery
- UPS – Range of speed vs. budget shipping options
- Planet Express – Budget-friendly with lower weight limits
I recommend comparing rates across a few different services, as pricing can vary. Keep in mind costs go up for larger/heavier items.
Step 2: Ship Items to Forwarder‘s US Address
Once signed up for a forwarding service, they provide you with a unique US shipping address. When checking out on Walmart.com, select this address just like any US destination.
This means Walmart only has to ship domestically within its normal shipping zones. The forwarder you choose handles the international portion.
Step 3: Track and Monitor Shipment Progress
Closely track your packages using the tracking number from Walmart. Monitoring progress as the item ships to the forwarder‘s US location allows both sender (Walmart) and recipient (you) to identify any issues early.
From my experience, any delays or lost items are most likely to happen during domestic US shipping, before reaching the forwarder‘s warehouse.
Step 4: Receive Items in Australia
Once the forwarder receives your package in the US, they repackage and consolidate items if needed, then ship in bulk to Australia.
Depending on the service selected, you may receive items directly to your home, pickup at a local post office, or retrieve from the forwarder‘s Australian warehouse.
Walmart Alternatives for Shopping in Australia
While you can get US Walmart goods shipped to Australia, ordering locally is faster, cheaper, and doesn‘t incur international shipping fees. For the widest selection of everyday items at low prices, these major Aussie retailers offer a similar experience to Walmart:
Retailer | Key Categories | Comparison to Walmart |
---|---|---|
Kmart | Department store, homewares, clothing, toys | Very similar product assortment and value positioning |
Target | Clothing, groceries, home essentials | Closer to Walmart‘s clothing than Kmart, limited fresh food |
Big W | Toys, electronics, clothing, cleaning supplies | Owned by Woolworths, discounts not as steep as Walmart |
Costco | Bulk grocery, home/kitchen, electronics, health, and more | Similar membership model with low prices on bulk essentials |
Based on my experience analyzing product selection and pricing across retailers, Kmart comes closest to replicating the Walmart shopping experience for Australians. However, Costco is excellent for bulk savings on groceries and everyday items.
Tips for Australians to Save on Online Shopping
While no local options fully match Walmart‘s scope and prices, here are some of my top tips for Australians to save money shopping online:
- Sign up for Amazon Prime – Faster free delivery and access to Prime-only deals like Prime Day. Plus movies/TV.
- Watch for sales – Check retailer websites for daily deals and codes, especially around holidays.
- Price match – Stores like Target and Big W will match lower prices from competitors.
- Buy in bulk online – Take advantage of bulk savings when items are not perishable.
- Buy on trips to the US – Bring an empty suitcase and stock up on favorites at Walmart when visiting the US. Just don‘t forget weight limits!
The Bottom Line
Unfortunately, Australians still lack access to Walmart‘s unmatched convenience and pricing directly. But with package forwarding, shopping at Australian equivalents, and using online savings techniques, you can recreate much of the Walmart experience down under.
And who knows – with Walmart‘s track record of gradual international expansion, someday in the future we may even see stores popping up right here! As both a consumer and retail expert, I know I‘d welcome more competition and even lower prices.