Christmas shopping online? Safety tips when buying presents from overseas

Australians are shopping online for Christmas in record numbers, and they’re doing it earlier than ever.

Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveal that Aussies continue to turn to online shopping in the lead‑up to the Christmas period.

According to the ABS Retail Trade (Australia release for December 2024) total retail turnover was 4.6% higher than December 2023, reflecting strong end‑of‑year spending despite ongoing cost‑of‑living pressures.

The ABS has also noted that discount events such as Cyber Monday, which fell in early December, encouraged Australians to bring forward Christmas purchases, particularly for discretionary items such as electronics, household goods and gifts.

But it's important to remember products bought online from other countries may not always comply with Australian safety standards.

Potential risks to watch out for

All retailers are required to meet safety standards when selling in Australia, but this can be difficult to enforce across international borders.

When consumers buy goods from overseas sellers, Australian regulators may have limited ability to ensure those products meet mandatory safety standards, or to take enforcement action if something goes wrong.

In particular, when it comes to things like children’s toys, electronic goods and cosmetics, it pays to do your homework on safety when buying products online.

Unsecured button batteries and poorly manufactured items that break down into small pieces are swallowing and choking hazards for young children.

Other risks include products with poor labelling or instructions that result in them being used incorrectly and unsafely.

Safety tips for buying online

Just because you’re buying online, it doesn’t mean you can’t question the supplier about the product to ensure your family’s safety.

It’s worth asking suppliers if products from overseas comply with any mandatory safety requirements, including Australian mandatory safety standards.

Consumers can check the Product Safety Australia website for information about safety standards, product bans and product recalls.

Information about product recalls internationally can be accessed via the Global Recalls online portal.

For cosmetics and skincare products, look for items that clearly list their ingredients, particularly if there are any allergy concerns.

Online reviews can help identify potential issues, but where possible, try to read reviews across multiple sites and from different reviewers.

You should also ensure the product is legal to import into Australia, as some products like toy guns or imitation weapons may be seized by the Australian Border Force.

Finally, before purchasing, check the terms and conditions to see which country's laws apply to the manufacture and purchase of the product.

How does the law protect me as a shopper?

The Australian Consumer Law includes protections for consumers that apply equally to people who buy online and those who shop in stores.

These laws require sellers to provide certain guarantees, such as that goods are safe, free from defects and reasonably durable.

When things go wrong, consumers generally have the right to a repair, replacement or refund, regardless of the seller’s refund policy.

However, in reality, enforcing these rights can be difficult when dealing with an overseas online retailer.

To have rights under Australian consumer law it would need to be shown that the seller was “carrying on business in Australia”.

Many shoppers unfortunately find it impractical, costly or difficult to enforce their rights when purchasing from overseas sellers.

I’ve bought an unsafe product online. What next?

If you’ve experienced a safety issue with a product you’ve bought online, you should document what occurred as soon as possible. This should include photographs of the faulty product, packaging, instructions and any injuries caused.

First, contact the seller directly to raise the safety issue.

If the issue cannot be resolved, contact the consumer protection agency in your state or territory to make a complaint or seek advice on next steps.

Where serious injury has occurred, seeking legal advice early can help you understand your rights and available options. Contact us today.