Key Points for Australian Consumers
- Defaults have shifted offshore: many platforms now load United States–oriented pages or global listings by default.
- Freight & Foreign Exchange (FX) are the new margin machines: high shipping fees and poor currency conversion rates pad platform revenue.
- Local sellers lose visibility: “Available to AU” blends worldwide stock, burying Australia-only offers.
- 2025 context: China→Australia ocean freight spiked mid-2025 (GRIs, blank sailings, higher landside/bio-security fees, weaker AUD), lifting replacement costs for AU-held stock.
- What you can do: CLEAR THOSE COOKIES, lock to .com.au + Australian dollars (AUD), apply Australia Only filters, and always compare landed cost (item + shipping + tax).
At a Glance
From late-2024 through 2025, major marketplaces adjusted region, currency and search defaults in ways that pushed Australian buyers toward offshore listings. That “global first” behaviour increases landed costs via higher freight and foreign-exchange conversion, while crowding out local sellers in search visibility. In mid-2025, China→Australia freight also spiked (general rate increases and capacity cuts), amplifying price rises for AU-held stock. We review platform policies, fee mechanics, regulator positions, and practical counter-measures.
Headline findings: (1) currency/site stickiness degraded — US dollars and US-oriented views appear unless you intervene; (2) default search blends “available to AU” worldwide stock; (3) fee structures (e.g., commissions calculated on shipping) and FX spreads create an incentive to normalise cross-border offers; (4) regulators (the ACCC, the EU Digital Markets Act regime, and the US Federal Trade Commission) recognise ranking-driven steerage as an unfair-trading risk; (5) mid-2025 freight shocks lifted replacement costs for AU stock; (6) you can materially reduce harm: CLEAR THOSE COOKIES, force AU context, apply Australia-Only filters, and compare true landed cost.
Introduction
Why now? Because the shopping pages you trust quietly changed: eBay occasionally presents US-oriented pages to Australians; Amazon bakes Global Store offers into AU search; AliExpress defaults to US dollars; TEMU fronts in AUD but still ships mostly from China. Small UI changes — currency, location, default filters — compound into real money at checkout. In 2025, ocean-freight and bio-security changes compounded the effect.
Scope: eBay (.com.au and global), Amazon.com.au (+ Global Store), AliExpress, TEMU; Australia-based buyers in 2024–2025. Question: Are Australians being steered toward higher-cost, offshore transactions by default site settings and ranking algorithms — and how did the 2025 freight spike amplify this?
Background & Literature
“Algorithmic steering” and “dark patterns” describe design choices that nudge users toward outcomes beneficial to the platform. Regulators have increasingly focused on marketplaces: Australia’s ACCC has highlighted algorithm-driven influence on purchasing; the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) forced Amazon to modify Buy Box behaviour; the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sued Amazon over practices that allegedly inflate prices and preference its logistics. What’s been missing is a clean, AU-specific look at currency/site defaults and the search perspective that quietly moves Aussies offshore by default — plus the exogenous freight/bio-security shocks feeding through to shelf prices in 2025.
Methodology / Approach
- Document review: platform help/policy pages; fee schedules; program updates (e.g., eBay International Shipping; Amazon Global Store).
- Regulator materials: ACCC Digital Platforms work; unfair-trading consultation; overseas actions (EU; US Federal Trade Commission).
- Market logistics review (mid-2025): carrier notices on general rate increases (GRIs), blank sailings, ABF/DAFF bio-security fee updates, and spot-rate indices.
- Anecdotal testing: user reports indicating US-page flips, site redirections, and local-only filters being deprioritised.
- Comparative reasoning: aligning fee mechanics with incentives (e.g., commissions on shipping; FX spreads; replacement-cost pricing).
Note: Anecdotal reports inform hypotheses; policy docs, fee mechanics, and carrier/government notices ground the analysis.
Findings & Analysis
How the steering works
- Ranking bias: “Available to AU” defaults blend worldwide stock; local-only views require extra steps.
- Currency defaults: US dollars or other foreign currency appears unless you reset to Australian dollars (AUD) — often cookie-dependent.
