Importing appliances from Europe (not UK)

Osory56 · Jun 28, 2025 10:22 am

Hi everyone

After 3 years of architecture/design/planning (lots of delays with life events and quite honestly building costs being more than we could afford), we are finally able to start building family home on the Sunshine Coast.

We are planning to source appliances, bathroom ware, architectural door hardware, and porcelain tiles from Europe. I have read all the amazing advice on the appliance importing threads (thanks all who shared their knowledge and experience). For multiple reasons I would prefer to source from EU instead of UK.

Would appreciate recommendations/experiences from anyone who may have done this. I promise to share our experiences for the benefit of others as well.

I think I can track down retailers/wholesalers (although recommendations always appreciated) but not really sure where to start with freight forwarders based in EU.

Cheers Osory

chippy · Jun 28, 2025 1:06 pm

Osory56

Hi everyone

After 3 years of architecture/design/planning (lots of delays with life events and quite honestly building costs being more than we could afford), we are finally able to start building family home on the Sunshine Coast.

We are planning to source appliances, bathroom ware, architectural door hardware, and porcelain tiles from Europe. I have read all the amazing advice on the appliance importing threads (thanks all who shared their knowledge and experience). For multiple reasons I would prefer to source from EU instead of UK.

Would appreciate recommendations/experiences from anyone who may have done this. I promise to share our experiences for the benefit of others as well.

I think I can track down retailers/wholesalers (although recommendations always appreciated) but not really sure where to start with freight forwarders based in EU.

Cheers Osory

Hey Osory

I must admit, I haven't read all the post's about importing items from Europe so I don't really know what sort of savings can be expected.
I do wonder whether it's not as viable as it once was.
By the time you convert (our dollar is so weak), transport (cost are huge since covid), pay import duties and then GST on all of that, the price climbs rapidly.
The other issue I would be concerned with is warranty and after sale service. The electric appliances may have some form of international warranty however accessing that may be more difficult. For instance we have Siemens appliances and had an issue 6 years after installation. We rang Siemens (Bosch) the had all the details of our products because they are Australian stock and they agreed to deal with the issue at their cost.
I can't help but wonder if you purchased from overseas if they would be as inclined to help.
The same goes for everything else. I would be factoring in that if anything goes wrong then you may possibly be on your own with limited opportunity to replace ike for like easily.
I'm not saying don't do it but it would need to represent significant savings before the risk would be worth it for me
What sort of savings are you expecting or is it getting items not available in Australia that appeals to you?