- Fee incentives: on some platforms, commissions are applied to item + shipping, turning high freight into higher platform take.
- Shipping preference: US/UK express lanes can be favoured for “reliability/speed”, inflating landed cost versus local post.
- 2025 freight shock: GRIs, blank sailings, higher landside/bio-security charges, and a softer AUD raised AU replacement costs — feeding into retail pricing for “AU-stock”.
Why prices jumped in 2025 (China→Australia freight)
Summary: Since June 2025, shipping lines lifted base rates (general rate increases/rate restorations) on the China→Australia lane and cut capacity via blank sailings. Australian landside/storage charges and bio-security fees rose (from 1 July), and a softer AUD made US-dollar freight and factory invoices land higher in A$. Import costs surged, so AU-held stock was repriced to higher replacement cost. That’s why many Amazon/eBay/Temu/Shein listings jumped and some “AU stock” items doubled.
What changed in 2025
- General Rate Increases (GRIs)/Rate restorations: Multiple carriers announced increases mid-June and mid-July, with more flagged for mid-September. See ANL/CMA CGM notices and MSC circulars.
- Capacity tightened: A wave of blank sailings from China/SE Asia reduced weekly slots into Australia, pushing up spot prices.
- Landside/storage costs: The ACCC highlights rising landside charges borne by cargo owners; demurrage/detention free-time is tighter and tariffs higher with several lines.
- Bio-security cost recovery (from 1 July 2025): ABF/DAFF raised per-declaration charges.
- AUD effect: Freight and many factory invoices are in US$; a softer AUD lifts landed A$ costs.
Timeline of key moves (mid-2025 → now)
| Date | Carrier / Policy | What changed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun 2025 | MSC | GRI ~US$125/TEU on NE Asia→AU; other lines flagged mid-June increases | CIF notice |
| 15 Jun 2025 | MSC (and others) | Further GRIs/rate restorations for mid-June windows | CIF (15 Jun) |
| 1 Jul 2025 | ZIM | Rate restoration ~US$300/TEU (NE/SE Asia→AU) | Magellan update |
| 15 Jul 2025 | MSC / ANL (CMA CGM) | Increases of ~US$300/TEU; ANL: US$300/20’ & US$600/40’ (NE Asia→AU/NZ) | Magellan, ANL notice |
| 1 Jul 2025 | ABF/DAFF | Bio-security cost recovery per Full Import Declaration (FID): $68 (sea) / $46 (air) | ACN 2025/16 |
| Aug–Sep 2025 | Market | China→AU spot rates firm while global composites ease; AU lane hits multi-month highs | Drewry WCI, DCN |
| 15 Sep 2025 | ANL (CMA CGM) | Next rate restoration: US$300/20’ & US$600/40’ (NE Asia→AU) | ANL notice |
Smart-shopping during freight spikes
- Prefer trusted local sellers (Amazon AU “Ships from/Sold by Amazon”, or AU distributors with clear returns).
- Read dispatch location & handling time; some listings ship from overseas despite “AU” in the title.
- Avoid peak cut-overs (late Sep/Oct Golden Week; Jan/Feb CNY) when blanks/surcharges spike.
- Consolidate orders; one heavier parcel can beat several small ones once base fees apply.
- Use price-history tools and cashback (e.g., Cash-rewards); consider second-hand/local substitutes for bulky, low-value items.
- Kill hidden FX — pay in AUD; if forced to US dollars, use a no-FX-fee card and decline platform conversion.
Platform snapshots
eBay (AU vs Global)
Behaviour: .com.au can resolve into US-styled pages; US dollars appear; default item location behaves like Worldwide. Impact: US/UK freight commonly dominates totals. Because final value fees include shipping, high-postage cross-border orders can increase platform revenue. Direction of travel: ongoing expansion of eBay International Shipping normalises cross-border inventory in AU search. The 2025 freight spike further raised landed costs on “AU stock,” amplifying price rises visible on eBay listings.
Amazon.com.au (incl. Global Store)
Behaviour: AUD display on AU site; Global Store offers from US/UK are blended by default and often labelled (“Ships from Amazon US”). Impact: Import Fees Deposit + longer ETAs; the Buy Box can still favour the global option if price/speed align with Amazon’s logistics. 2025 effect: higher replacement costs flowed through quickly to “Ships from Amazon AU” items as local distributors reset shelf prices.
AliExpress
Behaviour: defaults to US dollars; AUD is optional and can “forget” between sessions; China-centric catalogue with some AU warehouse options. Impact: cheap/slow economy post by default; faster shipping costs more. Less “West-steering” — bias is mainly toward whatever converts (often slow/cheap). 2025 effect: sellers offering AU-warehouse dispatch gained visibility where faster delivery was prioritised.
TEMU
Behaviour: AUD and GST-inclusive front; mostly ships from China; growing presence of AU-warehouse SKUs for speed. Impact: subsidised/free shipping; 1–2 week delivery common; algorithm prioritises conversion and engagement rather than local provenance. 2025 effect: freight spikes show up more in bulky categories; small parcels stayed relatively insulated due to app subsidies.
Cross-platform at a glance
| Platform | Default domain & currency | Search location bias | Shipping cost impact | Fees & conversion | Recent changes (’24–’25) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | .com.au can flip to .com; US dollars show unless reset | Default ≈ worldwide (must force AU-only) | US/UK freight frequently high | Fees include shipping; FX spread ~3% | International Shipping expanded; unified global experience |
| Amazon AU | AUD display; Global Store blended by default | Global offers often prominent | Import fees + slower delivery | Referral on item only; FX if shopping on .com | One-day AU expansion; EU DMA Buy Box compliance abroad |
| AliExpress | US dollars base; AUD selectable (not always sticky) | China-centric; some AU warehouses | Cheap/slow default; fast costs more | Minor conversion spread; USD base | Faster lanes + AU Post tie-ins |
| TEMU | AUD, GST-inclusive | Mostly CN; growing AU stock | Free/subsidised ship ~1–2 weeks | AUD checkout; no overt FX hit | AU presence scaling; warehousing footprint |
How to Clear Cookies Without Losing Passwords or History
Resetting cookies is the quickest way to kick sites like eBay, Amazon or AliExpress back into showing Australian defaults. But you don’t need to nuke your whole browser history or saved passwords to do it. Here’s how on modern browsers:
Google Chrome (Desktop)
- Menu (⋮) → Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data.
- Select a time range (Last hour, 24 hours, or All time).
- Check: Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files.
- Uncheck: Passwords and sign-in data, Autofill form data.
- Click Clear data.
Mozilla Firefox (Desktop)
- Menu (☰) → Settings → Privacy & Security.
- Scroll to Cookies and Site Data → click Clear Data….
- Tick: Cookies and Site Data, Cached Web Content.
- Do not tick: Logins and Saved Passwords.
- Click Clear.
Microsoft Edge
- Menu (⋮) → Settings → Privacy, search and services.
- Under “Clear browsing data,” click Choose what to clear.
- Select a time range.
- Tick: Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files.
- Untick: Passwords, Autofill data.
- Click Clear now.
Safari (macOS)
- Safari menu → Preferences → Privacy.
- Click Manage Website Data….
- Select individual sites and click Remove, or Remove All.
- Saved passwords stay in iCloud Keychain unless you delete them manually.
On Phones & Tablets
- Chrome (iOS/Android): Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data → only tick Cookies/Site data & Cache.
- Safari (iOS): Settings app → Safari → Advanced → Website Data → Remove specific sites. Or use Clear History & Website Data (clears more broadly).
After clearing, re-set your preferred defaults: .com.au domain, Australian dollars (AUD), and “Australia Only” filters so new cookies remember them.
Discussion
Competition: local sellers lose visibility in “global default” search; scale advantages (reviews, fulfilment, speed) tilt results to offshore inventory. Consumer welfare: landed costs rise via freight and FX; time-to-door increases; choice becomes opaque without extra diligence. Sovereignty: overseas rule-books (the EU Digital Markets Act; the US Federal Trade Commission’s actions) are moving; Australia’s unfair-trading reforms should squarely address default steering and ranking opacity.
Winners: platforms (higher take per order), large cross-border sellers, logistics partners. Losers: Australian SMEs, community retailers, buyers who don’t notice the defaults.
Brief outlook for freight-driven price pressure:
Near-term (next 6–12 months): Given 2025’s General Rate Increases, blank sailings, higher landside/storage fees and bio-security charges, it’s reasonable to expect a further ~5–20% rise in China→Australia sea-freight by early 2026. Peaks around holiday restocking and any AUD softness against the US dollar can amplify landed costs. Short, sharp spikes remain possible if weather or geopolitical risks (e.g., rerouting/insurance surcharges) flare up.
Medium view (mid–late 2026): If carriers unwind blank sailings, deploy capacity, and congestion eases, rates may stabilise. But even modest ocean-rate moves flow through disproportionately at checkout: stacked fees (shipping/handling/insurance), FX conversion, and slower turns lift replacement-cost pricing. Expect platforms and sellers to pass through most of these costs, especially on bulky or time-sensitive items.
Scenario guide (40' Containers China→AU)
- Low case: +5% ≈ US$3,050
- Base case: +15% ≈ US$3,335
- High case (shock): +30% ≈ US$3,770
Ultimately
Defaults moved; algorithms steer; Australians pay. Until reforms bite, the fix is vigilance and habit. The playbook is simple: CLEAR THOSE COOKIES; lock .com.au + Australian dollars (AUD); enable Australia-Only; sort by landed cost; and report misleading defaults to the ACCC. Australia-first here isn’t politics — it’s consumer self-defence.
- CLEAR THOSE COOKIES → force
.com.au, set Australian dollars (AUD), switch Item location: Australia Only. - Compare landed cost (item + shipping + tax/import). Avoid “Best Match” if it keeps pushing offshore.
- Kill hidden FX — pay in AUD; if forced to US dollars, use a no-FX-fee card and decline platform conversion.
- Prefer local-first (Gumtree/FB Marketplace/Catch/MyDeal) when speed and certainty matter.
- Complain — ACCC report when defaults/currency/location cues mislead.
References / Notes
- Regulators & policy: ACCC Digital Platforms work (unfair trading; ranking & choice architecture). EU Digital Markets Act (DMA). US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) actions.
- Platform documentation: Amazon Global Store (Import Fees), eBay fee schedules (commissions on item + shipping), eBay International Shipping updates.
- Community indicators: user reports of US-page flips / site redirection and global-by-default search behaviour.
- Freight & logistics (mid-2025):
- ANL rate restorations: 15 Jul 2025 — link · 15 Sep 2025 — link
- Magellan Logistics — Freight Market Update, July 2025 — link
- MSC GRIs via CIF circulars: 1 Jun 2025 — link · 15 Jun 2025 — link
- Transitainer WA — Blank sailings explainer — link
- ACCC — Container stevedoring monitoring report 2023–24 (PDF) — link
- ABF — Australian Customs Notice 2025/16 (PDF) — link · DAFF IFN 05-25 — link · Bio-security CRIS 2025–26 (PDF) — link
- Drewry — World Container Index — link · DCN — China–Australia rates at 24-week high — link
Disclosure: External links above point to original carrier notices, government pages and reputable industry sources.
Rates are indicative; real all-in prices vary by service, space, equipment, ports and surcharges.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to all contributors who shared screenshots, tests, and purchase experiences, document creation and formulation edits.
Appendices
- SKU test logs (price + shipping + tax across platforms).
- Screenshots of currency flips and search filters.
- Extended comparison tables.
Author Bio & Contact
By D Mackenzie — Community consumer advocate
Dave Mackenzie is a community advocate for Morangup 6083 W.A, the Wheatbelt, Avon and Greater Perth Eastern Hills regions, focusing on digital consumer protection and local governance. Contact via the Morangup Facebook page or site contact forms.